opening speech for meeting

Big AI feature updates coming September 10 ✨

How you begin a meeting matters. Explore the dos and don’ts of meeting introductions, and learn how you can use the IEEF framework to begin each meeting the right way.

What do a flustered host, the lack of a meeting agenda , and confused employees all have in common? They all indicate that a meeting is off to a bad start. 

We’ve all attended meetings where we knew from the start that our time would be wasted. For a meeting to be productive , it must be organized, have a clear purpose, and have a prepared agenda. 

If you regularly lead team sessions or one-on-ones, or you may need to host a meeting sometime soon, it’s important to learn how to introduce yourself in meetings. Read on to explore why the beginning of a meeting is important, learn the do’s and don’ts of meeting introductions, view examples of how you can begin a meeting on the right foot, and see some creative examples of how you can begin each meeting meaningfully. 

• Why is the start of a meeting so important?

Dos and don’ts of meeting introductions

• Meeting introduction steps and examples

Ways to start a meeting

How to start a meeting using the ieei framework, start meetings off on the right foot with fellow, why is the start of a meeting so important .

The beginning of a meeting sets the tone and introduces the major themes for the entire session. On one hand, if a meeting host makes it clear at the beginning that they’re unprepared, attendees may take it as a clear sign that the meeting won’t be valuable. An organized host, on the other hand, shows employees that their attendance and efforts are valued and that the session will run smoothly. 

Meeting introductions can transform the effectiveness of your meetings

How a meeting begins can significantly influence engagement. Meeting introductions should briefly outline the meeting’s purpose and objectives, ensuring everyone is on the same page. With AI-generated meeting agendas, you get custom recommendations for impactful introductions based on meeting type, tone, and participants. Save time on preparation and get inspired with Fellow today!

If you want ideas on how to open a meeting, here are a few creative and engaging ways you can begin a meeting the right way:

• Celebrate wins
• Surprise your team with a fact or statistic
• Share a memorable quote
• Tell a personal anecdote

1 Celebrate wins

Set a positive tone for your meeting by encouraging attendees to celebrate big and small wins. For example, the host could begin by congratulating the group on the recent success of a project, acknowledging a new hire, or giving an individual praise for leading a specific task. Alternatively, the meeting host can ask that each person give a shoutout to another member of the team. In doing so, the meeting host may lead attendees to begin associating group sessions with good news and team progress instead of boredom and mundane status updates. 

2 Surprise your team with a fact or statistic

An interesting way to begin each meeting is by offering the group a surprising statistic or fun fact to get everyone’s attention. The stat can be relevant to the meeting topic or completely irrelevant, depending on what tone you want to set. For example, if you want to captivate the group and make them smile, you can offer up a random fun fact like, “Did you know that avocados are a fruit, not a vegetable?” and ask that everyone else does the same. If you want to make the group feel motivated or get them thinking about the meeting topic, you can tell the group a statistic about your industry or organization. 

3 Share a memorable quote

Everyone loves a good quote! Quotes represent everything that people want to say but don’t know how. At the beginning of your next meeting , offer up a motivational or positive quote to deliver wisdom and provide a quick morale boost through well-worded thoughts. If you’re a “to the point” kind of leader, something quick-witted like, “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary” might work. Alternatively, if your team is facing any kind of adversity, a quote like, “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell and got back up again” might work well. 

4 Tell a personal anecdote

You can use the start of a meeting as an exercise in storytelling. If you want to grasp your attendees’ attention, share a real-life experience about a personal success, professional roadblock, or anticipated event. Discuss an experience that relates to the meeting topic, the group’s interests, or the team’s values. For instance, you can share a story about how a recent news event relates to your meeting topic, discuss new and exciting developments in your field, or tell a story about a recent professional success of yours. 

Consider these dos and don’ts when kickstarting a meeting. Keeping these in mind will help you get things off to a productive and meaningful start.

• Don’t take too long. Remember to be respectful of attendees’ time and keep in mind that some may have a meeting after the one you’re leading. Keep the introduction short and sweet.
• Do include attendees. Try using the word “you” to get people excited about participating and having a conversation. Doing so will also highlight what’s in the discussion for them.
• Don’t overpromise or exaggerate. Be as transparent as you can regarding the state of the project and don’t promise unrealistic results by the end of the meeting.
• Do get creative. Done well, the introduction can be a time for you to have some fun and get attendees comfortable around one another. 
• Do use Fellow for your introduction meeting agenda . 

Meeting introduction steps and examples 

Ready to kickstart the meeting with an introduction that sets the tone? Here are four steps for leading a meeting introduction, plus how to apply them to both informal and formal settings.

• Start with an introduction
• Announce the subject and duration of the meeting
• Explain the purpose
• Explain why the participants were chosen to be there

1 Start with an introduction

It’s a good idea to start a virtual or in-person meeting by greeting everyone and introducing yourself. This can be especially helpful if there are attendees who may not know you because they’re new to the organization, or if you’re stepping in for someone else as the meeting facilitator . 

• Informal: Hi everybody, I’m [your name], [your role] at [company name]. Thanks for joining the call today! I know most of you, but there are a few new faces! I’m excited to get started.
• Formal: Hello everyone, and thanks for joining. My name is [your name], and I’m the [your role] at [company name]. I appreciate everyone’s punctuality at this meeting. Let’s get started.

2 Announce the subject and duration of the meeting

Next, you’ll want to make sure everyone is aware of the subject of the meeting so they have an understanding of what’s about to be discussed. You should also mention how long the meeting will last.

• Informal: We’re all here to discuss our very exciting upcoming product launch! This meeting should last about an hour.
• Formal: Today, we’re going to talk about our new product launch. The meeting will last an hour.

3 Explain the purpose

Once the subject matter and duration have been established, touch on the purpose of the meeting . The last thing you’ll want is for attendees to be unsure why the meeting is taking place. Even though you should have had a clear purpose outlined in the agenda sent out before, it’s a good idea to remind everyone before the meeting gets started.

• Informal: When we’re done here today, we will have outlined a product launch schedule and assigned roles to everyone.
• Formal: Before this meeting concludes, a product launch schedule will have been established, in addition to everyone’s roles to make the launch a success.

4 Explain why the participants were chosen to be there

Finally, go over why all of the meeting participants were chosen to be there. You don’t necessarily need to go person by person, especially if the meeting has a high number of attendees, but a brief comment about who is meeting will suffice.

• Informal: You’re all here because everyone in this room/on this call will play a huge part in ensuring the product launch is a success!
• Formal: Everyone in attendance today will play an integral part in launching the product on time to our customers. 

You’re not limited to the IEEI framework, as there are other ways to start a meeting that can be considered. Consider these six alternatives if you’re looking for other ways to start a meeting. 

• Make use of meeting templates
• Leverage small talk
• Use icebreakers
• Reiterate ground rules
• Outline the objectives
• Share quick status updates

1 Make use of meeting templates

Get your meetings off to the right start by leveraging Fellow’s extensive library of expert-approved meeting templates , with pre-loaded meeting introduction sections for icebreakers or introductions. Check out our Remote Team Meeting Template or Hybrid Team Meeting Template to help you set a positive tone from the get-go.

2 Leverage small talk

People often roll their eyes when conversations veer into small talk—there are only so many times you can chat about the weather or your weekend plans. But small talk doesn’t have to be boring! Leveraging it the right way can help attendees know one another better.

Consider these outside-the-box small talk questions :

• Are you reading any good books right now?
• What’s your go-to comfort food?
• Would you rather have four ten-hour work days or five eight-hour work days?

Similar to an icebreaker, small talk is a great way to share a short conversation with attendees. 

3 Roll call

If the meeting you’re introducing is with a smaller group, taking attendance out loud is probably unnecessary. It’s likely that the person taking the meeting minutes will know everyone on a first-name basis and can note who is present and who isn’t in attendance.

If you’re leading a larger meeting that’s in person, you may choose to send around an attendance sheet. If someone vital to the matter being discussed is absent, it may be necessary to apologize for their absence and provide a short explanation as to why they’re not there. 

An example of this is: You’ll probably notice that [name of CEO] isn’t here today as they were called away on business.

4 Use icebreakers

You can also lean on icebreakers to start a meeting. These team-building questions can foster trust and build psychological safety with one another. There are a ton of options you can choose from! Some of our favorites are:

• What are your hobbies outside of work?
• What is your favorite thing to cook?
• What is your favorite reality TV show?
• Where is your dream vacation?
• Where is your favorite sit-down restaurant? 

You may be surprised by the attendees’ answers!

5 Reiterate ground rules

You can also start the meeting off by reminding everyone of the meeting ground rules . These are the standards or guidelines set up ahead of time that the attendees should follow for the meeting to be as productive and successful as possible. 

Some examples of meeting ground rules are:

• State your name before you begin speaking
• Stay 100% focused during the meeting by avoiding incoming emails, direct messages, and text messages
• Never interrupt the individual who is speaking or sharing a point
• Come prepared with action items to discuss with the team
• Stay on topic to allow enough time for everything on the agenda
• Have your camera on when it’s your turn to speak during a virtual meeting

6 Outline the objectives

Another alternative is to include an outline of the meeting objectives during the introduction. It’s far too common for attendees to join a meeting feeling like they have no idea what’s about to be discussed and what they’re expected to bring to the table. Establishing clear and concise objectives before a meeting starts can help avoid this confusion.

Some examples of how you can outline the objective during the meeting introduction are:

• “Thanks for joining this meeting! Today’s objective is to create a plan of action surrounding the new recruiting strategy for open positions that we’re looking to hire for this quarter.”
• “Thank you everyone for being on time for today’s meeting. The objective today is to develop a new plan to reduce customer churn in the second half of the year.”
• “Hi everyone! Thanks for joining on time. The objective today is to plan for the upcoming holiday party and discuss the theme, menu, and yearly awards.”

7 Share quick status updates

Finally, sharing quick but informative status updates is another great way to start things off. Depending on how many people are in attendance, you can have everyone share two to three sentences about where they are on a project or initiative or, for larger meetings, have the leader of each team or department share pertinent updates on a need-to-know basis. This keeps everyone informed and accountable for what is being worked on by each team.

Too often, meeting hosts start sessions by diving straight into the first meeting agenda item. An ineffective beginning can set a negative tone for the remainder of the meeting, which is why it’s so important to start the meeting on the right foot. 

At the start of each session, the host should state the purpose of the meeting, quickly review the agenda, and ask participants if they have any questions. One way leaders can learn how to address a meeting is by incorporating the IEEI framework into each group session. 

IEEI stands for Inform, Excite, Empower, and Involve. Use this abbreviation as a reminder of what to include in the opening of your meeting remarks. 

At the beginning of the meeting, the host should inform attendees of the purpose of the meeting and the objective the group is striving to achieve. Let participants know why they’re there and what the group will have once the meeting is done to keep everyone on track. The start of the meeting should help participants understand why they’re in attendance and how their contributions during the session will help the group achieve its goals. 

If helpful, you can use an opening line like, “The purpose of this meeting is to… At the end of the meeting, I want the group to have achieved…” to set the tone. 

In the second part of your meeting introduction, let attendees know why they should care about the topic at hand. Without excitement, morale and engagement may be low. in your opening remarks and meeting greetings, strive to use the words “you” and “your” multiple times in your opening remarks to indicate what’s in it for your participants. 

Here is an example of opening remarks you can give as the host to excite the attendees:

• “Hello everyone! Thank you for joining me this morning to discuss our team’s hiring process. The purpose of the meeting is to simplify our recruiting process. When the meeting ends, this group will have three key OKRs to simplify our overall hiring process, a game plan for how to speed up our hiring moving forward, and a step-by-step process to procure new recruitment software. This is exciting because if we achieve these meeting objectives, this team will walk away with a newly simplified hiring process to make our work more efficient!”

In the third step of the IEEI framework, ensure that all attendees are clear of the power they hold while in the meeting space. Empowering your teammates and stakeholders will encourage them to speak up and offer their thoughts, ideas, and insights. While you shouldn’t be corny, offering a simple, empowering statement in your opening remarks can be beneficial. 

Here are a few meeting introduction ideas you can use to empower your meeting attendees:

• “You’re all here because your manager thought you were the best employees to work on this specific project. I’m really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how we can move forward today and reach our goals!”
• “Our team is looking to all of you for your candid feedback and expertise on how we can ensure this new initiative is a success.”
• “Senior management is looking to this group to create recommendations that will guide the company’s mission and values into the future.”

The final step of the framework is to involve attendees in the meeting conversation early so they are eager to participate throughout. At this stage, the meeting host should ask a question tied to the meeting’s objective . The goal of this step is to create an open and collaborative environment for everyone to contribute. 

Here are a few examples of involvement questions you can ask meeting attendees:

• “If we’re going to achieve the outlined objective, there are a few key issues we should address in advance. Let’s have a conversation about these. In order to be successful today, what specifically must we address first?”
• “Now that you understand what we hope to achieve today, what other outcomes would you like to see come out of today’s session?”
• “It’s been a while since we’ve had a group session. Let’s begin by going around the table and having everyone give a quick one-minute update.”
• “What would make you say, “That was an amazing meeting!” at the end of this session?” 

If you regularly lead team meetings or 1-on-1s, learning how to start a meeting impactfully is crucial. To take your meeting introductions to the next level, leverage Fellow as your all-in-one meeting management software. Fellow offers AI-generated meeting agendas and custom recommendations to help you craft thoughtful and impactful introductions.

With our extensive library of expert-approved meeting templates , complete with designated introduction sections and icebreakers, you can set an engaging tone right from the start. You can also gather insights post-meeting with the meeting feedback feature on how the introductions and the overall meeting were perceived. This allows for continuous improvement of the meeting process. Start optimizing your meeting habits today!

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How to Start a Speech: 7 Tips and Examples for a Captivating Opening

1. choosing the right opening line.

Finding the perfect opening line for your speech is important in grabbing your audience’s attention. A strong opening line sets the stage for the points you want to make and helps you establish a connection with your listeners.

1. Start with a question

Engage your audience from the very beginning by asking them a thought-provoking question related to your topic. This approach encourages them to think, and it can create a sense of anticipation about what’s coming next.

• “Have you ever wondered how much time we spend on our phones every day?”

2. Share a personal story

A relatable personal story can create an emotional connection with your audience. Make sure your story is short, relevant to your speech, and ends with a clear point.

• “When I was a child, my grandmother used to tell me that every kind deed we do plants a seed of goodness in the world. It was this philosophy that inspired me to start volunteering.”

3. Use a quote or a statistic

Incorporate a powerful quote or an intriguing statistic at the outset of your speech to engage your audience and provide context for your topic.

• “As the great Maya Angelou once said, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'”

4. Make them laugh

Injecting a little humor into your opening line puts everyone at ease and makes your speech more memorable. Just make sure your joke is relevant and doesn’t offend your audience.

• “They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but if the doctor is cute, forget the fruit!”

5. Paint a mental picture

Draw your audience in by describing a vivid scene or painting an illustration in their minds. This creates an immersive experience that makes it easier for your audience to follow your speech.

• “Picture this: you’re walking down the beach, and you look out on the horizon. The sun is setting, and the sky is a breathtaking canvas of reds, oranges, and pinks.”

2. Using a Personal Story

Sharing a personal story can be a highly effective way to engage your audience from the very beginning of your speech. When you open your talk with a powerful, relatable story, it helps create an emotional connection with your listeners, making them more invested in what you have to say.

Think about an experience from your life that is relevant to the topic of your speech. Your story doesn’t have to be grand or dramatic, but it should be clear and vivid. Include enough detail to paint a picture in your audience’s minds, but keep it concise and on point.

The key to successfully using a personal story is to make it relatable. Choose a situation that your audience can empathize with or easily understand. For example, if you’re giving a speech about overcoming adversity, you could talk about a time where you faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge and overcame it.

Make sure to connect your story to the main point or theme of your speech. After sharing your experience, explain how it relates to the topic at hand, and let your audience see the relevance to their own lives. This will make your speech more impactful and show your listeners why your personal story holds meaning.

3. Making a Shocking Statement

Starting your speech with a shocking statement can instantly grab your audience’s attention. This technique works especially well when your speech topic relates to a hot-button issue or a controversial subject. Just make sure that the statement is relevant and true, as false claims may damage your credibility.

For example, “Believe it or not, 90% of startups fail during their first five years in the market.” This statement might surprise your listeners and make them more receptive to your ideas on how to avoid pitfalls and foster a successful business.

So next time you’re crafting a speech, consider opening with a powerful shocking statement. It could be just the thing to get your audience sitting up and paying full attention. (Try to keep your shocking statement relevant to your speech topic and factual to enhance your credibility.)

4. Using Humor

Humor can be an excellent way to break the ice and grab your audience’s attention. Opening your speech with a funny story or a joke can make a memorable first impression. Just be sure to keep it relevant to your topic and audience.

A good joke can set a light-hearted tone, lead into the importance of effective time management, and get your audience engaged from the start.

When using humor in your speech, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Be relatable: Choose a story or joke that your audience can easily relate to. It will be more engaging and connect your listeners to your message.
• Keep it appropriate: Make sure the humor fits the occasion and audience. Stay away from controversial topics and avoid offending any particular group.
• Practice your delivery: Timing and delivery are essential when telling a joke. Practice saying it out loud and adjust your pacing and tone of voice to ensure your audience gets the joke.
• Go with the flow: If your joke flops or doesn’t get the reaction you were hoping for, don’t panic or apologize. Simply move on to the next part of your speech smoothly, and don’t let it shake your confidence.
• Don’t overdo it: While humor can be useful in capturing your audience’s attention, remember that you’re not a stand-up comedian. Use it sparingly and focus on getting your message across clearly and effectively.

5. Incorporating a Quote

When you want to start your speech with a powerful quote, ensure that the quote is relevant to your topic. Choose a quote from a credible source, such as a famous historical figure, a well-known author, or a respected expert in your field. This will not only grab your audience’s attention but also establish your speech’s credibility.

For example, if you’re giving a speech about resilience, you might use this quote by Nelson Mandela: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Once you’ve found the perfect quote, integrate it smoothly into your speech’s introduction. You can briefly introduce the source of the quote, providing context for why their words are significant. For example:

Nelson Mandela, an inspirational leader known for his perseverance, once said: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

When you’re incorporating a quote in your speech, practice your delivery to ensure it has the intended impact. Focus on your tone, pace, and pronunciation. By doing so, you can convey the quote’s meaning effectively and connect with your audience emotionally.

Connect the quote to your main points by briefly explaining how it relates to the subject matter of your speech. By creating a natural transition from the quote to your topic, you can maintain your audience’s interest and set the stage for a compelling speech.

In our resilience example, this could look like:

“This quote by Mandela beautifully illustrates the power of resilience. Today, I want to share with you some stories of remarkable individuals who, like Mandela, overcame obstacles and rose every time they fell. Through their experiences, we might learn how to cultivate our own resilience and make the most of life’s challenges.”

6. Starting with a Question

Opening your speech with a question can be a great way to engage your audience from the start. This strategy encourages your listeners to think and become active participants in your presentation. Your opening question should be related to your core message, sparking their curiosity, and setting the stage for the following content. Here are a few examples:

• For a motivational speech : “Have you ever wondered what you would do if you couldn’t fail?”
• For a business presentation : “What’s the biggest challenge your team faces daily, and how can we overcome it?”
• For an educational talk : “How does the way we use technology today impact the future of our society?”

When choosing the right starting question, consider your audience. You want to ask something that is relevant to their experiences and interests. The question should be interesting enough to draw their attention and resonate with their emotions. For instance, if you’re presenting to a group of entrepreneurs, gear your question towards entrepreneurship, and so on.

To boost your question’s impact, consider using rhetorical questions. These don’t require a verbal response, but get your audience thinking about their experiences or opinions. Here’s an example:

• For an environmental speech : “What kind of world do we want to leave for our children?”

After posing your question, take a moment to let it sink in, and gauge the audience’s reaction. You can also use a brief pause to give the listeners time to think about their answers before moving on with your speech.

7. Acknowledging the Occasion

When starting a speech, you can acknowledge the occasion that brought everyone together. This helps create a connection with your audience and sets the stage for the rest of your speech. Make sure to mention the event name, its purpose, and any relevant individuals or groups you would like to thank for organizing it. For example:

“Hello everyone, and welcome to the 10th annual Charity Gala Dinner. I’m truly grateful to the fundraising committee for inviting me to speak tonight.”

After addressing the event itself, include a brief personal touch to show your connection with the topic or the audience. This helps the audience relate to you and gain interest in what you have to say. Here’s an example:

“As a long-time supporter of this cause, I am honored to share my thoughts on how we can continue making a difference in our community.”

Next, give a brief overview of your speech so the audience knows what to expect. This sets the context and helps them follow your points. You could say something like:

“Tonight, I’ll be sharing my experiences volunteering at the local food bank and discussing the impact of your generous donations.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective opening lines for speeches.

A powerful opening line will grab your audience’s attention and set the stage for the rest of your speech. Some effective opening lines include:

• Start with a bold statement: “The world needs your creativity now more than ever.”
• Share a surprising fact: “Did you know that the average person spends (…) years of their life at work?”
• Pose a thought-provoking question: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
• Tell a short, engaging story: “When I was 10 years old, I discovered my passion for baking in my grandmother’s kitchen.”

Can you provide examples of engaging introductions for speeches?

• Use humor: “As a kid, I believed that 7 pm bedtime was a form of torture. Now, as an adult, I find myself dreaming of 7 pm bedtime.”
• Share a personal experience: “On a trip to Italy, I found myself lost in the winding streets of a small village. It was there, amidst my confusion, that I stumbled upon the best gelato I’d ever tasted.”
• Use an analogy: “Starting a new business is like taking a journey into the unknown. There will be challenges to overcome, and you’ll need resilience, determination, and a strong compass.”

