First, you must be brief, and avoid all stale and stilted phrases such as:  “It is indeed an honor … a man who needs no introduction … we are gathered here tonight.”

You must not embarrass the speaker with over-florid predictions of the treat that awaits the audience.  Nor should you exaggerate your speaker’s qualifications.

You must avoid giving your speaker false starts.  E.g. “… and so I take great pleasure in introducing Paul Prolichs … [Mr. Prolichs rises] … a man who is supremely qualified …” [Mr. Prolichs drops back into his chair.]

Finally, you must not try to steal the spotlight, or strive to give the audience a sample of what it is missing because the program committee did not have the good judgment to schedule you for the main speech.

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