Which speech styles can make a powerful impact on the audience?

Different speech styles will resonate with different audiences. Some styles to consider include:

• Inspirational: Motivate your audience to take action or overcome challenges.
• Storytelling: Share personal experiences or anecdotes to illustrate your points and keep listeners engaged.
• Educational: Provide useful information and insights to help your audience learn or grow.
• Persuasive: Present a compelling argument to convince your audience to adopt a particular perspective or take specific action.

How do successful speakers establish a connection with their listeners?

Establishing a connection with your listeners is key to delivering an impactful speech. Some ways to connect with your audience include:

• Show empathy: Demonstrating understanding and concern for your audience’s feelings and experiences will generate a sense of trust and connection.
• Be relatable: Share personal stories or examples that allow your audience to see themselves in your experiences, thus making your speech more relatable.
• Keep it genuine: Avoid overrehearsing or coming across as scripted. Instead, strive for authenticity and flexibility in your delivery.
• Encourage participation: Engaging your audience through questions, activities, or conversation can help build rapport and make them feel more involved.

What are some techniques for maintaining a friendly and professional tone in speeches?

To maintain a friendly and professional tone in your speeches, consider these tips:

• Balance humor and seriousness: Use humor to lighten the mood and engage your audience, but make sure to also cover the serious points in your speech.
• Speak naturally: Use your everyday vocabulary and avoid jargon or overly formal language when possible.
• Show respect: Acknowledge differing opinions and experiences, and treat your audience with courtesy and fairness.
• Provide useful information: Offer valuable insights and solutions to your audience’s concerns, ensuring they leave your speech feeling more informed and empowered.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in Leadership [Examples, Tips]
• Effective Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace (Examples)
• Empathy: Definition, Types, and Tips for Effective Practice
• How to Improve Key Communication Skills
• 38 Empathy Statements: Examples of Empathy
• What is Self Compassion? (Exercises, Methods, Examples)

9 Killer Speech Openers to Start a Talk or Presentation.​

Danny Riley 8 min read

What you’ll learn:

• The importance of a “killer” speech opening.
• 9 powerful speech openers and how to use them.
• Examples from great speakers you can learn from.

Great speech openers hook your audience.

“ Well begun is half done” – Mary Poppins.

A killer speech opener will make the difference between a presentation that makes you soar or your audience snore .

I’ve researched the whole web to find nine killer speech openers to make your audience lean in and listen rather than tune out and daydream.

You’ll see how masters of the craft have used them, and how you can too.

Number seven takes chutzpah to pull off. Ready for the whole list of killer speech openers?

The Shock Opener

One of the best ways to open your speech with a buzz is to startle or shock them.

You can shock an audience in many ways, but they all rest on the major senses of V.A.K.S:

•  Visual
• Kinaesthetic (touch) 

We don’t want your audience tasting your talk, but it should leave a good taste in their mouths.

Changing Minds suggests asking if the audience is awake after appearing from a flash bang and a cloud of smoke, and this might work for you if you’re a magician or playing some kind of character for your speech like a genie.

Suppose you aren’t going for the magic angle. 

In that case, you can shock them on a psychological level instead, as Conor Neill recommends, and tell your audience a surprising fact or statistic that makes them question their thinking or beliefs.

“Did you know that half the water on earth is older than the sun?”

Questions like these will shake an audience awake and turn on their critical thinking nervous-system.

Don’t take my word for it; you can see an incredible demonstration of the shock opener in Mohammed Qahtani’s speech, The Power of Words .

Qahtani opens by taking out a cigarette and placing it into his mouth before trying to light it. The audience is so shocked that they gasp and tell him to stop.

Remember, if your audience is shocked, they are listening.

Your audience doesn’t always have to be jolted to attention with a shock opener, though you can use a more subtle approach to grab their focus. 

Ready to speak with confidence ? We offer virtual & in-person coaching.

The story opener.

You can set the tone of your speech instantly with a story .

In Hollywood, filmmakers and directors use an ‘establishing shot’ to set the tone and theme of the entire film.

When creating your speech, think of a short story that sums up your talk.

Maybe you tell half the story to begin with, and then the other half at the end. 

The important thing is your tale must be relatable . If your audience can’t imagine themselves in the story, they won’t be engaged.

We all experience very similar things in life: 

• We all went to school and had a teacher we loved
• We all have parents who loved us or made mistakes in our upbringing
• We all had a first crush.

We are all cut from the same cloth, so it’s good to be reminded that others are going through what we face or think as we do.

Bryan Stevenson does a stellar job of recounting his mischievous grandmother in his TED talk, We need to talk about an injustice .

The best thing is, you can combine a story-opener with any other speech opener in this list.

It’s truly versatile.

One of my favourite speech openers is next, though.

The Intrigue Opener

I love this speech opener.

What better way to hook your audience than to intrigue them with mystery or a juicy secret?

Have a look at Daniel Pink’s TED Talk The puzzle of motivation . After he begins, Pink, looking like a guilty man sent to the gallows, tells his audience:

“I need to confess something, at the outset here. A little over 20 years ago, I did something I regret. Something I’m not particularly proud of”.

Wow. How intriguing, right?

You have to admit; you want to know what he’s about to confess.

Choose every sentence, every word, and every mark of punctuation to increase the tantalisation temperature.

Whether it’s a secret or confession, the Intrigue Opener piques just enough curiosity in your audience to keep them from checking WhatsApp.

As humans, we need closure.

We do not like open loops.

That’s why it is both enthralling and aggravating when someone plays on our need to be sure.

Just as we cannot stand an open loop, we are instantly engaged when someone gives us a puzzle to solve.

You’ll notice the best speeches, books, TV shows, and films do not spoon-feed you all the information.

I’ve always liked the way Malcolm Gladwell writes his non-fiction books, because they contain puzzles that you solve as a reader.

This puzzle needs to be related to the speech or presentation you’re delivering, of course. It cannot be a random puzzle and will ideally be impossible or extremely difficult to solve at first.

After the speech begins, and the puzzle is revealed, you should slowly drop hints on how to solve the mystery.

Up next, speech openers that use a physical object to create curiosity in the audience’s mind.

The Prop Opener

One of the most potent ways you will captivate your audience is to use a powerful prop in your opening address.

What better way to capture an audience’s imagination than to show them a mysterious or beautiful object?

If you’ve never seen the Prop Opener done well, then have a look at one of the greatest speeches of all time:

Dananjaya Hettiarachchi’s, See Something .

Danajaya enters with a simple rose in his breast pocket, takes it out, gazes at it nostalgically, smells it and then begins to speak.

This same prop appears again right at the end of his speech to end his talk with a flourish.

There are many different props you can use.

JJ Abrams used a Mystery Box to absorb the audience’s attention, and used the box as a metaphor for his entire career.

If you think the prop opener is just for TED Talks and Toastmasters Final Speeches, remember that most company product launch centre around one or more props.

Steve Jobs revealed his new products in ever-innovative ways.

Still, while the last two speeches I’ve mentioned opened with physical items, most of Jobs’s presentations built intrigue through the sight of the product.

So remember, you can use an object, or tease your audience with the absence of a prop, but make that prop integral to your talk.

You don’t always have to use a prop, of course. 

A more minimalist approach to opening your speech uses the best audience reaction a speaker can receive: laughter.

The Funny Opener

Using laughter to win over your audience is the golden ticket to immediate rapport with your audience.

Jack Schafer, PhD at Psychology Today, said that People Will Like You If You Make Them Laugh , which seems obvious, but at least you know we have scientists on the case. 

He also mentions that constructing humour requires and projects a high level of intelligence .

Of course, laughter is subjective, but it is also infectious, and if you get enough members of your audience to titter, it will spread across the whole group.

If you want to see just how quickly you can win an audience over with humour, have a look at Ken Robinson’s subtle but delightful ability to raise a chuckle in his speech Do Schools Kill Creativity? 

Ken’s ability to speak conversationally to an audience of thousands is genuinely remarkable.

If you break down his humour, it is easy to see how you could include similar content in your presentations. 

Whether you can pull it off as well as Ken is another story.

Not everyone feels like they can be a comedian, though; I get that. 

Well, that’s alright because there are other ways to open your talk that play on other strong emotions.

You can inspire your audience, too.

The Inspirational Opener

One of my favourite ways to help beginner speakers to open their presentation is with a quote.

A quote acts like a story in that it sets the tone and theme of your speech, but it takes much less effort and even less skill.

An effective quote is usually only one line long and supported by the credibility of the original author who uttered those words.

Watch the way Clint Smith opens his TED Talk  The Danger of Silence .

Using Martin Luther King’s voice to start his speech gives Clint what psychologists call the transference effect .

Just by citing someone else, especially someone admired and famous, you redirect the emotions an audience have towards that person onto yourself.

One caveat to using quotes, though:

Fact check them . I cringe whenever I see someone incorrectly quoting someone.

Have you ever heard the quote by Albert Einstein:

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results”?

A great quote, isn’t it?

But Albert Einstein never said those words .

A quick check on Reuters will help you add more credibility to your inspirational opener.

Finally, try to use a quote few people have ever heard. Inspiring words have been filling the archives of history for millennia. Seek out something that has been left dusty on the shelf, rather than the same recycled iterations.

Next, let’s look at a type of bold speech opener that take real chutzpah to land well.

The Perspective Shift Opener

A powerful speech opener that will take confidence is the perspective shift opener.

This opener will lead the audience in one direction before changing direction and setting a new pace for the speech.

Cameron Russel does a fantastic job of controlling the frame in her TED Talk, Looks aren’t everything. Believe me; I’m a model.

Russel takes to the stage dressed in a skimpy dress and begins to tell the audience about her career, but then does a rapid wardrobe change on stage in front of the entire audience. 

This change of dress sets a new tone, feel, and direction for the speech.

If you can change the audience’s perspective or frame of reality, you are in the driving seat.

One of the best things you can hope for as a speaker is moving hearts and changing minds. 

If you aren’t a confident speaker, start small.

Vanessa Van Edwards suggests never mentioning how nervous you are. 

It’s distracting and makes the audience pick up on all the subtle nervous energy and cues you give off. Control the frame instead and act cool and confident: they will buy into it.

Another great way to hold frame control over an audience is by using the power of silence .

The Silence Opener

Silence is a valuable commodity in today’s noisy and distracting digital world.

Creating silence at the beginning of your talk can profoundly affect your audience and their focus.

Did you ever have a teacher at school who used silence effectively?

When my English classmates were noisy, our teacher Mr Rylance would hold up his hand for silence. 

Slowly, we would settle down and focus on his raised hand. 

A few would giggle, but that would peter out until we all sat in a hypnotic stillness.

If you want to see an example of how to use silence, then look at Neal Glitterman’s speech The Power of Silence .

You can see how much gravity silence can have , especially as a speech opener.

The final killer opener I want to introduce you to is the big promise opener.

The Big Promise Opener

I believe that all speeches and presentations should contain a big promise, as it tells your audience why they should keep on listening.

Ideally, your big promise will be your speech title or phrase that pays, which is a recurring foundational phrase you will use throughout your presentation.

A big promise is your way of making a deal with the audience : you listen to me, and you’ll get something in return.

Creating a big promise at the beginning of your speech is like adding a teaser trailer to the beginning of a TV show. It suggests a reason you should stick around.

When Arthur Benjamin introduces his talk Faster than a calculator by announcing:

 “I am a human calculator!”

You know that proof is on the way.

Remember the essential rule of the Big Promise Opener: make it big, and keep your promise.

Impress your audience with these killer speech openers.

I hope you feel that I kept my promise of sharing nine killer speech openers to start a presentation.

Did you notice any other speech openers at the beginning of this article?

Don’t forget; these openers can be mixed and matched.

You can include a number of these speech openers in the same presentation to create more impact.

Let me know which of these killer openers was your favourite, and let me know if you have any more you’d like to share.

To your public speaking success,

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An Artificial Intelligent English Learning Platform

Welcome Speech in English: Best Samples, Examples & Tips

Why are Welcome Speeches Necessary?

Most of the gatherings and ceremonies are held with a purpose. They are either planned events or spontaneous gatherings. In both cases, it is important to know how to organize such events. We must prepare ourselves to conduct the event properly.

Let us imagine that you are hosting a gathering. You have prepared everything, including food, drinks, decorations, etc., and even set up the stage. However, you forgot one thing – a welcome speech. What happens next? Do you start talking immediately without waiting for everyone to arrive? Of course not!

The same goes for a meeting. How many times did you attend meetings where people didn’t introduce themselves? Or worse, they talked about themselves too much during the meeting. In addition, some speakers talk directly to the audience without introducing themselves. This makes it difficult for the attendees to comprehend the event’s process and connect with its objectives.

So why is a welcome speech in English needed? To begin with, it is necessary to give a brief overview of the topic. Secondly, it helps to provide information about the organization and its history. Thirdly, it allows us to highlight our achievements. And finally, it creates a good impression on guests. Otherwise, they might ask questions like “Where is this event going?”.

Significance of welcome speech

The significance of the welcome speech won’t be apparent without understanding what makes up the history of an event. An event can be defined as a sequence of activities carried out over a period of time. These activities are usually organized into stages, each with a specific purpose. For example, an event may start with opening remarks, followed by a keynote address, and finally concluded with closing remarks. Each stage of an event has a different set of responsibilities.

In the case of a welcoming ceremony, the welcome speech is considered to be one of the most important parts of the whole gathering. In fact, it is the most crucial aspect of the entire event. This is because the welcome speech serves several purposes.

First, it introduces the guests to the host. Second, it provides information regarding the upcoming program. Third, it creates a positive impression among the attendees. Fourth, it helps in creating a sense of unity among the participants. Fifth, it helps in establishing good relations between the hosts and the guests. And finally, it ensures that the guest feels comfortable during the occasion.

Objectives of a Welcome Speech in English

The objective of a welcome speech in English is to introduce yourself and the rest of the attendees at the event. This is done through a short introduction about who you are, what you do, why you’re attending, etc. The following are the objectives of a welcome speech:

• Introduce yourself
• Provide Information regarding the event
• Create a positive impression among attendees
• Establish good relations between hosts and guests
• Ensure guests feel comfortable during the event
• Help build unity among participants
• Explain the purpose of the meeting/event
• Set up the agenda for the meeting/event
• Make introductions
• Give background info about the organization
• Highlight achievements (if any)

Welcome Speech Samples in the Education Field

There is a number of school gatherings that require welcome speeches, be it an official school gathering or an informal event. In this segment, we’ve sorted samples according to the typical events organized in schools. Take note of each paragraph and determine its purpose. You’ll be able to create a workable framework or basis for your current and future speech requirements.

Welcome Address in English For Students

It’s natural for attendees of any event to expect an introductory speech, which sets the tone for the occasion. A host can easily command attention with an effective welcome. Even the longest speeches have the capacity to hold an audience’s interest when delivered in a catchy and impressive manner.

A short opening speech for a commencement ceremony

To everyone present, good morning. A very warm welcome to our respected faculty, our remarkable parents, and our dear students. Special recognition is due for our Chief Guest (name of chief guest). It’s a true honor to have such a successful alumnus (or state the chief guest’s job title). We express our biggest gratitude for accepting our invitation to deliver today’s keynote speech.

I’m standing here as a lucky witness to our dear students’ academic journey. Our school is very proud of everything you have accomplished and your small but not minor contributions to society. You’ve brought prestige to our name and deserve the title of one of our school’s most successful and dedicated batch of students.

With your teachers’ guidance and parents’ support, you’ve reached remarkable heights. I’d like to take this time to extend my gratitude to our faculty and our parents, for understanding, encouraging, and nurturing our students.

Graduates, you are about to start another chapter in your life. An exciting yet scary period. From now on, you will face more challenges, but I am confident that you’re adequately equipped to face any tribulation that comes your way. Remember that with conviction and self-belief, no mountain is too high to climb. The laurels you’ve brought back to our school are only the beginning. I am genuinely excited to see the astonishing feats that your futures hold.

A long opening speech for a commencement ceremony

Good morning everyone! I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our esteemed faculty, astounding parents, and our dear students. I’m honored to open our commencement ceremony and stand here where many of our accomplished alumni who I look up to once stood.

I extend a particularly warm welcome to our Chief Guest (name of chief guest), who as one of our outstanding alumni, has really set the standard for exemplary accomplishments.

(enumerate key achievements of chief guest)

Her/his professional and philanthropic endeavors attest to their upbringing and the values she/he lives by. We want to thank you for responding positively to our invitation to be the keynote speaker on today’s auspicious occasion.

As another academic year reaches its end, I’m sure that our dear students are anxious and also filled with hope and excitement. This is their final school event in our renowned school/college/university (name of school). But hopefully, it won’t be their last awarding ceremony.

We are extremely fortunate to have such a talented and passionate group of graduates who have earned laurels in honor of our school, adding to its distinction and great reputation. The amazing encouragement and unconditional support of our parents throughout the school year have been extraordinary. They have stood by their children in every school event. Our teachers and staff are truly thankful for the trust you’ve given us. Your children’s journey wouldn’t have been a huge success without your guidance and nurture.

It’s been a remarkable experience to witness the passion and commitment our students have exhibited in all their undertakings. I am filled with certitude that you will achieve whatever goal you’ve set your mind on. Adulthood is going to be jammed with more trials you’ve never imagined before. I am kidding. Maybe. Joking aside, you will win as long as you work hard and believe in yourself.

Remember that you are valuable and take every challenge you face as an opportunity to prove your worth and get better. Also, surround yourselves with people who are good for your well-being and treat them the way you’d like to be treated.

Maintain your sense of humor because not much else will get you through when the going gets rough. Life can be very special and you can truly make a mark, which doesn’t always need to have global proportions. Be accountable for your mistakes and learn from them. Keep nurturing your passions and remain as driven, bright, and astonishing as you are today. You are all wonderful and I can’t wait to see your future accomplishments, because they will be great.

Thank you and do us proud!

Welcome Speech for a College Function

(General greeting, i.e. good morning/afternoon/evening) to all (the audience attending the event, e.g. the parents, teachers, students, etc.) and our respected Principal (name of principal). It’s with great pleasure that I welcome everyone to (name of school)’s (name of event or ceremony).

Our college nurtures the ideologies of discipline and pride in one’s work and aims to hone our students as responsible and productive members of society. It is in this spirit that we celebrate today.

To commence our festivities, allow me to introduce one of our most esteemed alumni. Our Chief Guest (title and name of chief guest) has embodied the values fostered by our prominent and respected college. (Enumerate the main accomplishments of the chief guest). We honor you for your contributions to society and our city, most especially, which future generations will surely benefit from. With your hard work, dedication, and charitable spirit, you have set the goalposts we aspire to reach in order to make the world a much better place than we’ve found it.

(Initiate a round of applause)

Welcome Speech for a Yearly Function

(General greeting, i.e. good morning/afternoon/evening to all)

Honorable Chief Guest (name of guest), our beloved Principal (name of principal), our amazing faculty and staff members, our dearest parents and fellow students, and to everyone present, I welcome you all to (name of school/college/university)’s annual function.

My name is Lakshmi Gupta, a student of the Information Technology Department, and also the president of our school’s Cultural Exchange Organization and founder of the Languages Club.

It is with tremendous pride that I announce our prestigious school’s Silver Jubilee anniversary. We’re gathered today to celebrate 25 years of estimable service and success. The remarkable accomplishments of our elite school since its foundation won’t be possible without its long history of dedicated and respected teachers and passionate students, its tireless staff, and the unconditional support from our parents.

It’s also a great honor to introduce our Chief guest and keynote speaker. Any introduction won’t do justice to the extraordinary achievements she/he has attained throughout her/his career. (Enumerate the main accomplishments of the chief guest). She/he is truly one of the most treasured and incredible alumni our school has produced. Without further ado, let’s give a round of applause to (title and name of chief guest).

Welcome Speech for the School Principal

Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning!

I’m truly pleased and honored to welcome our new principal (title and name of principal). He has previously worked for 5 years at Lumos International as principal and has succeeded in revitalizing their academic standing and programs, especially in English and Cultural Studies.

I have gotten to know her/him over the last few days during the transition phase and found her/him to be a brave and progressive intellectual, with a great ideology and vision for the future of (name of school), our beloved school.

On behalf of the current administration, our board of trustees, the faculty, the staff, and our student body, we wholeheartedly extend a great welcome to you (title and name of principal).

We hope that with your leadership, energy, and enthusiasm, we shall start a new era of learning and reach greater excellence.

Congratulations and welcome!

Welcome Speech for Teachers Day

Good morning! We welcome everyone today who is here to celebrate this annual event for their beloved teachers. We don’t always get to thank our teachers, but on this day, we pay tribute to our second parents.

They have provided guidance and given their light to educate and lead us to a journey of wonder, discovery, and knowledge. For their efforts, they deserve the greatest of honors and our utmost respect.

Our steadfast yet affectionate teachers should be our role models. They inspire us daily and motivate us to reach our greatest potential. They impart wisdom so that we don’t only excel academically, but as good people and responsible members of our society.

So on Teacher’s Day, it’s all about them and giving them the honor that many take for granted. Thank you, dear teachers!

Welcome Speech for Children’s Day

Good morning everybody!

Today we extend our appreciation and the warmest embrace to our beloved students to celebrate Children’s Day!

It’s been a blessing to be a part of nurturing children’s sense of wonder and imagination. These are qualities we often lose as we grow up, and it’s awesome to witness them happen every day.

Children’s innocence and love are incomparable and difficult to resist. Their smile is the closest thing to heaven that we can glimpse in the world.

School is your children’s second home, and we teachers are their second parents. We thank you for the opportunity to take care of and guide your little angels.

Join us to celebrate our students and make this day as eventful and fun as it can be!

Welcome Speech for Freshers Party

Welcome everyone to our Fresher’s party!

We’ve all gathered here today to celebrate the gift of possibilities and commence the experience of a new beginning.

It’s of utmost pleasure to welcome everyone, especially all my freshers to today’s festivities. I extend my deepest gratitude to all my teachers and everyone who helped make this event a reality. Look at this place, it’s amazing!

University or school life isn’t just about getting a higher education – brace yourself for the adventure of a lifetime! This is the period to create good memories and meet people who can be a permanent part of your academic and later professional lives. May you develop the relationships and acquire the necessary skills to succeed in life.

But for now, let’s leave our worries and cares out in the hall. Let’s celebrate your wise decision to matriculate in our institution. Our college has prepared special events and an entertainment program highlighting some of our talented students.

The next few hours will be memorable and exciting! Thank you for listening and let’s get on with it!

Have a good time!

Welcome Speech Samples for Business

Much like in academic settings, there are more formal events that happen in professional contexts. Some may need a welcome address to introduce special guests or welcome the attendees of a conference. Some are informal events that welcome those who are invited to special occasions at the office and the people they’re honoring. Note down the key phrases and objectives of the samples below and use the same structure in your own welcome or introduction speech in English.

Sample of Welcome Speech for a Goodbye Get-together

Good evening everyone!

Welcome to my farewell party. I know, I know. You all said you’re sorry to see me go, but that you all would need food and entertainment first to deal with your sadness. So here we are. I shall deliver.

As the Semisonic song goes “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” And so it is with great gratitude that the VP in Japan decided to retire early, so the end of his role can mark the beginning of mine. To Toni Takitani, thanks for deciding you’ve had enough!

Kidding aside, I’d like to thank my friends who made this very corporate event a huge success. Look at this, my goodness!

Most importantly, I want to impart my profound gratitude to my boss (name of the boss). Without you, this party won’t have a band. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor. Or I could, but none of them would have changed my life as positively as you have. It saddens me to leave you the most, but it comforts me that you were my biggest source of encouragement to go. Or it may have been your plan all along. Genius!

So to everyone who came, thank you. I’ll have time to thank you properly later, but for now, let’s eat!

Welcome Speech Sample for a Business Conference

Good morning to everyone who came out to join us here today. My name is Julius Kaizer and I’ll be hosting today’s events.

Before anything else, I’d like to take this moment to thank Merville & Posque Inc., their CEO Mr. Hyori Asano and his team for putting this event together in record time. It won’t be possible without your tireless dedication and contributions. I also want to thank everyone who came, our remarkable associates from Osaka, Chiang Rai, and Quezon, our wonderful clients who have stuck with us through thick and thin, and our amazing consultants in various fields of energy conservation. Your interest and patronage are very much appreciated.

A great welcome to all our extraordinary employees and staff members, some of whom have worked and grown along our company’s 23-year history. A big welcome, too, to our interns who have recently joined and brightened our corporate offices.

Today marks the 15th annual MPBC and it’s an honor to be a host in this glorious congress. I myself will be staying for the conference’s entirety to learn what I can about sustainable energy systems and their various implications and impact on the future of our planet.

The activities today will include an overview of all the forums, seminars, and exhibits around the MPBC complex. Second, we will have the inauguration of the new bio-dome on the grounds where we will also honor this year’s retirees. The afternoon’s seminars will kick off after lunch, and I encourage you to attend the discussions and learn about our future plans and projects. Finally, I’d like to encourage everyone to help yourselves to the snack stations in the hallway. Refreshments and sandwiches are on us for the duration of the conference.

I won’t keep you long and let’s begin the day. I wish all of you a valuable and wonderful time! Thank you.

Welcome Speech for a Business Workshop

Good afternoon everyone!

I am so pleased to see you all here. Welcome to my workshop, or should I say “our” workshop. I am truly overjoyed and excited about learning together and helping you reach a breakthrough in industry-scale coding practices.

This workshop aims to cover new software and the importance of earning certificates in several computer applications such as VM Suite, Landscape 5.0, and NF Tech.

I hope you’ll learn a lot in the next few hours and I promise to try to make our activities as engaging and hands-on as possible. Good luck and thanks again for participating in our workshop.

Welcome Speech for Office Events

My name is (your name), the (position in the company), and your host for this meeting. To our CEO (title and name of the CEO), (next are the dignitaries for the company hierarchy if any), all the staff members and their loved ones, and our beloved employees. I welcome you all to the (name of the event) of (name of company).

We are here today to honor our employees’ achievements in their respective fields and departments. Your efforts to attain and sustain the standards we keep aren’t unnoticed. This awarding ceremony seeks to remind us about the value and pride we should have in our accomplishments, and the significance of collaboration and teamwork. It is our spirit of community and faith in our abilities that represent the vision of (name of company). May we continue to grow through hard work, accountability, and cooperation.

To start off with our first award, let’s call up (title and position of the presenter), (name of the presenter).

Welcome Speech Samples for Family Functions

Huge family events often have speeches: weddings, birthdays, farewell parties, funerals, anniversaries, and so on. Some of these events normally have hosts and esteemed guests. Here are some tips and samples to inspire you.

Tips on Welcoming the Chief Guest?

If you’re searching for tips on how to make a welcome speech for guest, here are some things you can do:

• When drafting your speech, do the research.
• Highlight the key qualities that are worth mentioning in an opening welcome speech for event.
• Take note of the welcome address speech sample in this article and create a framework from them.
• Look up welcome speech quotes and choose the best one to use somewhere in your speech.
• Greet the chief guest at the event personally and introduce yourself if you don’t know each other.
• Extend your hard for a handshake and smile to express that they are honored and welcome to the event.
• Smile and suggest they are being welcomed.
• Address them formally with the usual Miss or Mr.
• Escort the chief guest before you assume host duties.

Welcoming the Chief Guest with a Short Speech

It’s a great honor to welcome our Chief guest and tonight’s keynote speaker. I was worried at first about how to introduce (title and name of Chief guest) because any introduction would pale in comparison to the reality and immensity of her/his accomplishments.

(Enumerate the main accomplishments of the chief guest).

She/he is the ultimate inspiration for young professionals everywhere who want to succeed in the field of international trade. Here to inspire us with her career journey and all the experiences she accumulated along the day, join me in giving a round of applause to (title and name of chief guest).

Welcoming the Chief Guest (Longer Version of the Speech)

Introducing our next attendee is a great pleasure of mine. When she/he accepted our invitation to be tonight’s Chief guest and keynote speaker, I almost jumped for joy. Then I realized I would naturally receive the task of introducing her/him. At first, this gave me great anxiety. How would I be able to pull it off and deliver an introduction that would give her background justice? Then I thought, no introduction would ever compare, so it was foolish to aim for success when failure is guaranteed. So I decided to just do it. Our chief guest has accomplished the following, to name a few:

As I looked at her/his professional and personal successes, I realized here is a woman/man who was faced many times with the certainty of failure but had given her circumstances a grad twist by attaining success against all odds. Then I thought, perhaps I should aim for success in this speech, after all.

She/he is an inspiration to many, not only for all the fields of expertise she has earned and the extreme success that went with the process, but she/he has also set the benchmark for philanthropy and good deeds. She/he has done this quietly, too, and she/he might strangle me for revealing it to the public. I didn’t even know half of the wonderful things she/he has done for our community before my research.

Without further ado, and here to inspire us with her wisdom and grand skill, join me in welcoming our Chief guest (title and name of chief guest).

Welcome Speech for Parents

Hi everyone!

As host and brother of the groom, I’d like to take this time to introduce the parents of the bride. Without them, my brother wouldn’t be the lucky and happy man he is today. More than that, I have witnessed how they accepted my brother and treated him as a son long before the engagement. I often tag along on family trips and have spent hours of wonderful conversations with them. Apart from my own parents, they are two of the most affectionate and hospitable people I’ve ever met. If I could meet a woman whose parents are just like them, I’d consider myself half as lucky as my brother.

Let’s give a round of applause for (names of the bride’s parents). Thank you for embracing my brother into the fold.

Welcome Speech Samples for National Holidays

Below is a sample of a welcome speech typically delivered during Annual Day. Substitute the appropriate details to match your information and use the framework in other speeches reserved for national holidays.

Welcome Speech for Annual Day

I am overjoyed to have this chance to welcome all of you to our elite institution’s 25th Annual Day. Today’s children are the hope of the next generation. All these graduates we see today, receiving awards for their achievements will go on to lead successful lives. Let them live up to the expectations set before them.

I am very happy to be a member of such an elite school where we learned from such great professors who teach us beyond the boundaries of the ordinary classroom. They’re also the minds and hands behind such a big event every year. I’d like to use this chance to organize such a wonderful event this year. It’s also a great pleasure of mine to introduce our Chief Guest.

Welcome speeches are necessary at events. They usually set the tone or expectations of the people who attended or participated in the occasion. There are many ways in going about delivering a welcome address speech. Review the samples in this article and do your due diligence to craft an outline, framework, or skeleton from the contents that you can use in welcome speeches of your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

A good welcome speech has the following qualities: * It is sincere. * It can hold the attention of the audience. * The ideas don’t ramble. * Welcome address quotes are used. One for a short welcome speech, and 2 for a longer one. Never 3, unless the speaker is trying to be funny. * The contents are relevant to the event. * It has an impressive anecdote. * The length doesn’t exceed 5 minutes.

The last segment of this article contains tips on welcoming chief guests, esteemed guests, or guests of honor. The tips contained here can be divided into things to consider while drafting the welcome speech, and things to do at the event itself when meeting the chief guest.

A simple thank you would suffice. Make sure you reiterate your gratitude. Some welcome speeches can end with a line that welcomes the guest of honor.

Depending on the context, a welcome speech doesn’t always need to be impressive. In some situations, a straightforward introduction is all you need. However, in some circumstances like commencement ceremonies, farewell parties, dinners, and some others, the audience is prepared to listen to long speeches. In this case, the speech needs to catch the attention of the attendees and maintain their interest. An impressive welcome speech often has an emotional element. Not just parroting big words to describe a person’s achievements or flatter them. Try to use humor if you’re funny by nature or if you can deliver the punchline well. Use popular quotes in your speech. Tell anecdotes relevant to the attendees. Or reveal an epiphany. These are how you should draft a welcome speech set to impress.

Make sure that it is relevant to the content of your welcome speech or the point you’re making. You can use phrases such as the following: * According to… * As the old saying goes… * There’s a quote that has always stuck with me… * Events like this always remind me of one of my favorite quotes… Try to find quotes that are unique and not cliche. You can find some in the lyrics of contemporary music, or lines and dialogues from books and movies, and so on.

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Opening Speech

Opening speech generator.

Whether you are opening for a small gathering such as minor events or a big one like global conferences, public speaking always gives people stage fright. If you are nervous, you have all the reasons to feel that way. You must already know it since you are here, but one helpful tip to combat nervousness is preparation. That said, turn on your gears and practice your speech writing skills as you compose your opening speech. 

10+ Opening Speech Examples

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What Is an Opening Speech?

An opening speech is a talk that people give to welcome guests and give a brief overview of what will happen in an event. People give this type of speech during formal and informal gatherings. Just as the name states, the purpose of an opening speech is to open programs. 

How to Compose an Impressive Opening Speech

Giving an opening statement means giving the people something to measure for their first impression. When you get on that stage and give your speech, you are doing the first performance of the event itinerary . It is your responsibility to set the vibe for the entirety of the gathering. That said, you should ensure to give a grand opening speech. 

1. Start With a Compelling Introduction

The first words that come out of your mouth when you hold the microphone are a defining factor in the quality of your speech. In writing this segment, ensure to incorporate a hook. It should be effective enough to captivate and retain the attention of your audience throughout your whole speech. One method that will help you to devise your introduction is by conducting an audience analysis . Doing this will give you an idea of how to catch the attention of your listeners. 

2. Acknowledge The Guests

Of course, one of the purposes of giving an opening speech at every event is to welcome the guests. Convey how thankful the organizers are for their acceptance of the event invitation . Also, do not forget to thank them for sparing time for the program. If there are important people on your attendance list , you should show them your appreciation by giving them a special mention. 

3. State the Purpose of the Event

The next step is to write the part where you explain the reason for holding the event. To make things interesting, you can give a very brief history or a fascinating fact about the program. Ensure to compose this segment properly. This part is what will give the audience an idea of what to expect for the ceremony.

4. Conclude Your Speech

In giving a welcome speech for guests , you should not consume too much of the people’s time. That said, after the previous steps, you should now start coming up with a conclusion. In concluding your speech, you should once again thank the guests. After that, you should introduce the next speaker or performer. 

What makes a good opening speech?

Good speech openings are those that can rouse the emotions of the audience. Despite that, you should tailor your introduction based on the formality of the gathering you are attending. For example, giving an opening speech for an event should be something that would brighten the atmosphere. On the other hand, when giving a welcome speech for conference , you should try a more formal approach and include essential meeting details.

How do you give a self-introduction speech?

Aside from mentioning your name, there are other things you should include in your self-introduction speech . Before deciding what details to add to what you will say, you should first consider your audience and the formality of the setting. Despite that, one universal tip that is appropriate for multiple circumstances is to give a brief background of yourself and your accomplishments.

What are essential things to remember when giving a speech?

In giving a speech, it is always advisable to compose a speech outline and practice what you will say. Another necessary thing that you should consider is how you will establish a connection with your listeners. One way to do this is by maintaining eye contact with your audience. Also, during your speech, you should use appropriate hand gestures.

Giving opening speeches are a heavy responsibility. Knowing that you would be the first person to go up the podium can make a person’s heartbeat twice as fast as it usually would. That said, you should prepare ahead and secure to write a killer opening speech. That way, you can walk towards the mic with confident steps.

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38 Top Opening and Closing Remarks for Meetings

Meetings are more than just gatherings; they're opportunities to inspire, engage, and leave a lasting impression. Your choice of opening and closing remarks can make a significant impact on the success of your meeting. In this article, we'll explore 38 top opening and closing remarks that will help you set the tone, convey your message effectively, and create a memorable experience for your attendees. From professionalism to warmth and from motivation to gratitude, we've got you covered.

1. The Warm Welcome

A warm welcome sets the tone for a positive meeting. Begin with a friendly greeting, acknowledge the importance of the gathering, and express your enthusiasm for the discussions ahead. Make your audience feel appreciated and comfortable.

2. The Purpose Statement

State the purpose of the meeting clearly. Explain why everyone is gathered and what you aim to achieve. This helps attendees focus on the main objectives and ensures a productive discussion.

3. The Icebreaker

Break the ice with a light and relatable anecdote or trivia related to the meeting's topic. Icebreakers help create a friendly atmosphere and encourage engagement.

4. The Quote of Inspiration

Incorporate an inspiring quote that resonates with the meeting's theme or objectives. A well-chosen quote can motivate and set the right mood for the meeting.

5. The Agenda Overview

Provide a brief overview of the meeting's agenda. Highlight key topics, speakers, and the expected flow of the discussion. This ensures that everyone is on the same page.

6. The Call to Order

If you're chairing a formal meeting, a simple "I call this meeting to order" is a professional and effective way to start. It signals the beginning of official proceedings.

7. The Gratitude Note

Express gratitude for everyone's attendance and contributions. Acknowledge the effort and time invested by participants, showing your appreciation.

8. The Vision Statement

Share the long-term vision or goal that the meeting aims to support. Aligning the current discussion with a broader vision can inspire attendees.

9. The Progress Recap

If it's a recurring meeting, briefly recap the progress made since the last gathering. It keeps everyone informed and engaged.

10. The Interactive Question

Pose a thought-provoking question that encourages participants to think and engage. This can be a great way to kick off discussions.

11. The Motivational Story

Share a brief motivational story or anecdote that relates to the meeting's objectives. Stories can inspire and engage attendees.

12. The Problem-Solution Framework

Introduce a problem or challenge that the meeting aims to address and then present it as an opportunity for solution. This framework fosters problem-solving and innovation.

13. The Empowering Statement

Empower your audience by reminding them of their roles and contributions. Let them know that their participation is essential for the meeting's success.

14. The Team Acknowledgment

Recognize the collaborative effort of the team. Highlight the strengths and skills of your group members and the importance of teamwork.

15. The Ethical Reminder

Reiterate the importance of ethical conduct and respectful interactions during the meeting. A reminder of professional conduct is always beneficial.

16. The Key Takeaway Preview

Give a sneak peek of the key takeaways attendees can expect by the end of the meeting. This keeps participants focused on the value they'll gain.

17. The Roadmap Presentation

Offer a roadmap of what to expect throughout the meeting. Outline the flow, segments, and breaks to keep everyone oriented.

18. The Participant Engagement

Encourage participants to engage actively. Let them know that their contributions are valued, and their involvement is crucial for a successful meeting.

19. The Appreciative Conclusion

End the meeting on a positive note. Express your gratitude once again, summarize the key points, and convey your confidence in the team's abilities.

20. The Future Vision

Share your vision for the future and how the meeting aligns with long-term goals. This provides a sense of purpose and direction.

21. The Call to Action

End with a clear call to action. Specify the next steps, assignments, or tasks that need to be addressed after the meeting.

22. The Reflection Moment

Encourage participants to take a moment to reflect on what they've learned or discussed during the meeting. This promotes mindfulness and retention.

23. The Pledge of Commitment

Ask attendees to commit to the meeting's objectives and put their best effort into achieving the desired outcomes.

24. The Professional Closure

End with a formal closing, such as "I now declare this meeting adjourned." It signals the conclusion of official proceedings.

25. The Gratitude Recap

Summarize the gratitude expressed throughout the meeting and emphasize the value of teamwork and collaboration.

26. The Personal Acknowledgment

Acknowledge each participant individually, thanking them for their contributions and involvement during the meeting.

27. The Challenge Statement

Challenge participants to apply what they've learned in their roles or departments. Motivate them to make the meeting worthwhile.

28. The Collaborative Pledge

Invite attendees to pledge their commitment to collaborate effectively and support one another.

29. The Milestone Celebration

Celebrate any achievements or milestones reached during the meeting. Recognize hard work and dedication.

30. The Action Plan Overview

Give an overview of the action plan that will follow the meeting. This ensures clarity and alignment on the next steps.

31. The Inspirational Closing

End with an inspiring quote or message that leaves attendees motivated and looking forward to the future.

32. The Decision Recap

Summarize the key decisions made during the meeting and emphasize their importance.

33. The Commitment Request

Request a commitment from attendees to actively participate in post-meeting tasks and assignments.

34. The Team Encouragement

Encourage your team by recognizing their dedication, hard work, and commitment to the meeting's goals.

35. The Progress Reminder

Remind participants of the progress made during the meeting and encourage them to maintain the momentum.

36. The Next Meeting Preview

Preview what attendees can expect in the next meeting. This keeps them engaged and looking forward to future discussions.

37. The Recognition of Challenges

Acknowledge the challenges discussed during the meeting and emphasize the team's ability to overcome them.

38. The Lasting Impact

End with a reflection on the lasting impact of the meeting's discussions and decisions. Inspire attendees to carry the meeting's significance with them.

In conclusion, your choice of opening and closing remarks can shape the outcome of your meeting. These 38 remarks are designed to help you inspire, engage, and make a lasting impression on your audience. Whether you're fostering teamwork, expressing gratitude, or motivating your team, there's a remark for every situation. Use them strategically to ensure your meetings are not only productive but also memorable. Make your mark, set the tone, and create exceptional meetings that leave a lasting impact on everyone involved.

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42 Conference Opening Remarks Examples 

By: Grace He | Updated: December 01, 2023

Here is our list of the best conference opening remarks examples.

Conference opening remarks examples are statements that introduce your meeting to attendees. Examples include serious opening conference remarks, funny opening conference remarks, and inspirational opening conference remarks. The purpose of these remarks is to set the tone for your conference while welcoming attendees to the meeting and introducing your topics for discussion.

These ideas are similar to examples of opening and closing remarks for meetings , check-in questions for team meetings , and team building programs .

This list includes:

• short opening remarks for a program
• opening remarks for a virtual conference
• serious opening conference remarks
• funny opening conference remarks
• inspirational opening conference remarks

Let’s get to it!

List of conference opening remarks examples

From short messages to inspirational remarks, here are our top opening statements for conferences.

Short opening remarks for a program

• On behalf of our hosts, welcome to our conference! We have an engaging lineup of topics and activities for the day. Without further ado, let’s jump right into it!
• Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for taking the time to attend our conference today. We look forward to a fun and engaging time together.
• Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to our conference. Today, we will learn about team building, company culture, and employee engagement. Let’s get started!
• Greetings! Today’s conference is all about team building, and we are so excited to have you here with us today!
• Hi, team. Thank you all for taking time out of your schedules to join our conference today! We know many of you are busy, so we truly appreciate the effort to attend.
• Hi, we’re so glad to see all of your smiling faces at our conference today. Let’s have a great time!
• Hello, team. We are so glad to have you at our event today! We have exciting news and company updates to share, and we cannot wait to get started.
• Welcome to our event! Please know that you are in for a fun and action-packed day. You can refer to the agenda to stay on track with our activities and sessions. Without further ado, let’s get started!
• Good afternoon, all! We are so thrilled to have you join us for today’s conference. Thank you for attending, and we hope to have a great event.
• Hi, everyone! Thank you for joining today’s program. Let’s have a great time together!

Opening remarks for a virtual conference

• Good morning to all of our virtual conference attendees! We are so glad you could join us today. Before we get started, we would like to thank you for clearing your schedules to attend our event. Thanks to video conferencing technology, we are able to meet with so many colleagues, regardless of location and time zones. We promise to make this event worth your while and are very excited to get started!
• Greetings to all of our online conference attendees! We are so pumped that you could join us on Zoom today from around the world. Technology plays a major role in allowing us to get together while being so far apart. We could not be more excited to get started with our event.
• We want to start our conference by giving a big virtual high-five to all of the team members joining us. Hello! You are in for an exciting and action-packed event today. First, we will discuss critical company updates. Next, we will review new HR processes that benefit all employees. Last, we will open up the virtual floor for a roundtable discussion and Q&A session where you can voice your opinions and ask questions.
• Hi, team! Thank you for your enthusiasm in joining our virtual conference today. It is so great to see you all on camera and in your home offices. Before starting today’s program, we have a few special announcements to go over. We will also have a special guest speaker joining us later in the day to talk about innovation and creativity in tech. This speaker is a well-known figure in the tech space. Can you guess our special guest’s name? Well, you will just have to wait and find out!
• Greetings, cyber crew! How great is technology? We are all here joining the same conference from different places worldwide. Remote work is the future, and we are so glad we could host this event virtually. As we go through the conference, please refer to our agenda to follow along. The agenda deck will help you remain aware of which sessions to attend. If you have any questions or are experiencing technical issues, please stop by our virtual IT helpdesk. We have a team of experts on standby, ready to help you troubleshoot any and all tech issues.
• Welcome, everyone, to our virtual conference. We would like to sincerely thank you all for joining us today from your home offices around the world. Please follow along with our event agenda, and do not hesitate to reach out to our virtual IT helpdesk with any questions or troubleshooting needs. Once again, thank you for your attendance, participation, and engagement!
• Hello, and welcome to our conference! Although our event is virtual, we have worked hard to make this year’s conference as fun and engaging as possible. We hope you find today’s program rewarding and insightful.
• Just because you are not physically near your teammates does not mean you have to give up on building real relationships. Today, I want to share with you all the secrets to team building while working in a virtual setting.

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Serious opening conference remarks

• I would like to extend a warm welcome to those who could attend our conference today. We are constantly experiencing changes and innovations in technology and strategy, so it is important to host conferences like this to keep us all in the loop. Let’s begin this meeting by reviewing our notes from the last session.
• What keeps us healthy as we go through life? If you were going to invest in your future self, where would you put your time and energy?

• So, I know the secret to getting anything you want in life.

• As all of you are aware, we are in the midst of a crisis like no other.

• Thank you all for joining us today. As one of the event organizers, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak with each and every one of you today. Conferences like this play a critical role in bringing teams together when necessary. Although it is no easy task, we are grateful for the opportunity.
• Hi, team, and welcome to today’s conference. The purpose of this event is to get our employees engaged and active. We have invited guest speakers and professionals in the field to discuss the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Please remain attentive throughout the event and leave any questions until the end of the presentation. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and participation.
• As I’m sure you all know, our company is undergoing some major changes. We wanted to call this conference to discuss what the future looks like for employees as well as the company as a whole. Please hold any questions for the end, as we may cover what you’re wondering about.
• Hi, everyone. We have decided to call this conference to discuss the upcoming merger and the redundancies within the new firm. We have a plan in place to keep as many of you on board as possible, and we’d like to review that with you today.
• Thank you all so much for taking the time to attend this conference. As you may be aware, our firm is facing a lawsuit. We have laid out everything we know about it along with what we plan to do moving forward. Please refer to the agenda to help us stay on track as we cover the details.
• Hi, team, and thank you for being here. We have organized this conference to discuss harassment in the workplace. This information will show you what harassment may look like and how to respond if you believe it is happening to you. If anyone needs a break at any point, please feel free to step out and rejoin the group when you are ready.

Funny opening conference remarks

• As I was getting ready for today’s meeting, I realized that there’s one thing you and I have in common: neither of us knows what I’m going to talk about today.
• I want to tell you the story of a man who started a new job at a new company. When he met his supervisor, the two hit it off immediately. The supervisor was always there to answer any questions and clear up any confusion for the new hire. In fact, the two got along so well that the supervisor said to the employee, “Don’t think of me as a boss, but rather as a friend who is always right and never wrong.”
• As I was preparing my speech for today, my partner gave me some great advice: “Don’t try to be too charming, intellectual, or funny. Just be yourself!”
• What is the top way to ruin a Friday, you ask? Remembering it’s only Thursday.
• I don’t always trust people who have squeaky clean work desks. Do you know why? Well, because a clean desk is usually a sign of messy desk drawers—or worse, a cluttered mind.
• Staring at my computer screen, I couldn’t help but say to my boss, “Wow, this show is so boring!” To which my boss responded, “That’s because this is a Zoom meeting.”
• Do you hate it when a person answers their own questions? I certainly do. Don’t worry. That’s the only time I’ll answer my own questions during today’s conference. Is it really? Yes. Maybe.
• I gave a speech last week. Afterward, my boss came up to me and said I was both original and good. However, the original parts were not good, and the good parts were not original. So, I have some work to do.
• What do you call a meeting for the Knights of the Round Table? A sir conference.
• Synergy. Collaboration. Team building. You will hear a lot of corporate buzzwords today. Throughout today’s event, just remember: don’t sweat the small stuff.

Inspirational opening conference remarks

• You may have heard the saying, “There is no ‘I’ in teamwork.” This statement holds true, especially as we gather today for our annual company conference. This team excels in working together to achieve our collective goals. Teamwork and team building are critical to our success as a company, so thank you for all of your contributions. Now, let’s build on this positive momentum and keep reaching toward success!
• One of the most inspirational quotes I can think of comes from American author and poet Maya Angelou. She said, “You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.” This quote makes me think of the goals and material objects many people chase today. I want you to ask yourselves: what truly makes you happy? Money and materials, or a life well lived?
• Opportunities do not just fall into place. Many times, you have to create your own opportunities and work hard to achieve your goals. If you face obstacles along the way, then these roadblocks simply serve as tests to show how hard you are willing to work toward your goals. I advise you not to let these obstacles get in the way of your success. Think about how far you are willing to go in order to reach your goals.
• When you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. During today’s conference, we are going to talk about how to reach a point where you feel happy and accomplished at work. We will also discuss how we, as a company, can do better to keep our employees satisfied and engaged each day.
• I would like to begin the conference by saying thank you to all of our attendees. I feel honored and privileged to be addressing you today. Before we begin, I would like to pose a question to the audience: what personal accomplishment are you most proud of? Think about your answer and reflect for a moment. Now, remember how you felt when you accomplished this action. I want each of you to save that feeling and use it as your main source of motivation when you are facing obstacles.
• “The power of one, if fearless and focused, is formidable, but the power of many working together is better.” These wise words from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, serve as a great reminder of the importance of teamwork and persistence.
• Today, we are here to celebrate our collective accomplishments as a team. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are so fortunate to have each of you on this team. Each member of this team inspires me to work hard and accomplish greatness. Today, we celebrate you all.

Conference opening remarks are crucial in setting the tone for your meeting. For example, positive remarks can motivate attendees to engage more actively with the material. Serious remarks, on the other hand, can signal to attendees that the conference’s subject matter is more somber or significant in tone.

We recommend using your opening remarks to alert attendees to your conference’s main topic or theme. You can also share your meeting agenda and encourage participants to follow along throughout the event. Opening remarks create the perfect opportunity to give team members a warm welcome and introduction to start your event on the right foot.

Next, check out team building quotes for work and team building activities for conference calls . You can also check out our team building meeting guide .

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FAQ: Conference opening remarks examples

Here are answers to common questions about conference opening remarks examples.

What are conference opening remarks?

Conference opening remarks are opening statements, introductions, and sayings to welcome attendees to your event. These remarks can add an element of organization to your event by giving participants an idea of the topics and themes you will cover.

What are good examples of conference opening remarks?

Conference opening remarks are important in setting the tone for your meeting while keeping participants engaged. The best conference opening remarks should motivate and inspire attendees to pay close attention and participate in your event.

For example, your conference opening remarks can include an overview of the event’s agenda, motivational quotes, or reasons for your meeting.

How do you write a good opening address for a conference?

Writing a good opening address for a conference can be difficult. To simplify the process, we recommend restating critical information and reminding attendees of the event’s agenda. Your opening remarks should give participants a better understanding of the goal and purpose of your event.

Author: Grace He

People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com. Grace is the Director of People & Culture at teambuilding.com. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com.

Grace is the Director of People & Culture at teambuilding.com. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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Opening a Meeting

Whether you are holding the meeting or attending the meeting it is polite to make small talk while you wait for the meeting to start. You should discuss things unrelated to the meeting, such as weather, family, or weekend plans.

Sample Dialogue:

Once everyone has arrived, the chairperson, or whoever is in charge of the meeting should formally welcome everyone to the meeting and thank the attendees for coming.

• Well, since everyone is here, we should get started.
• Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming today.
• I think we'll begin now. First I'd like to welcome you all.
• Thank you all for coming at such short notice.
• I really appreciate you all for attending today.
• We have a lot to cover today, so we really should begin.

Sample Welcome:

Pierre : I think we'll begin now. First I'd like to welcome you all and thank everyone for coming, especially at such short notice. I know you are all very busy and it's difficult to take time away from your daily tasks for meetings.

Introductions

If anyone at the meeting is new to the group, or if there is a guest speaker, this is the time when introductions should be made. The person in charge of the meeting can introduce the new person, or ask the person to introduce him or herself.

• I'd like to take a moment to introduce our new tour coordinator.
• I know most of you, but there are a few unfamiliar faces.
• Stella, would you like to stand up and introduce yourself?
• Hi everyone. I'm Judy Strauss. I'll be acting as Amanda's assistant while Nancy is away on maternity leave.

Roll Call/Apologies

If the meeting is a small group, it is probably unnecessary to take attendance out loud. The person who is taking the minutes will know everyone personally and can indicate who is present and who is absent. In a larger meeting, it may be necessary to send around an attendance sheet or call out names. If an important figure is absent, it may be necessary for the chairperson to apologize for his or her absence and offer a brief explanation for it.

• It looks like everyone is here today.
• If you notice anyone missing, please let Jane know so that she can make a note of it.
• Unfortunately, Ken cannot join us today. He has been called away on business
• Mike will be standing in to take the minutes today, as Lisa is home with the flu.

Some people who hold meetings prefer to pass around copies of the agenda, and others will post a large copy on a wall, or use an overhead projector. No matter which format is used, attendees should be able to follow the agenda as the meeting progresses. Before beginning the first main item on the agenda, the speaker should provide a brief verbal outline the objectives.

Sample Introduction to the Agenda:

12+ Opening Speech Examples for Presentations & Quick Tips

Last updated on June 7th, 2024

These days, most of the audience prefers an informal approach in presentations, but at the same time, it must sound professional. When people prepare for any type of presentation, they often face this dilemma: how to start a presentation? What should be the opening speech? How much time should we take for the introduction part?

The first three minutes of your presentations are crucial to get to your audience with an engaging message and make the overall presentation effective. With the proper opening speech for your presentation, you can hook your audience, win the audience’s attention and get them audience interested in what you have to say. Check out some speech introduction examples to get familiar with this topic. Undoubtedly, if the beginning of your presentation is solid and exciting, the chances of success of your presentation increase. Opening your persuasive speech entirely depends upon your style and choice because when you are giving a presentation, you are required to be yourself and avoid putting artistic elements. So, choose something with which you are entirely comfortable.

If you are looking on how to start a speech then this article can help you to get some ideas. Here is a list of opening speech examples that you can use to prepare your presentations with a persuasive speech that convinces the audience. Find useful starting lines of speech, phrases and strategies to make your presentation a success:

1. Opening Speech with Greetings

This is the very basic, common and important step in which you need to greet your audience by wish them good morning/afternoon or evening (as per the time of session in which you are giving presentation). How to start a speech? Check out some of the examples below including a simple but effective speech introduction greeting example.

Example of Opening Greetings

Hello, everyone. I’d like, first of all, to thank the organizers of this meeting for inviting me here today.

Another example of opening Greeting speech.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am honored to have the opportunity to address such a distinguished audience.

2. Open the Speech by Giving Compliment & Show Gratitude towards your Audience

Secondly, just after wishing greeting to your audience give them compliment and choose some words which show that you are delighted to see them there.

Example: 

It’s great to see you all, Thank you for coming here today.

3. Give your introduction: Introduce Yourself

How you introduce yourself during a presentation is important. There are many ways to introduce yourself. Here we will see some examples on how to introduce yourself in a presentation. First of all, give your introduction start from telling your name. You can show some casual attitude by telling your short name or nick name, and then tell the audience more about your background and what you do.

For example, a good way to start introducing yourself could be:

My name is Louis Taylor, friends call me Lee sometimes.

Then introduce yourself professionally and give quite information about what you do and why are here today. For Example:

I am a software engineer by profession and working in ABC Corp. Today, I am here to provide you some exciting information about new technology, which is going to be very beneficial for you in future.

Another example of self-introduction speech:

For those of you who don’t know me already, my name is Louis Taylor, and I’m responsible for the software department at ABC Corp.

Using a self-introduction template and slide in your presentation, you can support your speech while presenting the information about you in the projection. You can also visit self introduction speech examples to find out some examples on how to introduce yourself and download self-introduction templates for PowerPoint & Google Slides.

4. Opening with the Topic of the Speech

Next is the part where you introduce the topic of your presentation or speech. Here are some examples of good opening speech for presentations examples on a specific topic.

What I’d like to present to you today is…

Or here is a simplified example of a good introduction for presentation in which we try to get the audience’s attention over the screen where you are presenting the content of your PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation.

As you can see on the screen, our topic today is…

5. Signpost

Put all your information in front of them and then put your proposal and its related information and key point by which you can implement and utilize that idea effectively. Now let collect these points to make a summary and concise illustration. Here is an example of presentation starting speech that you can use:

“Good afternoon every one, it’s great to see you all here, thank you for coming. My name is Louis Taylor, friends call me Lee sometimes. I am a software engineer by profession and working with ABC Ltd. Today we are here to know about new software so that we can take most of it. Firstly, we will look how it work, next we will discuss where can we use it, then we will learn what are its advantages and finally we will discuss what precautions are required to kept in mind while implementing it.”

6. Creating an Emotional Connection in Your Opening Speech

An effective opening speech is not just about presenting information or stating facts; it’s about forging an emotional connection with your audience. Building this connection can make your presentation more engaging, relatable, and memorable. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

Storytelling: One of the most powerful ways to establish an emotional connection is through storytelling. Sharing a personal anecdote or a relevant story can evoke emotions and draw your audience into your presentation. Make sure your story aligns with the overall theme of your presentation and adds value to your message.

Example of speech opening:

“Good morning, everyone. When I was a little boy, I used to watch my grandfather work tirelessly on his old typewriter. The clacking of the keys was a lullaby that lulled me into dreams of creating something impactful. Today, I am here to talk about the evolution of technology and its effect on communication, from typewriters of old to the smartphones of today.”

Relatability: Find common ground with your audience. This could be based on shared experiences, values, or aspirations. Doing so helps to humanize you, making it easier for your audience to relate to your message.

“Like many of you, I too struggle with maintaining a work-life balance in this fast-paced digital world. Today, I’ll share some strategies I’ve discovered that have significantly improved my quality of life.”

Utilizing Emotions: Use emotions like humor, surprise, curiosity, or inspiration to engage your audience. Different emotions can be used depending on the tone and purpose of your presentation.

“Did you know that the average person spends two weeks of their life waiting for traffic lights to change? That certainly puts our daily commute in a new light, doesn’t it?”

Remember, authenticity is crucial in building an emotional connection. Be yourself, share your experiences, and speak from the heart. This helps to gain your audience’s trust and keeps them engaged throughout your presentation.

7. Harnessing the Power of Visual Aids in Your Opening Speech

Visual aids are a potent tool in any presentation, particularly in your opening speech. They can grab your audience’s attention with a visually appealing cover slide, support your message, and make a lasting impression. Here are some ways you can utilize visual aids in your opening speech.

Images: An image is worth a thousand words, they say, and it’s true. An impactful or relevant image can pique the curiosity of your audience and set the tone for your presentation. Ensure the image aligns with your topic and contributes to your overall message.

“As you can see on the screen, this is an image of a barren desert. It may surprise you to learn that this was once a thriving forest. Today, I’ll be talking about climate change and its irreversible effects.”

Short Videos: A short video can be a great way to engage your audience. This could be a brief clip that illustrates your topic, a short animation, or even a quick introductory video about you or your organization.

Example of a presentation opening statement:

“Before we start, let’s watch this brief video about the incredible journey of a raindrop.”

Infographics and Charts: If you are sharing statistical data or complex information, infographic slides or charts can simplify and clarify your message. They are visually engaging and can help your audience understand and remember the information.

“Take a look at this chart. It shows the exponential increase in cybercrime over the last five years, a topic that we will delve into further today.”

Slides: A well-designed slide can provide a visual structure for your opening speech. It should be clean, easy to read, and should not distract from your speech. Avoid cluttering your slides with too much text or complex graphics.

“According to the infographic on the screen, we can see the three core areas we’ll be focusing on in today’s presentation.”

Remember, the goal of using visual slides is to enhance your message, not overshadow it. They should complement your speech and provide visual interest for your audience. Always test your visual aids beforehand to ensure they work properly during your presentation.

8. Engaging Your Audience with Rhetorical Questions

A rhetorical question is a powerful tool you can use in your opening speech to provoke thought and engage your audience. By posing a question that doesn’t require an answer, you can pique your audience’s interest, make them think, and steer their focus towards your presentation’s key points. Here’s how to use rhetorical questions effectively in your opening speech:

Spark Curiosity: Use a rhetorical question to spark curiosity about your topic. This question should be thought-provoking and relevant to your presentation.

“Have you ever stopped to wonder how much of your life is influenced by social media?”

Highlight Key Issues: A rhetorical question can help highlight the key issues or problems that your presentation aims to address. This will help your audience understand the importance of your topic.

“What would happen if our natural resources were to run out tomorrow?”

Encourage Reflection: Encourage your audience to reflect on their personal experiences or beliefs. This will make your presentation more relatable and engaging.

“How many of us truly understand the value of our mental health?”

Set the Tone: You can also use a rhetorical question to set the tone of your presentation, whether it’s serious, humorous, or contemplative.

“Is there anyone here who doesn’t love pizza?”

Remember, rhetorical questions are meant to stimulate thought, not to put anyone on the spot. Make sure your questions are relevant to your topic and are appropriate for your audience. With the right questions, you can grab your audience’s attention, keep them engaged, and guide their thinking throughout your presentation.

9. Leveraging Statistical Data in Your Opening Speech

Using statistical data in your opening speech is a powerful way to capture the audience’s attention and lend credibility to your message. Surprising or impactful statistics related to your presentation’s topic can instantly make your audience sit up and take notice. Here’s how you can incorporate statistical data effectively in your opening speech:

Relevant and Interesting Data: Choose statistics that are directly relevant to your topic and are likely to pique your audience’s interest. This data should enhance your message and provide valuable context for your presentation.

“Do you know that according to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting over 264 million people?”

Simplify Complex Data: If you’re presenting complex or dense data, make sure to simplify it for your audience. Use percentages, comparisons, or visual aids like infographics or charts to make the data easily understandable.

“Look at this chart. It represents the staggering 80% increase in cybercrime incidents over the past five years.”

Credible Sources: Always ensure your data comes from credible and reputable sources. This not only adds legitimacy to your presentation, but it also boosts your credibility as a speaker.

“According to a recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Science, air pollution contributes to 1 in 8 deaths worldwide.”

Shocking or Surprising Data: If you have statistics that are surprising or counter-intuitive, they can be an excellent way to grab your audience’s attention and spark curiosity about your presentation.

“Can you believe that, according to the United Nations, we waste approximately 1.3 billion tons of food every year, while one in nine people worldwide go hungry?”

Using statistical data in your opening speech can help to highlight the significance of your topic, draw your audience in, and lay a solid foundation for the rest of your presentation. Remember to present your data in a clear, accessible way, and always cite your sources to maintain credibility.

10. Creating a Powerful Hook with Anecdotes and Quotations

Anecdotes and quotations can be a powerful tool in your opening speech, serving as hooks that draw your audience into your presentation. They can provide a human element to your topic, connect with your audience on an emotional level, and add depth to your message. Here’s how you can effectively incorporate anecdotes and quotations in your opening speech:

Relevant Anecdotes: Sharing a relevant anecdote, whether personal or related to your topic, can make your presentation more relatable and engaging. Your anecdote should be brief, interesting, and serve to illustrate a point related to your topic.

“When I was a teenager, my family’s home was destroyed by a fire. That experience ignited in me a passion for safety measures and awareness, which brings us to today’s topic: fire safety in residential areas.”

Inspiring Quotations: A well-chosen quote can add depth and perspective to your topic. It can inspire, provoke thought, or set the tone for your presentation. Presenting it with a visually appealing quote slide increases the chances to make a lasting impression. Make sure the quote is relevant to your topic and from a credible source.

“Albert Einstein once said, ‘The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.’ This leads us into our discussion today on the importance of mindset in personal development.”

Humorous Anecdotes or Quotations: Depending on the formality of the setting and the topic of your presentation, a funny anecdote or quote can help to relax the audience, making them more receptive to your message.

“Mark Twain once said, ‘I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.’ As a fellow writer, I can relate to this sentiment, which brings us to our topic today: the art of concise writing.”

Remember, your anecdote or quote should serve to enhance your message, not distract from it. It should be interesting, relevant, and appropriately timed. With the right anecdote or quote, you can create a powerful hook that engages your audience from the outset.

11. Integrating Storytelling in your Opening Speech

Storytelling is a compelling method to make your opening speech memorable and engaging. A well-told story can create a strong emotional connection with your audience, making your presentation more impactful. Here’s how to effectively weave storytelling into your opening speech:

Choosing the Right Story: The story you tell should be relevant to your topic and capable of illustrating the point you’re trying to make. It could be a personal experience, a case study, or a historical event.

“Years ago, I worked on a project that, at the outset, seemed destined for success. But due to a lack of clear communication within the team, the project failed. Today, we will be discussing the importance of effective communication within teams.”

Creating Suspense: Build suspense in your story to hold your audience’s attention. You can do this by posing a problem or a conflict at the beginning of your story, which gets resolved by the end of your presentation.

“One day, as I was walking through a remote village in Africa, I came across a scene that profoundly changed my perspective. But before I reveal what it was, let’s discuss the issue of clean drinking water in underdeveloped countries.”

Showing, Not Telling: Make your story more vivid and engaging by showing, not telling. Use descriptive language and paint a picture with your words to make your audience feel like they’re part of the story.

“As the sun rose over the bustling city of Tokyo, I found myself in a small sushi shop tucked away in a quiet alley, experiencing what would become a pivotal moment in my culinary journey.”

Relatable Characters: If your story involves characters, make them relatable. Your audience should be able to see themselves in your characters, or at least understand their motivations and challenges.

“Meet Sarah, a single mother of two, working two jobs just to make ends meet. Her struggle is the reason we’re here today, to discuss the issue of minimum wage in our country.”

Storytelling is a powerful tool that can bring your presentation to life. A well-told story can captivate your audience, making your message more memorable and impactful. Be sure to select a story that aligns with your overall message and is appropriate for your audience.

12. Incorporating Interactive Elements in Your Opening Speech

Involving your audience from the get-go can make your presentation more engaging and memorable. By integrating interactive elements into your opening speech, you can foster a sense of participation and connection among your listeners. Here’s how you can do it:

Audience Polling: Modern presentation software often includes real-time polling features. You can ask your audience a question related to your topic and display the results instantly.

“To start, I’d like to ask you all a question. (Show poll on screen) How many of you think that Artificial Intelligence will significantly change our lives in the next ten years?”

Questions for Thought: Pose a thought-provoking question to your audience at the beginning of your speech. It can stimulate curiosity and get your listeners thinking about your topic.

“Before we delve into today’s topic, I want you to ponder this: what would you do if you had only 24 hours left to live? Keep that in mind as we discuss the importance of time management.”

Physical Engagement: Depending on the formality and size of your audience, you can incorporate physical engagement. This can range from a simple show of hands to engaging activities.

“By a show of hands, how many of you have ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of information available on the internet? That’s what we’ll be discussing today: information overload in the digital age.”

Interactive Quizzes: Quizzes can be a fun and interactive way to engage your audience and test their knowledge on your topic. It can also serve as a hook to introduce your topic. You can use a free Quiz PowerPoint template to ease the job of creating a quiz for your presentation.

“I have a quick quiz for you all (show quiz on screen). Let’s see who can guess the most common fear among adults. The answer will lead us into our topic of discussion today: overcoming fear.”

Remember, the goal of incorporating interactive elements is to engage your audience, so it should be relevant and add value to your presentation. Tailor your interactive elements to suit the needs and preferences of your audience, and you’ll have a winning opening speech.

What are the Objectives of Preparing a Good Introduction and Opening Speech?

As we mentioned earlier, the first minutes of your presentation are crucial to hook the audience and let them pay attention to the message you want to convey. This will depend on the type of presentation (if it is persuasive presentation, informative presentation or a presentation for entertaining the audience), but in general terms, when presenting we need to:

• Capture the audience’s attention
• Present information, opinions, ideas to the audience.
• Present important details about a specific topic.
• Sell an idea.
• Make the information memorable so it can persist over the time.
• Get your audience to take action, a Call to Action. E.g. purchase a product, enroll to something, fundraise, etc.

Real-Life Examples of Effective Opening Speeches

Barack Obama started his speech in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner saying: “You can’t say it, but you know it’s true.”

In same cases, humour can be a great companion for your speech. If you can use humour in a positive way, then getting a laugh in the first seconds of a presentation can get your audience hooked. It is a great way to open your speech.

Final Thoughts

Try to make habit of starting your presentation this way, it will sound great. You may come across several more opening speech examples for presentation but, once you implement this you yourself will realize that this is the best one. Alternatively you can learn more on quotes for presentations & speech topics  to use during your presentation in PowerPoint, learn how to close your presentation , or find other relevant speech introduction greeting examples.

49 comments on “ 12+ Opening Speech Examples for Presentations & Quick Tips ”

thank you very much

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Hi Kavishki, good morning. Can please provide more information about the Panel Discussion needs and if it involves a PowerPoint presentation? We’d be happy to be of help!

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10 of the Best Things to Say in Opening Remarks

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Writing

An Opening Remark is the first sentence, phrase, or paragraph you utter at the beginning of your speech or presentation. Opening Remarks determine whether or not the audience will be intrigued enough to sit through the rest of your talk . The main purposes of opening remarks can be summed up as follows:

• Captures the attention of the audience
• Sets the overall tone and theme for your talk
• Introduces the situation/problem at hand

Here’s the game plan for this article:

1. Time Limit of Opening Remarks

2. audience expectations from opening remarks.

• 3. Do's and Don'ts of Opening Remarks

1. Shock them with Statistics

2. props and placards, 3. the potential of a promise, 4. sing a song, 5. strike the minds with a startling statement, 6. influence with imagination.

• 7. What if we use the "What If Scenario"?

8. Optimize that Outfit!

9. the strength of storytelling, 10. propose a problem, 1. writing opening remarks for meetings/seminars, 2. writing opening remarks for virtual meetings, 3. writing opening remarks for ceremony/event, in conclusion.

Even after reading this, you might wonder, ‘Why is it important for me to focus upon opening remarks?’ After all, it’s just a part of the overall structure of your talk, right?

Now, let me ask you something!

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the moment a speaker started delivering his talk, you immediately felt disconnected and just couldn’t pay attention to it?

Soon, you began to yawn and decided to check up on the people sitting beside you but surprisingly, you found them staring at their wristwatches waiting for the talk to get over.

Most likely the reason is that the speaker forgot to pay attention to his/her opening remarks and because of this very reason, failed at capturing the audience’s attention. So, ask yourself, ‘Do you wish to be that speaker?’ NO, right?

Before I dive into the Complete Guide on ‘What to Say in Opening Remarks?’ , let’s first discuss a few guidelines that you must keep in mind while crafting your introductory remarks!

How to Write Opening Remarks? (Basic Guidelines)

An opening remark can cover 10-15% of the total duration of your talk. For example, if you are delivering a 7-minute long talk, your opening remark must last for at least a minute.

Let’s face it- every single time, we listen to a strong introduction, we ponder ‘How did the speaker do it effortlessly?’

Well, my friend, the secret lies in thinking from the audience’s perspective ! (a crucial step that most of the speakers skip)

This is the only way to figure out what will work in your opening remarks. So, ask yourself,

• If I were the speaker, would I care about the situation/issue at hand after listening to this opening remark?
• Does this opening remark intrigue me enough to hear the rest of the talk with all my interest?

3. Do’s and Don’ts of Opening Remarks

While each situation/issue is different, there are certain Do’s and Don’t’s of opening remarks that you need to keep in mind to not make your audience snooze on you! Because come on, we don’t wish to be those boring monotonous speakers!

Do’s of Opening Remarks

Serve a sneak-peek.

Remember how the trailer of any movie gives you an idea of what the movie is about but doesn’t give all the information to make you curious enough for the remainder of the movie? That’s exactly what we need to do here!

At the beginning of your speech, provide the audience an idea about the theme of your talk but don’t give it all in!

Give them questions to ponder over! After listening to your opening remarks, your audience should go like, ‘Umm, that’s interesting! Tell me more about it!’ But how do you do that? Keep an eye out for the section in this article where we talk about interesting ways to begin your speech.

Establishing Credibility

Now that you have your audience’s attention, your mission now is to make them trust you!

Because admit it, for the audience to truly believe your arguments, they must first trust you!

Consider thinking from your audience’s perspective and ask yourself, ‘What aspect of my life would relate the most with my audience and the theme of my talk?’ Once you have got your answer, narrate that personal anecdote! (Don’t go on blabbering, keep it short and sweet!)

Make Eye Contact and Smile

This is pretty self-explanatory! You would any day prefer a speaker who is smiling and seems confident as opposed to someone who has a serious face on with a monotonous voice.

So, remember to maintain eye contact (but not stare at them!) to make your audience feel like you are talking to them and not at them. But if you are afraid of maintaining eye contact, here a few things that you can try out:

• Consider looking at objects instead of people. You could look at the spaces between the chair or the wall towards the end of the room.
• If you have a bunch of friends sitting in the audience, convince them to scatter around at different junctures and you can look at them while delivering your speech.

Lastly, put on a smile if your speech topic calls for it (If it’s a sad topic, don’t smile, obviously!).

Don’t’s of Opening Remarks

Bid ‘goodbye’ to a bland ‘good morning’.

Starting your speech with a plain ‘Good Morning’ is by far the most mundane way and doesn’t really add to the listening experience of your audience.

After listening to a bland ‘Good Morning’, they would most likely go like, ‘Ah, here we go again!’ and we don’t want our audience members to think that way! So, put on your creativity hat and make your introductory remarks interesting!

Don’t Be TOO Creative

As discussed in the previous section, we wish to be creative but not too creative. Let me tell you why! We focus so much on making our introduction creative that we incorporate too many interesting elements, adjectives, and idioms-all of these together confuse the audience. We need to strike a balance between creativity and simplicity.

For example, if you are talking about ‘Why more people are watching dark content these days?’ Don’t start your speech narrating the emergence of OTT Platforms, it’s too broad! Instead, prefer narrating a personalized story of binge-watching dark content.

Don’t Keep your Introductory Remarks TOO Long

Avoid crafting an opening remark which is too long, stick to the time limit guidelines we discussed in one of the previous sections of this article. Keeping our opening remarks too long can bore our audience members to sleep and as a result, they might lose all their interest!

We’ve made an in-depth video of things we should NOT do when it comes to opening our speech. Check it out for deeper insights:

10 Types of ‘Interesting’ Opening Remarks

A strong speech introduction serves two purposes:

• Provides a gist of the theme
• Makes the audience intrigued for the remainder of the speech

Below-mentioned is the list of 10 best ways to write a strong introduction without sounding boring:

How to Begin your Speech with Statistics?

Starting your speech by throwing in some statistics, be it positive or negative, can help you capture your audience’s attention. Here’s how:

• Throw in a question regarding the fact by asking for a show of hands
• Now, present the fact
• Answer the question yourself by connecting it to the theme of your talk

Example of a Statistical Opening Remark

In this TED Talk, Dr. Tharoor uses statistics to arise the curiosity of his audience members using the exact method that I stated above. Check out the video to understand it better!

Opening Remark :

How many of you here are under 35? Okay, that seems pretty representative of the country; 65% of India is under 35. How many of you are under 25? Okay. Then you are not so representative because we have half of the Indian population pretty much under 25. We are an amazingly young country!

Now, this is just one way of presenting the fact in an interesting way. Well, we have written an entire article on ’11 Unique Ways to Present Facts Without Sounding Boring’ . So, make sure you check it out!

Instead of simply coming on to the stage and start speaking, shock your audience by doing something different. We all love surprises and with the right props and placards, you can get your audience interested for the entire duration of your speech.

How to Start your Talk with Prop/Placard?

No technical rules here! Put on your creativity hat and think ‘What Prop can you bring onto the stage which will relate to the theme of your talk?’ Once you have got your potential answers, ask yourself, ‘Which prop is the most convenient yet effective?’ Then, bring that prop onto the stage.

Hold on, don’t just present your prop! Use it as a guiding light to present the theme of your talk in a really engaging manner.

Example of Opening Remark involving Use of Prop

Let’s assume that you are delivering a talk on ‘Walking the Pathways of Sustainability with Old Modes of Transportation.’ This time, instead of simply starting to talk, you can enter the stage riding a bicycle!

Sounds interesting, right? (I’m sure your audience would find this to be intriguing too!)

Now, get off that bicycle, and speak about the theme of your talk by building a connection with that bicycle. This way, the audience would remember your theme nicely and be intrigued for the rest of your talk as well.

To witness the application of this technique in action, watch this TEDTalk by Hans Rosling on ‘The Magic Washing Machine’. Hans Rosling brings a washing machine on stage to illustrate his point. Here’s how:

Opening Remarks:

I was only a four years old when I saw my mother load a washing machine for the very first time in her life…

An irresistible promise would lure the audience in towards your speech in the hope of wanting to know more and that’s what you aim for, right?

But while you are at it, please make a point not to overpromise or exaggerate because this will hurt your credibility as a speaker and make the audience lose all their interest.

How to Present an Irresistible Promise in the Opening Remarks?

Step 1: Keep your opening statement something as simple like ‘Today, I’m about to tell you the secret to…’

Step 2: As a continuation of this statement, tell your audience what your secret is all about? For example, ‘Today, I’m about to tell you the secret to maintaining a healthy diet without losing out on junk food.’

Step 3: Now, don’t reveal your secret in the opening remarks itself. Wait till the body of your talk to reveal your secret!

Example of an Irresistible Promise

Opening Remark:

So, I know the secret to getting anything you want in life.

Allow me to ask you, ‘Are you intrigued after listening to her statement?’ (At least I am) But your task as a speaker doesn’t get over here, look at this video to see how she presents this secret and structure her talk to be all the more persuasive.

No, I’m not kidding! I mean it. Public Speaking is not just about simply speaking, your task as an orator is to inform as well as engage your audience.

And what’s a better way to engage your audience than singing a song?

Now, if you are not at all confident about your singing skills, don’t go for it! Go for any of the remaining 9 techniques but if you are a decent singer, I’d suggest that you go for it! After all, no one’s judging you, all you need to do is present your idea effectively!

How to Incorporate A Song in Your Opening Remarks?

Step 1: Pick a song, yes! There are two ways here: Either you can go for a song which you can disagree with while presenting the theme of your talk or you can go choose a song to agree with.

Step 2: Once you have a song that resonates with your theme in one way or the other, pick up a stanza (Don’t go for more than 2-4 lines here). Ideally, prefer picking the lines which you can directly relate with your theme and at the same time, the lines are popular enough for the audience to recall the song.

Step 3: Sing the song, tell if you agree or disagree, and then, present your theme in the follow-up statement

Example of Opening Remark involving Use of Song

The stars in the sky remind me why I live by love and I dream the future is bright as I look towards the sky. I live by love and I dream…

In this TED Talk, Kamica sings a song that talks about how music heals a soul and acts as a therapist. This, by the way, was also the theme of the talk she delivered. Check out this video to know in detail how exactly she effectively conveyed her theme in the opening remark- all because of a song!

What do I mean by this, you ask? You need to present an unpopular thought as our opening sentence , something that stands in opposition to the general belief of the public.

When you do this right, your audience will be intrigued to know more about how you defend this thought and that’s all what you are looking for- their undivided attention!

How to Write A Startling Opening Remark?

While deciding on this startling opening remark, ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the unpopular opinion about the topic I am about to speak on?
• Is the unpopular opinion startling yet believable?
• If I were to listen to this thought, would my reaction be, ‘Hold on, what did he just say?’

Example of A Startling Opening Remark

Hi, my name is Frank and I collect secrets.

Intriguing, isn’t it? That’s how Frank Warrren started his TEDTalk, ‘Half A Million Secrets’. Look at it!

We all love day-dreaming! So, why not use it to our advantage?

Present a step-by-step chain of thoughts for the audience to follow and let them immerse in that reality. For this to truly work, make sure that your description is vivid to control your audience’s thoughts.

How to Use the Hook of Imagination?

Step 1: First things first, decide on the emotion you wish to channel- Is it positive or negative? My suggestion would be to go for negative emotion since it is comparatively more powerful. Having mentioned this, present a scenario of “ what will happen if the audience chooses not to listen to you? ” Tell them what they have in store to lose.

Step 2: Next, present a series of thoughts (in the order of progression) for the audience to follow.

Step 3: Throw in a question at the audience. If you are channeling the negative emotion, ask something scary like, “Would you prefer being in such a scary situation? No, right?” Similarly, while channeling the positive emotion, ask something optimistic like, “You enjoyed that, didn’t you? So, how can we sustain this in reality?”

Example of Thought-Provoking Opening Remark

Let’s take an example of Ric Elias TED Talk where he channels the negative emotion with the help of his powerful imagination by narrating a story of a plane crash. Look at how he builds up this piece of imagination.

Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3,000 ft. Imagine a plane full of smoke. Imagine an engine going clack, clack, clack. It sounds scary. Well I had a unique seat that day. I was sitting in 1D.

7. What if we use the “What If Scenario”?

Present an opportunity towards the audience to think with you and not think for you .

This ‘What if’ hook will bring both you and your audience on the same page. Once this is done, with the help of powerful storytelling as the next step, you can make the audience buy your thoughts in a structured manner.

How to Use the ‘What If’ Scenario?

Open up your talk with the phrase ‘what if’ and follow it up with a question.

One thing to keep in mind here is that your question should not reflect an existing reality but present a conflicting thought that challenges the existing perception of the public.

This way, the audience would truly ponder over your question and when they do, wait for some time and then, answer that question by yourself. Trust me, the audience will be more inclined to believe you!

Example of ‘What If’ Opening Remark

To witness this technique in action, watch this TED Talk where Cynthia Thurlow asks her audience a thought-provoking question regarding our daily meals.

What if I told that breakfast being ‘the most important meal of the day’ was wrong?

There’s no rocket science here! If your topic is closely related to a culture or even a place for that matter, the best bet is to wear that representative outfit to stand out.

How to Connect your Outfit with Opening Remark?

Before you dive into this method, cross-check with the event administration regarding dress code specifications. If no specifics are given and you have a theme wherein you can pull off a unique outfit, GO FOR IT!

Example of Opening Remarks involving Outfit

While representing Bhutan’s steps towards sustainability, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay decided to wear a traditional outfit to represent his country in its truest essence. Watch this TED Talk to know how he connects his outfit with the overall theme of the talk.

In case you are wondering, No, I’m not wearing a dress and no, I’m not saying what I’m wearing underneath. This is a gho. This is my national dress.

Be it real or fictional- we all love listening to gripping stories. Do you have a personal anecdote to share? Awesome! If not, there’s nothing to worry about.

You can craft your own story as well or narrate a friend’s story too. But one thing to remember here is that our stories should hold realism. Don’t go too overboard because if the audience gets a hint of exaggeration, they might not believe you!

How to Include A Story in Opening Remark?

Mountain Curve is by far one of the most popular techniques to narrate a gripping story! Here’s how:

Begin with establishing the setting and then, slowly work linearly towards the climax of the story (the key challenge/problem). Once you have reached the stage of climax, focus on the step-by-step resolution of that conflict (solution).

Want to know about more ways of effective storytelling? We have written an entire article on ‘9 Storytelling Methods for your Upcoming Presentation’. Go check it out!

Example of Tell-tale Opening Remark

Watch this TED Talk as the orator Michael narrates a camping story and relates it with the theme of his talk, ‘Why renewables can’t save the planet?’.

When I was a boy, my parents would sometimes take me camping in California…

Remember how every movie begins with introducing a problem and focusing the entire narrative towards solving that one problem? That’s exactly what needs to be done here!

How to Introduce A Problem in the Opening Remark?

What’s that one related problem that you are addressing in the theme of your talk? Once you have identified this problem, use the call and response technique to prove the viability of that problem in front of your audience.

But hold on, ‘What is the call and response method?’ Here’s how it works:

• Throw a close-ended question towards your audience and ask them for a show of hands
• Analyze the response you get through the show of hands. Consider this as a direction to structure the remainder of your talk.

Once you have got your desired response through the show of hands, mold your rest of the talk towards solving that problem and give your audience a key takeaway!

Example of An Interrogative Opening Remark

While delivering a TEDTalk on ‘What makes a good life?’, Robert Waldinger begins his talk by proposing a problem. Here’s how!

What keeps us healthy and life as we go through life? If you were going to invest, in your future self, where would you put your time and energy?

Looking out for some more examples and inspiration to craft a strong opening remark? We have written an article highlighting 15 Best Speech Opening Examples and How to Use Them? Do check it out.

How to Craft Opening Remarks for Different Scenarios?

Even after reading about all these tips, I’m sure you must be wondering, ‘How do I decide on which technique to use?’

Don’t worry! I’m listing down a few scenarios along with the techniques which work the best there. So, let’s dive in!

Since meetings and seminars demand you to act professionally, you should not really go overboard with creativity and try incorporating fun and engaging elements.

Keeping the opening remark precise, minimalist, and to-the-point is what will work the best here.

Here are a few techniques that you can swear by in such a situation:

• Shock them with Statistics
• What if we use the “What if Scenario?”
• Propose A Problem

With the digitization stepping into our lives, virtual meetings have become an inescapable reality.

Since the attention span is really less in these online settings, you must strive towards making your talk engaging yet informative.

Here are a few techniques that can help you craft a suitable opening remark in this case:

• Props and Placards
• Potential of A Promise
• Sing A Song

But all these techniques won’t work until and unless you are comfortable talking to a camera. If you are not, make sure you check this article on ‘How to Speak (Well) on Camera? ‘

With an interesting line of order already at your disposal, your work as an orator is comparatively a lot easier in this case.

Since the tone of ceremonies and events tend to be either semi-formal or informal, you can afford to be a little creative by employing the following techniques to use:

• Influence with Imagination
• Optimize that Outfit

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Be wary of the fact that the opening remarks can make or break your talk!

I hope that this article provided you with some valuable insight into crafting a strong introduction for your speech. Remember not to use too many techniques at once as it will confuse and disinterest your audience.

Use one or a combination of two complementary techniques at the maximum to craft an effective opening remark and you will be good to go!

The next step now is to start working on your closing remarks. Don’t worry, we’ve written an article on ‘ 10 of the Best Things to Say in Closing Remarks ‘ for you to refer.

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• Formal and informal expressions for opening a meeting

Formal and Informal Expressions for Opening a Meeting

If you are new to running meetings or if you are looking for some more expressions to help you better open a meeting in English, then today I have got you covered.

Running a meeting can be difficult, especially so if English is not your native language. If you are the chairperson for a meeting, then you are responsible for opening a meeting and ensuring that it stays on track.

As with most things in business, there are both formal and informal ways to go about doing business. Sometimes we need to run a small team meeting in an informal setting, while other times we need to host formal meetings with important clients or contractors.

I myself have faced this challenge when working in Spanish. I found it difficult to set the right tone using the Spanish expressions I “thought” I knew would be effective for opening a meeting. Just like I am sure you have worried, I too worried about leaving a good impression with my colleagues and with whoever else was attending the meeting. If you have felt uncomfortable at times with running a meeting in English then I know exactly how you feel.

With this is mind, today I am going to share with you some tips for opening a meeting as well as both formal and informal expressions to help you open your next meeting.

Watch the episode here

Pre-meeting considerations

Before we go any further, let’s start by looking at some quick ideas and tips for opening a meeting. As we discussed in last week’s episode, all important meetings require planning and preparation. Therefore, one of the first things you should do before your meeting starts is to ensure that you have all of the relevant information with you. Additionally, you should test any technical equipment and makes sure your slides and PC work, especially if you are giving a presentation. The next thing that we should be aware of is “small talk”. We should try and engage in small talk right at the beginning of a meeting, even if everybody has not arrived. Small talk can help your guests or other colleagues to feel comfortable and help everyone start to relax before the meeting officially starts. 

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A Step-By-Step Guide To Participating Confidently in English in Your Next Business Meeting. Do you get embarrassed when you need to attend a meeting in English? Maybe you feel frustrated when you can't express yourself clearly. Do you want to be invisible in a meeting, hoping that you won't need to answer any questions? Learn how to confidently participate in meetings that lead to successful outcomes and more business for you and your company, on my course for English language learners

Small talk before the meeting

Firstly, we should then consider some expressions for small talk. The golden rule is to keep it light and make sure the questions are easy to answer. You should avoid talking about religion or politics. Below I have included some of the types of questions you could use to engage in small talk. 

Small talk with someone you know

The phrases below are great if you already know the person that you are chatting to at the beginning of the meeting. You will notice that they are less formal and suggest that you know aspects about their life.

How are you?

Small talk with someone you do not know

The follow sentences should be used when you are small talking with a customer or someone you have not had a long relationship with. These expressions are more polite and express correct forms for asking people questions, without being too personal..

How are you?

Now that we have aspects of small talk covered, let’s move on to the next part where we cover formal and informal expressions for opening a meeting.

Formal expressions for opening a meeting

Take a look at the following expressions, they can be used to open a meeting. They set a formal tone and should be used when dealing with important external participants.

Opening the meeting

• I would like to get started
• I have called this meeting in order to discuss
• This meeting has been called with the aim of

Welcoming participants 

• It’s a pleasure to welcome Jane Rivers
• We are honoured to have Jane Rivers with us today
• Please join me in offering a warm welcome to Jane Rivers

Referring to the agenda

• I trust you all have a copy of the agenda
• Today, our aim is to cover the following agenda items
• As you will all see, the agenda has 4 main items to be covered today
• This meeting has been called to discuss the following agenda items

Referring to timing

• I would like to keep the meeting to one hour
• To respect everyone’s time, this meeting will last for 60 minutes
• I would appreciate it if everyone could keep their contributions short and concise in order to finish the meeting on time

Handing over to another participant

• Mary, would you be so kind to lead with the first item on the agenda?
• Mike, the floor is your in order to open the first item of today’s meeting
• John, it would be a pleasure hearing from you first

Informal expressions for opening a meeting

Now that we have the language for opening a formal meeting, we can now move on to the final part of today’s episode. In the following section I will provide you with some examples of the same steps using informal language.

• Let’s get started
• If everyone is here, we can start the meeting
• Thanks everyone for coming, let’s kick things off
• Thanks for attending Jane
• Can everyone join me in welcoming Jane Rivers?
• It’s great to have Jane joining us today
• Has everyone got a copy of the agenda?
• There are 4 points on the agenda for today
• I want to get through the following 4 items on the agenda today
• I called this meeting to get your views on the 3 points listed on the agenda
• Let’s keep this meeting to one hour
• Today’s meeting should only take an hour
• Can I get everyone to keep their discussion points to 5 minutes? 
• Mary, can you kick things off?
• Mike, it’d be great if you could jump in and take the floor.
• John, can we hear from you first?

Final thoughts

Leading a meeting in English can seem like a challenge, but with these expressions you should feel confident when opening a meeting. Remember, small talk is a great way to make people feel comfortable, so make sure you practice that. Once you have broken the ice and started with a few questions, things get much easier. Well, over to you my friends, let me know if there are any expressions that you like to use when opening a meeting. Take care and I will see you all next week. 

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How to manage a discussion when chairing a meeting, how to get the most out of your q&a, verbs of communication to help your express yourself better.

Andrew is the CEO and founder of the Art of Business English. Besides teaching and coaching native Spanish speakers in Business English, he is also passionate about mountain biking, sailing and healthy living. When He is not working, Andrew loves to spend time with his family and friends.

Andrew Ambrosius

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[2024] Samples Of Welcoming And Short Opening Remarks For A Program

Short opening remarks for a program.

If you’ve ever been to a corporate program, you know that everyone pays close attention to the welcome speech.

The opening remarks are what entice the audience to listen with interest or not want to participate at all.

Given this, short opening remarks for a program are quite significant and should be both lengthy enough to appropriately address everyone in the room and concise enough to avoid boring anyone.

A compelling first line and introduction can quickly grab the audience’s attention. Therefore, making a good first impression is crucial to maintain their interest and excitement throughout the entire event.

Using short speeches is useful when the speaker wants to keep it straightforward, succinct, and impactful without detracting from the main event.

1. You are welcome to [program name]. We’re so happy you could be here with us today.

2. We appreciate your attendance at [program name] and wish you a good [morning/afternoon/evening].

5. I’m glad you could join us for [program name]. We are eager to get started since we have a fantastic program of events planned.

8. Here you are at [program name]. We’re so happy you could join us today to take part and learn.

9. Thank you for attending [program name] this today. We are eager to share with you ideas that will transform your life.

Opening Speech For An Event

Here is an example of an opening speech for an event that you can use as a model or template if you’re unsure of what makes a opening speech.

2. Welcome to our award show. I am _. We feel honoured to kickstart our prestigious ceremony. We have a special guest who will be unveiled soon. Meanwhile, sit back and have fun.

3. I _ welcome everyone to our 11 biannual event in our department. It’s wonderful seeing how many people chose to be here. Your enthusiasm is contagious. We have a lineup of events that will surely tickle your toes. Please stay tuned as the events unfold. Enjoy!

Welcome Speech For Party

1. You are welcome to [party name]. We are very happy that you could share in our celebration.

4. We’ve got a wonderful [party/celebration] planned for you today, and we can’t wait to unveil them to you.

5. We appreciate your attendance at [party name]. For you, we have a fun schedule of events and surprises planned.

7. Welcome to [name of party]. We are looking forward to celebrating with you and having a terrific time.

10. Welcome to [party name] and good morning. We’re so happy you could join us in our celebration. Let’s make this a celebration to remember!

Welcome Speech For Conference

2. Welcome to the conference this year! We join together to exchange ideas, insights, and experiences with tremendous excitement and enthusiasm. We’re all here because [conference topic] is something we’re passionate about, and I do not doubt that the coming days will be full of insightful conversations, new connections, and lots of motivation. I appreciate your presence and wish you a wonderful time.

4. Welcome to the conference this year! We are honored to have you all here with us, and we can’t wait to exchange ideas and experiences, as well as to learn from one another. We’re all here because [conference topic] is something we’re all enthusiastic about, and I do not doubt that the coming days will be full of insightful conversations and fresh connections. I appreciate your coming, and I hope you have a great time.

5. Welcome to the conference this year! We are incredibly appreciative of those who put this program together. Thank you for making time for this. Have a blast!

Welcome Speech For Virtual Event

2. Welcome everyone! We are really happy to have the chance to collaborate online and share knowledge. Feel free to ask questions, share ideas and more importantly, network.

3. Welcome to the online event for this year, everyone! We appreciate having you all here with us (virtually, of course), and we can’t wait to share our knowledge and experiences with you all. We’re all here because [event topic] is close to our hearts, and I do not doubt that the coming hours will be full of fascinating conversations and new connections. So let’s make sure to leave this gathering with a sense of empowerment! Thank you again for coming.

Short Welcome Speech For New Students

Make every new students feel at home in your school with these short welcome speech for new students:

3. Welcome! We are overjoyed to have you here with us and are eager to get to know you all. We wish you the best of luck and hope you study and develop as much as you can while you are at [school/university]. Please inquire if you need assistance and ask plenty of questions. We’re here to encourage yo your success. Welcome again to school/university!

Welcome Speech For Students By Teacher

As a teacher, it makes a big difference when your students warm up to you. It makes learning a breeze for both of you. Get started with one welcome speech for students by teacher from this list.

2. Hello, pupils! I’m glad to have you all in my class today. This year, I’m thrilled to be your teacher, and I’m also eager to learn from you. We’ll be working twice as hard. No room for laziness. Ask if you need anything or if you have any questions. I promise to be your biggest support.

3. Greetings, students! I feel privileged to be your teacher this year. Tell me your name and what you do in the comments. We have a lot to learn and do together, and I am sure we can accomplish a lot. If you have questions or reservations, feel free to spill. Have a nice day.

Welcome Speech For Religious Gathering

If you feel overwhelmed writing a welcome speech for religious gathering, check the following for ideas:

1. Good morning everyone. Welcome to _. We feel blessed to have you hear today. Thank you for choosing to honor God. If you’re worshiping with us for the first time, you’re welcome to this big family. Enjoy the service.

3. It’s a wonderful thing to be alive, and it’s more wonderful to behold your lovely faces. If you’re just joining us, welcome to this part of the Kingdom. You are loved.

6. Hello and welcome again to God’s house. As we’ve gathered, let God’s spirit dwell within us. Allow yourself to enjoy God. If there’s a new person beside you, tell them welcome to church.

9. It makes my heart glad that you’re all here. To the newbies, you have a special place in our hearts. I pray that God’s love overwhelms you in worship today.

Short Welcome Speech For Church

A short welcome speech for church can be a great way to make your church me

1. A big welcome to church. Thank you for choosing to worship God in this place. We hope you have a great time here.

Opening Remarks Sample For Different Purposes

At times, there will be need to make opening remarks sample for different purposes. You don’t want to be stuck when those periods come.

Prepare ahead with these samples below:

3. Welcome to this year’s charity event, everyone! We are incredibly appreciative of the chance to band together and help [cause/charity]. We are all present because we value the value of giving back and the strength of the community. We appreciate your presence; let’s work together to change the world.

5. Welcome to this year’s graduation ceremony, graduates, family members, and friends! We are thrilled to have the chance to recognize the accomplishments of our graduates. This is a unique event, one on which we should reflect on all that we have accomplished and look ahead to all that we will accomplish in the future. Thank you for coming, and on this historic occasion, congrats to our graduates!

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80 template of attractive short welcome message for customers on whatsapp, instagram, online store.

Prayer Requests and Learning How to Pray

• BROWSE TOPICS X
• Devotionals
• Newsletters

20+ Opening Prayers for Starting Meetings and Events

• Meg Bucher Author
• Updated Apr 25, 2024

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“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18

Whether you are headed into a work meeting that needs guidance and wisdom or gathering as a small group or church, these opening prayers will set your focus on God's will. These simple and short prayers will help you invite the Holy Spirit into your hearts and minds and bless your time together. 

3 Quick Opening Prayers

Opening Prayer for Meeting: Heavenly Father, we come before you today in humility and faith. We thank you for all you have given us and the many blessings in our lives. We ask for your guidance and strength. Show us the way and fill us with courage and wisdom. Help us to remember your love and grace and to be faithful in our service to you. Give us the patience and understanding to face life's challenges with grace. We ask these things in your name. Amen.

Opening Prayer for Bible Study: "Dear Lord, as we open Your Word today, enlighten our minds and stir our hearts. Help us to understand the scriptures and apply them to our lives. May Your Holy Spirit guide our study and deepen our faith as we seek to know You better. Through Christ our Lord, Amen."

Opening Prayer for Worship: "Lord of all, as we gather to worship You, we ask for hearts open to Your presence. Fill this place with Your Spirit and our souls with Your peace. Let every song, prayer, and word spoken glorify You and draw us closer in communion with You and each other. In Your holy name, we worship. Amen."

Instead of back-building worry and anxiety as we attempt to forecast an unknown future, Paul begs us to “Pray about everything in every way you know how!” (Ephesians 6:18 VOICE). Stop to consider what the situations of our daily lives might look like if we paused to pray into them and about them more. Whether starting a business meeting, church service, or family event, you can use these prayers to join together and ask God for guidance and blessing.

Prayer can change our situation. It can move the heart of God. And I believe sometimes prayer allows us to understand our situations rather than affect the outcome. Our hearts change as we seek God’s wisdom and Truth.

Download our free PDF of helpful Prayers for Guidance HERE . Save them to your phone or print them before meetings and events!

Living in OT times, King David did not experience prayer the way we do today. Yet, even He knew that true peace came only from God. In Psalm 3, as he faces yet another terrifying and humiliating season of his life, he focuses on God’s character and faithfulness.  

“O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’ But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.” Psalm 3:1-3 NIV

Here are powerful opening prayers to start your gathering with God's guidance. Use them to begin asking God to bless and inspire your time together!

An Opening Prayer for a Meeting

Father, Thank You for every seat that has been filled here, today. For each mind and heart that fills the presence of this room, we thank You. Only You truly know what we are setting out to accomplish today. We have an idea, a vision, hints, and daily instructions. We have talents, abilities, and time to work. However, only You can see in perfect detail the end of every beginning. Every project, every season, every life. Nothing is ever in vain, for even mistakes and missteps are used for good.

Your righteousness transcends all our efforts and understanding. Forgive us for our pride . The pride that puffs us up and the pride that threatens to unqualify us. Strengthen our confidence in who You have made us to be. Set us free from comparison in order to work together efficiently.

Bless this meeting today, all those present, as well as the lives of those we will encounter afterward. Ready us to make every moment count. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

A Prayer of Gratitude

Dear God,  Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that you are Able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. 

Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy!

In Jesus' Name, Amen. ( Debbie McDaniel )

Image credit: ©Getty Images/Rawpixel

A Prayer to Open an Event

Father, Praise You for this event, and Your purpose for it. We know that when we gather together, You always have a divine agenda. We love You for that, Father. That even when we have done what You have asked, the results are so much greater than we ever could have imagined. Even in failed attempts, You blow us away with Your faithfulness to provide what we need.

Our prayer today is that Your will be done through this event. Take what we have prepared and multiply our efforts as only You can. Steer our intentions to align with Your righteous will. Remind us of Your faithful provision when our efforts fail us or fall short. May all glory go up to You when we reach the finish line and climb over benchmarks. Blanket us with Your peace today, Father. Keep us physically safe and guard our hearts and minds from pride and selfishness. Keep love at the forefront of our minds today, and the guiding light for all we set out to accomplish and celebrate. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For the Spirit to Work

Dear Lord, as we rise to meet each new day, please let us be filled with Your spirit. Wherever we go, let us spread love, joy, peace, goodness, and faithfulness. Let us desire to become more like you and to worship you in all we do. Help us desire these things so much more than the sin that entices us. Thank you for always going before us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Image credit: ©Pexels/fauxels

An Opening Prayer for Group Humility and Peace

Father, As we gather together, we praise You for this day and Your purpose for it. Reset our agendas, as we sit in Your presence. For You assure us that where two or more gather in Your name You are here. Recalibrate our intentions and refocus our hearts. Your will for our lives does not always reflect our plans. Change them to reflect Your will. Help us to understand that we don’t need full clarity to walk into the unique purpose You’ve inlaid in our lives.

Lift our eyes to seek You first today, and always, surrendering our need to achieve, understand, and be known. Shift our perspective to seek Your peace above all else. In every situation we ponder in our daily lives, let the Holy Spirit translate Your commands. Give us renewed strength and godly courage to obey You without questioning. Forgive us for striving beyond our means, worrying, and forcing results.

Only You know what lies ahead. You are our good Father, just and righteous . Though our circumstances will be unfair from time to time in this life, You are always our unwavering protector and shield ( Psalm 3:3 ). Keep the words of King David fresh in our minds, and renew our hearts to the tune of Your truth.“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.” Psalm 3:5 NIV Let Your peace rain down on us today, as we seek You more than anything else. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Against Evil and Temptation

Father God, we praise you for your love and faithfulness towards your children. We praise you for being a perfect, holy, trustworthy God that is bigger than all the evil we experience here on earth. We ask that you give us eyes to see when evil is before us, hearts to hate evil and the desire to flee from its presence. We ask that you would not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil and draw us closer to yourself. We ask for the long-expected Jesus to come quickly and make all things new. We ask these things His precious name. Amen. ( Beth Ann Baus )

Image credit: Unsplash/Jack Sharp

A Prayer for Group Peace and Understanding

Father, As the events of the day continue to unfold, we seek Your clarity and Your peace. We know You are with us and for us as we gather together to seek Your counsel. Scripture reminds us the more we seek You the more we will find You. Lead our surrendered hearts to the path of Your peace today.

Come fully into our situation, both as a group and individually. And sort out the muddled feelings and distorted thoughts that plague us. Cover us with a blanket of honesty and patience that is not of this world.

Holy Spirit , translate our desires and pleadings, and may we understand the faithful response of our great Father. Jesus walked the earth to explain so much to us, and to save us from eternal suffering. Yet, on this earth He promised us that we would encounter much pain.

Struggling for solutions amidst differing personalities can seem impossible. Thankfully, we are not expected to be perfect. Thankfully, we’re told in the Bible that we will all fall short. So, as we sit here today, let us release the bind of blame in exchange for accord. Help us to endure disagreement and strife with godly courage and love. Grant us peace in knowing we are pursuing Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

A Prayer of Blessing

Thank you for your great love and blessing over our lives. Thank you that your favor has no end, but it lasts for our entire lifetime. Forgive us for sometimes forgetting that you are intimately acquainted with all of our ways, that you know what concerns us, and you cover us, as with a shield. We ask for your guidance so that we might walk fully in your blessing and goodness today. We ask that your face would shine on us. That you would open the right doors for our lives and for our loved ones, that you would close the wrong doors and protect us from those we need to walk away from.

Establish the work of our hands and bring to fulfillment all that you have given us to do in these days. We pray that you would make our way purposeful and our footsteps firm out of your goodness and love. Give us a heart of wisdom to hear your voice, and make us strong by your huge favor and grace. In Jesus name, Amen. ( Debbie McDaniel )

Photo credit: © Getty Images/Rawpixel

To Stand Firm 

Dear God, We thank you that you hold the victory over sin and death in this world. We thank you for your redemptive work you’ve done in our lives.  We thank you for freedom and the hope you bring.

Your word says to “stand our ground,” and that’s what we will do, in the power of your Name. The enemy has no control over us, and we bring your word of Truth as weapon against his schemes. We know that we do not fight alone, for you are constantly at work on behalf of your children, shielding, protecting, strengthening, exposing deeds of darkness, bringing to light what needs to be known, covering us from the cruel attacks we face even when we’re unaware.

We ask that you would give us wisdom and discernment to recognize the schemes of the enemy in our lives and to stand strong against his work. We ask that you would remind us to pray, constantly, for all believers. We ask that you would help us to stay alert in a dark world that tries hard to make things look “not so bad.” We ask that you would equip us to be salt and light, that we would be loving and gracious, yet unyielding to sin.

We ask that you help us to remember to put on your armor daily, for you give us all that we need to stand firm in this day. We thank you that though you remind us in your word that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one, you are still far greater and we have overcome, because you have set us free.

We thank you for your truth, “no weapon formed that is formed against you will prosper,” and that you tell us this is our “heritage” in you, our inherited blessing, place of possession, and gift straight from your hand. We love you Lord. We need you.  We stand together in your great and powerful Name. In Jesus ’ Name, Amen. (Debbie McDaniel)

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Rawpixel

To Renew Our Minds

Lord, help us to study and apply your Word to our lives each day. Help us make this a discipline of the mind and heart, empowered by Your Spirit, transforming us each day more and more into your likeness. Help us have self-awareness of when we’re falling into temptation and turn quickly back to you. Thank you for your tender mercy and love, ever leading us onward. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

A Prayer to Prepare

Father in Heaven, Abba, Yahweh, who delights in His children. Jesus, Messiah, who calls us friends. Holy Spirit, gift from above and constant companion. Glory be to the One True, Triune, God! You know when we are lost, Lord. You found us, heaped in our own motivations and confused by worldly principles. You rescued us, defeating death on the cross and rising to sit at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Your reach into our everyday lives, our messy circumstances, forever changes us.

Not one day of our lives is more or less important. No one person more or less loved. In Your perfect way, You hold the world in balance and our souls in tune. You hear every voice, every prayer, every cry, and every shout of praise, simultaneously and always! Your ways are not our ways, but oh, God… please lead us in Your purpose for our lives.

Let Your glory, Light, and Living Water flow from our lives. May all who know us feel the love You have for all …and the care in which You save the lost. Jesus, in Your Powerful Name we pray, Amen.

To Embrace and Enjoy Life

Father, Help us to embrace and enjoy the life you’ve given us to live. We are not accidentally here on earth! Each day we awake to breathe, you faithfully meet us with purpose. Holy Spirit, faithfully nudge and reminds us that we are children of God, freed from the chains of sin by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection and assertion to heaven where He is seated by the Father. Bless our minds to remember and embrace the freedom, hope, joy and peace we have in Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.

An Opening Prayer of Confession

Gracious Lord, give us the courage to seek forgiveness. Remind us that confession is never a mistake; it frees us from the chains of the enemy. We know we cannot hide our hearts from you. Help us to let go of our bitterness and fear, and purify us with the knowledge that you have taken away every sin. In your name, Amen.

photo credit: GettyImages/Rawpixel

An Opening Prayer for Atonement

Heavenly Father,  We are all your children, and you love us in a way we can hardly fathom. Help us to see past the issues that divide us, and see one another with eyes free of hate. We have sinned. We have struck at our brothers and sisters with malice in our heart. We have made enemies of others while claiming to be your disciples. Help us to atone for these sins, and remember to love our neighbors and we love ourselves.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

To Aim Hearts Toward God

Dear Lord, Thank you that the teachings in Scripture are still relevant to our lives today. Your Word is “ alive and active.” We ask that the Holy Spirit please open our eyes so we may see anything that is hindering our relationship with you.

Reveal things, people, or attitudes of our hearts that no longer nurture or nourish our walk with you. Please forgive us for the idols we place above you. Forgive us for not honoring you with our whole heart.

Forgive our half-hearted devotion and misplaced affections. Continue to guide us and teach us the truth of your Word. May we not harden our heart when we hear your voice , but rather circumcise those things of our heart that you’re asking us to remove.

May we become more righteous in your eyes. Thank you for your power and strength of the Holy Spirit to begin opening the eyes of our heart so our devotion can be solely on you. We love you, and praise you and your majesty. In Jesus’ Name, Amen ( Alisha Headley )

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Justin Kendra

To Be Unshakeable

God, help us. Where we are weak, make us strong. Where we are wavering, help us lay our anchor down. May we find strength through knowing you hold us. We no longer need to be held down by the world's claws. May we believe you are so believable we see your hand in our everything. May we so fall into your arms of grace, so we never feel the pangs of condemnation rip us apart. That is not you. And, truly, we want nothing that is not associated with you - it will only leave us empty. God, you are one that leaves us on full. Not once, but all the time. God, give us you. Increase our faith ; make us into fighters who don't back down. May we know, strongly, you are what we need to run after. You are the answer to everything. You are the only way. Tie down our heart into you. Amen. ( Kellie Balarie )

To Find Fulfillment in God

Heavenly Father, please help us find fulfillment in your presence. Help us to live in such a way that our actions serve as a reflection of your own grace and mercy. Teach us to seek first your Kingdom, in a life that brings glory to your name. Amen.

As we journey through life, may these opening prayers serve as guiding words - granting is wisdom, unity, and grace in our time together. Let us remember the power of coming together in prayer , as it strengthens our bonds, deepens our faith , and aligns us with the purpose of our gatherings. May these moments of connection with the divine lead us to greater understanding, compassion, and shared joy in each other's company. Amen.

Main photo credit: ©GettyImages/Fizkes

A Prayer to Glorify God after Group Success

Father, We are here today to celebrate great success! In a world full of chaos and calamity, we are embracing a moment of triumph in Your name and for Your glory. Once again, we have experienced the miracle of Your sustenance, as King David so appropriately penned in Psalm 4:7 : “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.”

Father, our hearts, the very center of our humanity and our souls, are filled by You. In extreme emotion, this indescribable feeling is even more pronounced. We are aware that we could not see this great success come to fruition without the individual purpose You have put in each person here today. Thank You for bringing us together to accomplish this great feat for Your glory, though the odds were stacked against us as they often are.   

Guard our hearts from pride and selfish gain as we celebrate today. Let it fuel our faith in You as our provider and our sustainer. Filler of our hearts. May all glory for our achievements go up to You today and always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

For God's Design

Father, I thank You for our sameness. I thank You that we are brothers and sisters by Your design. May that truth shape how we view others, but first, may it shape how we view ourselves. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ( Matt Chandler )

photo credit: ©GettyImages/Molchanovdmitry,  Video credits for audio, video, photos: Soundstripe, Storyblocks, LightStock, ThinkStock

Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ on her blog, https://sunnyand80.org . She is a stay-at-home mom, freelance writer, blogger, and preparing to release her first book, “Friends with Everyone.” She resides in Northern Ohio with her husband of eleven years, two daughters, and their Golden-doodle.

This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to  pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

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This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering  how to pray  or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

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Transform Your Meetings with Powerful Opening Reflections

Andrew Pearce

Meetings are the backbone of team collaboration and decision-making. Yet, all too often, they can become routine, uninspired, or even counterproductive. 

Incorporating reflections for meetings can dramatically shift this dynamic, turning every gathering into an opportunity for growth, alignment, and inspiration. 

This article explores how to leverage reflections to transform your meetings.

The Power of Reflections in Meetings

Reflections for meetings are more than just a way to start a conversation; they are a strategic tool to set the tone, foster a culture of openness, and encourage meaningful engagement. 

These reflections can take various forms, from mindfulness minutes and positive quotes to discussions about recent challenges and personal goals . 

By starting meetings with a moment of reflection, you create a safe space for team members to share and engage deeply with the meeting's content.

Categories of Opening Reflections

• Focus and Purpose : Begin with a clear statement of the meeting's goal, helping participants align their thoughts and contributions towards a common objective.
• Team Dynamics and Collaboration : Encourage open dialogue and acknowledge the collective effort, emphasizing the value of every team member's input.
• Progress and Achievement : Celebrate recent successes and reflect on lessons learned, using best quotes and stories of overcoming challenges to inspire continued effort and resilience.
• Inspirational Reflections : Share quotable quotes or short stories that motivate and challenge the team to think bigger and push beyond their limits.
• Gratitude and Acknowledgment : Take a moment to express appreciation for the hard work and dedication of team members, recognizing their contributions to the team's success.

Innovative Reflection Ideas

• Share a Motivational Quote : Kick off the meeting with a quote that resonates with the meeting's theme, sparking inspiration and reflection.
• A Moment of Mindfulness : Dedicate a minute at the beginning for everyone to center themselves, fostering a focused and present mindset.
• Celebrating Wins : Allow team members to share personal or professional wins, building a positive atmosphere and strengthening team bonds.
• Powerful Questions : Pose a thought-provoking question related to the meeting's agenda, encouraging participants to think deeply and share their insights.
• Guest Speaker Insights : Occasionally invite a guest speaker to share fresh perspectives, adding variety and external wisdom to your reflections.

Making Reflections Effective

For reflections to truly enhance your meetings, they should be:

• Relevant : Tailor reflections to the meeting's purpose and the team's current context.
• Inclusive : Encourage participation from all team members, ensuring everyone feels valued and heard.
• Varied : Rotate between different types of reflections to keep meetings dynamic and engaging.
• Brief : Keep reflections concise to maintain focus and respect the meeting's time constraints.

Beyond the Opening

While starting with a reflection sets a positive tone, maintaining engagement throughout the meeting is crucial. 

Incorporate interactive elements, such as live polls or breakout discussions, and ensure the meeting's structure allows for reflection on action items and decisions made.

Incorporating reflections into your meetings is a transformative practice that can elevate your team's productivity, creativity, and well-being. 

By carefully selecting and facilitating these opening moments, you create a foundation for meetings that are not only more effective but also more enjoyable and meaningful for everyone involved. 

As you plan your next meeting, consider how a thoughtful reflection can lead to deeper engagement, clearer focus, and a stronger sense of purpose among your team members.

Meetings are great! Or are you sure of that?

How do you actually ask for feedback about your meetings? Or how can one measure if the meetings are any good? Cultup has you covered! 

With 5 different scientifically proven ways, you simply select which types of quality measurements you want and press play; Cultup handles the rest! 

The five different quality measurements range from the simplest form which is very quick and easy to measure after every meeting, to more advanced forms of behavioral measurement that take about 30 seconds to answer and can be made more sporadically when the timing is right.

Incorporating a structured feedback mechanism like Cultup into your meeting practices ensures continuous improvement and satisfaction among team members, making every meeting not just good but great.

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18 Perfect Opening And Closing Prayers For Meetings

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Opening and closing prayers for meetings, proverbs 3:5-6, matthew 18:20, colossians 3:14, proverbs 15:23, 1 corinthians 2:10, proverbs 2:6, proverbs 16:3, philippians 2:3, proverbs 16:24, philippians 4:7, ephesians 4:2, 1 corinthians 12:20-21, 1 thessalonians 5:18, psalm 121:7-8, matthew 5:9, numbers 6:24-26.

In today’s fast-paced world, taking a moment to start or end a meeting with a heartfelt prayer can set a positive tone and bring people together.

Whether you’re leading a corporate meeting, a community gathering, or a personal event, choosing the right opening and closing prayers can be a significant part of creating a meaningful experience.

In this article, we’ll explore 18 opening and closing prayers for meetings that cater to various occasions, from traditional to contemporary options.

Meetings serve as opportunities to connect, collaborate, and achieve common goals. Incorporating prayers can add a sense of unity and purpose to these gatherings. Let’s go into the world of meaningful prayers that can transform any meeting into a memorable and spiritually enriching experience.

1. A Prayer for Guidance and Wisdom as We Begin:

Dear God, as we gather here today, we humbly seek your guidance and wisdom. Grant us clarity of thought and understanding as we embark on this meeting. Help us to make decisions that align with your will and bring about positive outcomes.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” We trust in your divine wisdom, Lord, and we submit ourselves to your guidance. Lead us in the right direction and bless our discussions. Amen.

2. Invoking the Presence of the Divine in Our Gathering:

Heavenly Father, we come before you today, acknowledging your presence among us. We invite your divine presence to fill this meeting room and bless our time together. May your spirit guide our thoughts, words, and actions so that everything we do brings glory to your name.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Lord, we believe in the power of your presence. As we gather here, we trust that you are with us, guiding and directing our meeting. Thank you for being here with us. Amen.

3. A Prayer for Unity and Harmony Among Us:

Gracious God, we come before you, recognising that we are all unique individuals with different perspectives and opinions. We ask for your grace to unite us in harmony and understanding. Help us to listen to one another with open hearts and minds, valuing each person’s contribution.

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Lord, we pray for your love to bind us together in perfect unity. May our discussions be filled with respect and kindness, fostering an atmosphere of harmony. Amen.

4. Seeking blessings for productive and fruitful discussions:

Heavenly Father, we seek your blessings upon our discussions today. Grant us the wisdom to engage in meaningful conversations that lead to productive outcomes. May our words be filled with grace and our ideas be fruitful.

“A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!” Lord, we pray for your guidance in our discussions. May our words be timely and beneficial, bringing joy and understanding to all involved. Bless our conversations with productivity and positive outcomes. Amen.

5. Opening Our Hearts to Receive Divine Inspiration:

Loving God, as we begin this meeting , we open our hearts to receive your divine inspiration. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we may be guided by your wisdom and insight. Help us to think creatively and innovatively, seeking solutions that align with our purpose.

“These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” Lord, we rely on your Spirit to reveal deep insights to us. Inspire us with your wisdom and guide our thoughts and ideas. Amen.

6. A Prayer for Clarity and Understanding in Our Meeting:

Gracious Father, we come before you, asking for clarity and understanding in our meeting today. Remove any confusion or misunderstandings that may hinder our progress. Grant us the ability to communicate effectively and to comprehend one another’s perspectives.

“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Lord, we seek your wisdom and understanding. Illuminate our minds and hearts, that we may grasp the issues at hand and find common ground. Bless us with clarity and insight throughout this meeting. Amen.

7. Inviting Divine Intervention for a Successful Outcome:

Heavenly Father, we invite your divine intervention in this meeting. We acknowledge that our plans and efforts are nothing without your guidance and blessing. We surrender our agenda to you and ask for your will to be done.

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Lord, we commit this meeting to you. Establish our plans and guide us towards a successful outcome. May your divine intervention be evident in every decision we make. Amen.

8. Asking for Divine Guidance in Decision-Making:

Gracious God, as we face important decisions in this meeting, we seek your divine guidance. Grant us discernment and wisdom to make choices that align with your will. Help us to consider the needs and perspectives of all involved, and lead us towards decisions that bring about positive outcomes.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Lord, we ask for your wisdom in our decision-making. Give us clarity and insight, that we may choose wisely. Amen.

9. A Prayer for Respect and Open-mindedness Among Participants:

Loving Father, we come before you, asking for respect and open-mindedness among all participants in this meeting. Help us to value one another’s opinions and to listen attentively. May we engage in healthy discussions that foster understanding and cooperation.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Lord, we pray for humility and respect to guide our interactions. May we value one another’s contributions and treat each other with kindness and understanding. Amen.

10. Seeking Divine Blessings for Effective Communication:

Heavenly Father, we seek your blessings for effective communication in this meeting. Grant us the ability to express our thoughts clearly and to listen attentively to one another. May our words be filled with grace and understanding, fostering an atmosphere of open dialogue.

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Lord, we pray for gracious words to flow from our lips. May our communication be uplifting and healing, promoting understanding and cooperation. Bless our conversations with effective communication. Amen.

11. Invoking Divine Peace and Calmness in Our Meeting:

Gracious God, we invite your divine peace and calmness to fill this meeting room. Still, our hearts and minds, that we may approach our discussions with a spirit of tranquility. Help us to navigate any conflicts or tensions with grace and understanding.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Lord, we seek your peace that surpasses all understanding. Guard our hearts and minds, and grant us the serenity to handle any challenges that arise. Amen.

12. A Prayer for Patience and Tolerance During Challenging Discussions:

Loving Father, we acknowledge that challenging discussions may arise in this meeting. Grant us the patience and tolerance to navigate these moments with grace. Help us to listen attentively and to respond with kindness and understanding.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Lord, we pray for humility, gentleness, and patience. May we bear with one another in love, even during challenging discussions. Grant us the ability to find common ground and to work towards resolutions that honor you. Amen.

13. Asking for Divine Blessings for a Spirit of Cooperation:

Heavenly Father, we ask for your blessings upon us, so that we may foster a spirit of cooperation in this meeting. Help us to set aside personal agendas and work towards a common goal. May we support and encourage one another, recognizing that we are stronger together.

“As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!'” Lord, we acknowledge our interdependence and the importance of cooperation. Unite us as one body, working together for a greater purpose. Amen.

14. Seeking Divine Wisdom to Overcome Obstacles and Challenges:

Gracious God, we seek your divine wisdom to overcome any obstacles or challenges that may arise in this meeting. Grant us the insight to find creative solutions and the perseverance to overcome any setbacks.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Lord, we ask for your wisdom to guide us. Give us the discernment to overcome obstacles and the courage to face challenges head-on. Bless us with your divine guidance. Amen.

15. A Prayer for Gratitude and Appreciation for Our Time Together:

Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude and appreciation for this time together. Thank you for the opportunity to gather and discuss important matters. Help us to recognize the value of each person’s contribution and to express our gratitude sincerely.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Lord, we give thanks for this meeting and for the blessings it brings. May our gratitude be evident in our words and actions. We appreciate your presence with us. Amen.

16. Inviting Divine Blessings for a Safe and Productive Meeting:

Gracious God, we invite your divine blessings upon this meeting, so that it may be safe and productive. Protect us from any harm or distractions that may hinder our progress. Grant us the focus and energy to engage fully in our discussions.

“The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Lord, we trust in your protection. Keep us safe and secure throughout this meeting, and bless us with productivity and positive outcomes. Amen.

17. Asking for Divine Guidance in Resolving Conflicts and Differences:

Loving Father, conflicts and differences may arise in this meeting. We ask for your divine guidance in resolving them. Grant us the humility to listen, the wisdom to find common ground, and the grace to forgive.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Lord, we desire to be peacemakers. Guide us in resolving conflicts and differences, that we may foster unity and understanding. Bless our efforts with your divine wisdom. Amen.

18. Closing Our Meeting with a Prayer of Thanks and Blessings:

Heavenly Father, as we come to the end of this meeting, we offer our thanks and praise to you. Thank you for your presence with us and for guiding our discussions. We ask for your blessings upon each participant as we depart from here.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Lord, we pray for your blessings, grace, and peace to be upon us. Thank you for your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Incorporating opening and closing prayers into your meetings is a beautiful way to foster unity, create a positive atmosphere, and infuse your gatherings with a sense of purpose.

Whether you choose traditional or contemporary prayers, the key is to select words that resonate with your group’s values and beliefs. By doing so, you’ll make your meetings more meaningful and memorable.

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6 Prayers For Opening A Meeting

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Use these 6 prayers for opening a meeting to pray for your team, to glorify God in your work, direction, good communication, and more.

Whether you’re meeting with a group for work in your business, Bible study, with church staff, or you’re having a board meeting – whatever meeting lies ahead, it is also important to remember to ask God to steer the ship through prayer.

Meetings can be complicated. When people with different opinions and personalities come together, it can be easy to clash and to fall off track.

When you open up a meeting with prayer, it is not only an opportunity to seek God’s wisdom and guidance but to pray for each person who will be attending the meeting. There is a sense of unity that prayer brings when a group of people lean not on their own wisdom but seek God’s wisdom and understanding.

Opening up a meeting with prayer is a reminder that God is ultimately in control. Therefore, we can lean on Him and trust in Him to lead us and give us guidance and clarity. If you’re needing some inspiration for prayers to open your meetings with, I hope these are exactly what you’re looking for!

Below, you will find these 6 prayers:

• A Short Prayer for Opening A Meeting
• An Opening Prayer for Teamwork
• An Opening Prayer to Find Solutions
• An Opening Prayer for Direction
• An Opening Prayer to Glorify God In All You Do
• An Opening Prayer for Good Communication

1. A Short Prayer for Opening A Meeting

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Lord in Heaven,

We come before You, offering our thanks for bringing us together safely. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that our safe arrival, and departure is a grace from You. As we prepare for this meeting, we ask that You would be with us. May our thoughts be lead by You, and our conversations be inspired by You. Help us to put our own agendas to the side, and seek Your will and outcome for this meeting. Please grant us wisdom in times of uncertainty, and clarity in times of confusion. Lead us to solutions, and help us strengthen us as a group. In Jesus’ name, amen.

2. An Opening Prayer for Teamwork

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Thank You for every person who is present at this meeting. It is amazing that You know each one of us, as though there were only one of us. There is not a single thing hidden from You. You know our every thought, You know our strengths and You know our weaknesses. Through Your grace and providence You have brought us all together.

I ask that You would help us to function, not as individuals with their own motives, but as a team, working towards a common goal. If there is anything keeping us from coming together as a team, I ask that You would help us address those things and be willing to work through it. I know that You desire unity, and that the enemy is the one who seeks to divide and destroy.

But we ask that You would allow this team to be built on You, our firm and steady foundation. Help us to act in love towards one another, and to season our words with grace. May we grow to appreciate one another’s gifts and strengthen and be gracious in times where we fall short or make mistakes. May we come together with our eyes fixed on You, and our hearts desiring to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

3. An Opening Prayer to Find Solutions

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5

We gather here today, acknowledging that our understanding often falls short. We have a vision, and we have ideas but we don’t want to depend on our own understanding for solutions and the way forward. We know that though we make plans, You are ultimately the one who establishes our footsteps.

Help us to submit our plans to You, and to seek Your guidance. You know the areas where we are struggling to figure out what to do, or how to go about it. I ask that You clear our minds from anything that may distract us from our time together. I ask that You would graciously fill us with Your wisdom and understanding, and show us how to move forward. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

4. An Opening Prayer for Direction

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8

Heavenly Father,

Today we’ve come together to seek Your direction as a team. We thank You for how faithfully You have carried us in the past. Through both the ups, that included victories and growth and through the downs that included challenges, and mistakes.

Through all of it You remained unchanged. And we are so thankful that we get to pray to You today. Though our vision only stretches so far, You see beyond what we can see, and Your understanding goes further than what our minds can comprehend. That is why we come to You in prayer, asking that You go before us.

Please grant us direction as we face different decisions that need to be made. If we settle on a decision, I ask that You grant us peace if it is what You will for us. We seek Your counsel and wisdom, and ask that You would show us the way. In Jesus’ matchless name, amen.

5. An Opening Prayer to Glorify God In All You Do

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

We are so thankful for Your kindness towards us. Thank You that You brought us together safely, and that we get to fellowship with one another. Today we acknowledge that our lives, our plans, our ideas and our desires are nothing if not for Your glory. We thank You for all that You have done in us thus far, and we praise You for all the work that You are yet to do in and through us.

We ask that You would remind us that it is not about our own prestige or glory, but it is all about You. We ask that You would help us to do all things for Your glory. Guard our hearts from self-focused boasting and pride. May we remember that we represent You. Help us to display You to one another and to others . May they see You through all we do. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

6. An Opening Prayer for Good Communication

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29

We come to You, with thankful hearts for bringing us together today. As we prepare to meet together, I ask that You fill each of our hearts with Your presence. Help us to use the time we have together wisely. I ask that You would remind us to place one another’s needs above our own. Please remove any selfish gain from among us, and help us to seek the good of those around us.

Grant us patience towards each other, and help us to be respectful of each other’s input. We can all learn from one another, and none of us is more important than the next. As we have various conversations, I ask that You would help us to communicate well. If there are any misunderstandings, I ask that You would help us to clear them up.

May we be quick to hear and slow to speak. May we be even slower to take offense, and quick to show grace and forgiveness. May our speech be seasoned with salt, and our hearts filled with grace. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

Looking for more prayers? Read These:

• 7 Prayers For Clarity & Direction
• 6 Sincere Prayers For Forgiveness From Sins
• 8 Prayers When You’re Worried
• 6 Comforting Prayers For Peace
• 6 Encouraging Prayers For Hope
• 6 Fervent Prayers For Self Control
• 6 Prayers For Joy
• 6 Prayers For Controlling Your Anger

Gordon Voysey

Tuesday 16th of January 2024

Thank you for this inspirational site I was called by Jesus for service 57 years ago and despite it seeming like yesterday we will ever need to practice the wisdom and sheer necessity that this lovely prayer site offers. Thank you all so very much and may our Great God ever bless us in Christ Jesus. Amen.

TSUFAC Rose

Tuesday 25th of July 2023

Emily Lumwach

Tuesday 4th of July 2023

Thank you for prayers continue praying for me and family

Samwel Omondi

Friday 30th of June 2023

I really learn many things on prayers

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12 Impactful Opening Prayers For Meetings (+ Verses)

Whether you are leading a business meeting, a team huddle, or a prayer gathering, here are 12 impactful opening prayers for meetings that can help start your session off on the right foot.

An opening prayer for a meeting can set the tone for the entire session. It can help those in attendance focus their minds and hearts on the purpose of the meeting, invite guidance and wisdom from the Lord, and create a sense of unity among participants.

Whether you are leading a business meeting, a team huddle, or a prayer gathering , here are 12 impactful opening prayers for meetings that can help start your session off on the right foot.

Opening Prayer For Wisdom

Father in heaven,

We ask for your wisdom as we begin this meeting. We acknowledge that we need your wisdom and insights and we welcome your presence among us. Guide us in our discussions and decisions, helping us to seek what is best for all involved. We trust in your perfect wisdom and ask that you direct our meeting according to your will.

In James 1:5 it says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." We claim this promise as we start our meeting and trust in your provision.

Thank you for being with us always.

A Prayer Of Thanksgiving

Before we start this meeting, we want to begin with thanksgiving . During this meeting, we will discuss many things and make many decisions. But we never want to lose sight of our gratefulness to you.

Thank you for your faithfulness and provision in our lives. Thank you for each person in this meeting and the unique talents and perspectives they bring. We thank you for the opportunity to gather together and work towards a common goal.

In everything give thanks, as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." May our hearts be filled with gratitude as we start this meeting and may it guide us throughout.

In Jesus' name,

A Beginning Prayer For Unity

Heavenly Father,

As we gather together today, we ask for your spirit of unity to be present among us. Help us to put aside any personal agendas or differences and work together in harmony towards our common goal.

Remind us of the words in Psalm 133:1, "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" Let this be our desire as we engage in discussions and make decisions that impact others.

We trust that with your guidance and grace, we can achieve a sense of unity and work together effectively. May our words be filled with love and respect for one another, and may our actions reflect the unity we strive for.

In your holy name,

Prayer For Humility

Our Father,

As we begin this meeting, we start by asking for humility. Whenever ideas are shared, there will always be the temptation for us to be proud. We will be tempted to defend our ideas too strongly. We will be tempted to dismiss others' opinions without carefully considering them.

But we know that "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6)

Help us to approach this meeting with a humble heart, open to hearing and learning from one another. Let your spirit guide our discussions so that we may come to decisions that are not just based on our own understanding, but also on your wisdom and guidance.

We thank you for the reminder to remain humble and seek unity in all that we do. May this meeting be a reflection of your love, grace, and humility.

In your precious name,

Opening Prayer For Guidance

Gracious God,

As we come before you today to discuss important matters, we ask for your guidance and wisdom. You are the source of all knowledge and understanding; therefore, we seek your direction in our decision-making process.

In the Bible we read, " Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. " (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Help us to listen attentively to one another, with open hearts and minds. May we not be quick to judge or criticize but instead seek to understand different perspectives. We pray that you will give us the discernment to make the best decisions for the greater good.

We trust that you will guide us on this path and lead us to reach a consensus that reflects your will. May our words and actions be guided by your love and grace.

In your mighty name, we pray,

A Starting Prayer For Peace

We open this meeting by asking for your peace. You are the source of all peace and in your we find our peace. You are a God of order and not confusion. We ask that you would help us to approach this meeting with a spirit of peace and harmony.

In your Word, we read, " Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. " (Colossians 3:15)

We pray that any disagreements or conflicts that may arise will be resolved peacefully . Help us to communicate with respect and understanding, always seeking common ground.

We also pray for the peace of mind and heart for each person in this meeting. May we trust in your plans and have faith that you are working all things together for good.

In Jesus' name, we pray,

Beginning Prayer For Blessing

We start this meeting by asking for your abundant blessing. We know that you love to bless your children and that Jesus Christ has secured all of our blessings for us. We boldly ask that you would pour out your richest blessing on this meeting. May our decisions be wise. May our interactions be sweet. May your presence be felt in our midst.

In your Word, you have promised that " the blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it " (Proverbs 10:22). We ask that you bless each person present with your grace, wisdom, and favor.

Thank you for being a God who is always generous and loving. Thank you for blessing us in ways we cannot even imagine.

Prayer For Clarity

We acknowledge that we do not always have clarity regarding what we should do or where we should go. We need your guidance and wisdom to help us make the right decisions in this meeting.

As we discuss various topics and ideas, we pray that you will give us clarity of thought and understanding. Give us discernment to distinguish between good and bad, truth and falsehood.

In Psalm 32:8, you promise to " instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you ". We trust that your guidance will lead us to the best decisions.

We also pray for open hearts and minds to receive your wisdom. May we be willing to listen and consider different perspectives and ideas.

Thank you for being a God who is always faithful to guide us. May your will be done in this meeting.

Starting Prayer For Productivity

We begin this meeting by acknowledging that all productivity and success come from you. You are the provider of our abilities and opportunities. We cannot do anything without your help.

In John 15:5, Jesus tells us, " I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing ". We recognize our dependence on you and ask for your help in making this meeting productive.

We pray for clear minds, efficient communication, and effective problem-solving.

We ask for your presence in this meeting as we strive to be productive and efficient in our discussions. Help us to stay focused and on task. Give us creative ideas and solutions that will bring about positive results.

In the name of Jesus,

Prayer For Creativity

You are the God of all creativity. You created the world out of nothing. You spoke everything into existence. All of us are the result of your incredible creativity.

We ask for that same creativity to flow through us. As we discuss and brainstorm ideas, may your Holy Spirit inspire us with fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. Help us to think outside the box and see things in new ways.

In the Bible you say, " For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). We believe that you have equipped us with unique gifts and talents for this meeting. May we use them to bring about your will and accomplish our goals.

We pray that you give us the courage to step out of our comfort zones and try new things. May your creativity ignite a fire within us to pursue excellence and make a positive impact.

In Jesus' holy name,

Opening Prayer For Renewal

Dear Father,

With humble hearts we begin this meeting, acknowledging our need for you. Particularly, we acknowledge our need for renewal. Please renew our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

We confess that we can become stagnant and comfortable in our ways. We ask for your Holy Spirit to challenge us, convict us, and guide us toward growth and transformation.

As we discuss important matters today, may we seek your will above all else. Help us to align our thoughts and actions with your perfect plan for our lives.

In the Bible you say, " Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). We pray for this renewal not just in our personal lives, but also in our work and relationships.

We trust that you are faithful to complete the good work you have begun in us. May we surrender ourselves fully to your will and eagerly embrace the changes and challenges that come with renewal.

In Jesus' mighty name,

A Prayer Of Anticipation

We come to you at the beginning of this meeting with eager anticipation of all that you are going to do. We know that you are a God of great power and might, capable of accomplishing far more than we could ever ask or imagine.

In Ephesians 3:20, you promise to " do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to your power that is at work within us." We hold onto this promise as we embark on the journey ahead.

We pray for open hearts and minds to receive your plans and purposes. May we be sensitive to your leading and obedient to your will.

We pray that you would open our eyes to see your hand at work in every aspect of this meeting. May your Spirit guide us in making wise decisions and lead us toward the best outcomes.

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Stephen Altrogge lives in Tallahassee, Florida. He is a dad to three wonderful girls and has written for publications like The Gospel Coalition, Church Leaders, Crosswalk, and many more. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him reading or watching The Lord Of the Rings for the 10th time .

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UK politics live: Priti Patel says four-day week would have ‘devastating impact’ as smoking ban faces backlash

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Dame Priti Patel has warned Labour ’s four-day week plan would be “devastating” for businesses as she launched her Conservative leadership campaign in London.

The former home secretary criticised Sir Keir Starmer ’s speech in the Downing Street Rose Garden on Tuesday this week as “one of the most feeble, pitiful and dishonest speeches you will ever hear”.

She also accused Sir Keir of launching a “nasty financial assault” on pensioners with the decision to cut winter fuel payments.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer faced backlash for moving a £100,000 portrait of Margaret Thatcher in No 10 Downing Street because he found it “unsettling”.

The portrait controvercy has drawn sharp criticism from Conservative MPs , who branded his decision as “petty” and a “vindictive” act.

The prime minister hinted at a potential smoking ban in outdoor spaces like pub gardens.

Speaking in Paris, he confirmed changes to smoking laws are under consideration, with details to be revealed soon. But the move has sparked concern among hospitality groups over potential negative impacts on the sector.

The potential new Tobacco and Vapes Bill also caused cabinet tensions with Business Department officials warning that the move could create financial challenges for the industry.

Watch: Angela Rayner dances behind DJ booth inside Ibiza nightclub

Angela Rayner was filmed dancing behind DJ decks at an Ibiza nightclub with Fisher and Denise Van Outen. Footage posted to the TV presenter's Instagram page showed what she described as a "surprise DJ booth rave up" with the deputy prime minister. Rayner wore a red dress as she partied with the Australian music producer, singing along to a dance remix of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know." She was filmed jumping and dancing as smoke cannons erupted at the venue.

Minister pledges portraits of Thatcher will remain in No 10

Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith has pledged that portraits of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher will remain in No 10, amid reports Sir Keir Starmer had one moved after finding it “unsettling”.

Asked if she was ever unsettled by the portrait of the UK’s first female PM, Lady Smith told LBC: “There were several times I was unsettled in No 10 but it wasn’t usually by the portraits, I have to say.

“Keir Starmer, can’t win, can he? A few months ago, people were having a go at him because he said he thought he could learn from the leadership of Margaret Thatcher.

“Pictures of Margaret Thatcher will remain in No 10.

“You can take that as a Jacqui pledge, but I think probably Keir Starmer is more concerned about actually sort of cracking on with the job of getting the country to work properly than where the pictures are.”

Ireland seeking legal advice over trade with Israel

Ireland’s premier is seeking legal advice over trade with Israel.

While noting that international trade policy is an EU competency, Simon Harris said he was writing to Irish Attorney General Rossa Fanning for “fresh legal advice” on the domestic possibilities.

Mr Harris said that “every lever” must be pulled to maximise pressure on the Israeli government to bring forward a cessation of violence in Gaza.

The leaders of Ireland’s three coalition parties decided on Thursday that the State would not procure any further defence or military equipment and contracts from Israel.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Harris said the action was “appropriate” and in line with rulings of the International Court of Justice.

In July, the UN’s top court declared Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories unlawful and called for settlement construction to stop immediately.

Mr Harris said: “I think it’s really important when an international court makes substantive findings, that those findings are given effect in every way.”

Smokers ‘heroes of the nation’, says Nigel Farage as he lights up cigarette near Downing Street pub

Smokers ‘heroes of the nation’, says Nigel Farage as he lights up cigarette near pub

Nigel Farage has branded smokers the “heroes of the nation in terms of the amount of taxation they pay”, in response to a potential cigarettes ban outside pubs. The Reform UK leader lit up a cigarette outside the Westminster Arms shortly before 6pm on Thursday (29 August), less than 400m from the Prime Minister’s official residence in Downing Street. Sir Keir Starmer earlier told reporters the loss of lives because of smoking are “preventable” and that his ministers would “take decisions” on an outdoor cigarettes ban. According to leaked Whitehall papers, ministers could extend the indoor smoking ban to beer gardens, university and hospital campuses, sports grounds, children’s play areas and small parks.

Priti Patel says she would get Tories back to government as party leader

Priti Patel has said she will get the Conservatives back to winning if she becomes party leader.

The Witham MP and former home secretary touted her experience in Cabinet and her work on immigration and policing while presenting herself as a “grassroots Conservative” as she launched her campaign in London.

She said she would get the party back to its “winning ways”.

Asked whether she believed the Conservatives could win the next general election, she said: “You bet we can.”

She said in a speech: “We are a patriotic party, a national party who believes in the union and the matters which concern hard-working people every single day.

“And I will lead us from opposition to government, so that we can serve the British people again and give them back the freedoms and the dignity that Labour will take away from them.”

She called Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s No 10 speech earlier this week “one of the most feeble, pitiful and dishonest speeches you will ever hear”.

Farage and Tories slam Starmer’s proposal for outdoor smoking ban

Sir Keir Starmer’s potential move to ban smoking in outdoor areas like pub gardens has sparked sharp criticism from Nigel Farage and the Conservatives.

The Reform UK leader claimed the proposal could “close the last of the British pubs” and push cigarette sales into the black market, framing it as an issue of “social control” rather than public health.

The opposition within the Tories has also echoed Mr Farage’s concerns.

Robert Jenrick questioned the prime minister’s priorities, claiming that the UK faces “huge challenges” and that focusing on an outdoor smoking ban is “nonsense”.

This debate emerges against the backdrop of the Conservatives’ own proposal to create one of the world’s strictest smoking laws, which would prevent anyone who is 14 years old from ever legally purchasing cigarettes.

Border Force staff at Heathrow to launch strike in rosters dispute

Border Force staff at Heathrow Airport will launch a four-day strike on Saturday in a long-running dispute over rosters.

Around 650 members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) will walk out amid complaints that new rosters are inflexible.

The staff will then work to rule and refuse to work overtime from September 4 to 22.

The union said its research showed that four in five Heathrow Border Force workers suffer from stress at work.

More than one in four have taken time off due to stress or related mental health reasons since the introduction of the new rosters in April, said the union.

Most staff regularly worry about managing home commitments around work, according to the PCS.

Watch: Starmer spending more time removing portraits of ‘strong female leaders’ than governing, says Priti Patel

Keir Starmer spending more time removing portraits than governing, says Priti Patel

Sir Keir Starmer has been spending more time removing portraits of "great strong conservative female leaders" rather than governing, Priti Patel said during the official launch of her Tory leadership bid on Friday, 30 August. The former home secretary's remark came after the prime minister moved a £100,000 portrait of Margaret Thatcher in 10 Downing Street because he found it “unsettling”. Conservative MPs have described the decision as “petty” and a “vindictive” act. "If he wants a picture to replace Margaret Thatcher, he can always have this one," Patel added.

Scots must take independence decision out of Westminster’s hands, says Brown

The people of Scotland must take the decision over independence out of the hands of Westminster, the SNP’s depute leader has said.

Addressing the first day of the party’s conference in Edinburgh, Keith Brown said the “sovereign people of Scotland” were “supreme over the UK Supreme Court”.

Under Nicola Sturgeon, the court rejected a push for the Scottish Parliament to legislate for an independence referendum.

Support for the SNP at the next election, Mr Brown said, would also be support for a “convention of all democratically-elected representatives … who support Scotland’s right to choose”.

Such a convention could see the SNP working alongside former leader Alex Salmond and the Alba Party should they win seats.

In his address to members, Mr Brown said the ability to demonstrate how Scotland can achieve independence will be “central” to the SNP’s success in 2026.

“We have to first of all acknowledge Westminster’s stance – they’ve been clear,” he said.

Eton College tells parents fees likely to rise by 20% over Labour’s VAT plan

Eton College will raise fees by 20 per cent as a result of the Government’s removal of the VAT exemption on independent schools, it said in a letter to parents.

The £52,749-a-year private boys’ school said fees will “likely” increase in January, meaning most parents will have to pay about £63,000.

Parents whose sons are in receipt of 100 per cent bursaries will not be affected by the increase, the college said.

From January, the government plans to remove the VAT exemption and business rates relief for private schools to enable funding for 6,500 new teachers in state schools.

Currently, independent schools do not have to charge 20 per cent VAT on their fees because there is an exemption for the supply of education.

In a letter to parents on Friday, the Berkshire boarding school said: “The Provost and Fellows regret that the government has chosen to tax education in this way.

“Furthermore, we are disappointed that the introduction of VAT will take place partway through an academic year and at short notice.

“We recognise the concern that will be felt by many parents following this announcement.”

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• Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-rfk-jr-holds-briefing-on-his-presidential-campaign-after-withdrawal-from-arizona-ballot

WATCH: RFK Jr. says he’s suspending his presidential bid and backing Donald Trump

PHOENIX (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy said Friday he is suspending his independent presidential bid and is backing Donald Trump.

Watch Kennedy’s remarks in the player above.

Kennedy said his internal polls had showed that his presence in the race would hurt Trump and help Democratic nominee Kamala Harris . He cited free speech, the war in Ukraine and “a war on our children” as among the reasons to try to remove his name from the ballot in battleground states.

“These are the principal causes that persuaded me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent and now to throw my support to President Trump,” Kennedy said.

WATCH: 3 things to know about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to suspend his campaign

However, he made clear that he wasn’t formally ending his bid and said his supporters could continue to back him in the majority of states where they are unlikely to sway the outcome. Kennedy took steps to withdraw his candidacy in at least two states late this week, Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Kennedy said the move followed conversations with Trump over the past few weeks.

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Before the speech, his campaign had said in a Pennsylvania court filing Friday that he would be endorsing Trump for president. A spokesperson for Kennedy said the court filing had been made in error and would be updated, though Kennedy himself reiterated his support for Trump shortly afterward.

Kennedy had a speech planned in Arizona on Friday to discuss “the present historical moment and his path forward,” according to his campaign. Hours later, Trump will hold a rally in neighboring Glendale. Trump’s campaign has teased that he will be joined by “a special guest,” though neither campaign responded to messages about whether Kennedy would be that guest.

A late-stage endorsement in the presidential race could give the former president a modest boost from Kennedy’s supporters.

A year ago, some would have thought it inconceivable that a member of arguably the most storied family in Democratic politics would work with Trump to keep a Democrat — Vice President Kamala Harris — out of the White House. Even in recent months, Kennedy has accused Trump of betraying his followers, while Trump has criticized Kennedy as “the most radical left candidate in the race.”

The Pennsylvania filing came Friday in a case in which Kennedy was defending his paperwork to get on the ballot in the battleground state against a challenge by two Democratic activists.

The filing said that, “as a result of today’s endorsement of Donald Trump” he was requesting the dismissal of his campaign’s nomination papers so that he would not appear on Pennsylvania’s ballot.

Kennedy already has secured ballot access in several states, including battlegrounds like Michigan and Nevada. Some secretaries of state said it’s too late for him to remove himself even if he wants to do so.

Cheri Hardmon, a spokesperson for Michigan’s Department of State, said its law requires presidential electors be selected at the fall state convention, and that already happened, which means his name will remain on the state’s ballot.

And in Wisconsin, where Kennedy has filed for ballot access and is awaiting approval, there is “no mechanism for him to ‘take back’ the filing,” according to Wisconsin Elections Commission spokesperson Joel DeSpain.

The Kennedy and Trump campaigns have ramped up their compliments to each other and engaged in behind-the-scenes discussions in recent weeks, according to those familiar with the efforts. Both campaigns have spent months accusing Democrats of weaponizing the legal system for their own benefit. And both have hinted publicly that they could be open to joining forces, with the shared goal of limiting Harris’ chances.

Last month, during the Republican National Convention, Kennedy’s son posted and then quickly deleted a video showing a phone call between Kennedy and Trump, in which the former president appeared to try to talk Kennedy into siding with him.

Talks between the two camps continued, with close Trump allies quietly lobbying Kennedy to drop out of the race and support the Republican nominee, according to a person familiar with the efforts who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

Trump told CNN on Tuesday that he would “love” an endorsement from Kennedy, whom he called a “brilliant guy.” He also said he would “certainly” be open to Kennedy playing a role in his administration if Kennedy drops out and endorses him.

Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, also openly suggested on a podcast this week that his campaign might “walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump.” While she clarified that she is not personally in talks with Trump, she entertained the idea that Kennedy could join Trump’s administration as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“I think that Bobby in a role like that would be excellent,” Shanahan said. “I fully support it. I have high hopes.”

Earlier Friday, Shanahan posted on X that she isn’t a Kamala Democrat or a Trump Republican.

“I’m an INDEPENDENT American who is endorsing ideas, not a person or a party,” she wrote. “I will continue working to give a voice to the voiceless and bring power back to the people.”

Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York, Michelle L. Price in Phoenix, Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pa., Meg Kinnard in Chicago and Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report.

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