Event Hosting · MC · Moderation

Even the Best Tech Events Need a Human

Play By Ear provides MCing, hosting, and moderation for AI hackathons, demo days, conference panels, and live tech programming worldwide. We are built for high-energy, multi-hour formats that require both technical fluency and the presence to hold an audience throughout.

Marlene Ronstedt hosting a technology event
Play By Ear is the studio. Marlene is the person on the mic.

Formats

From Hackathons to Conference Stages

Some events need more than a speaker intro. They need someone who can read the room, connect the dots, keep the timing sane, and make the whole program feel intentional.

Hackathons

Hackathons are long, technical, and full of moving parts. We host the full run of show, with attention to the transitions and quieter stretches where audience energy needs the most support.

Demo Days

Demo days are won and lost on pacing. Our role is to set up each presenter cleanly, hold the program across consecutive demos, and manage the framing around founder pitches, sponsor moments, and judging.

Conference Panels

Strong panel moderation depends on real preparation and active listening. We come in researched, ready to follow threads, redirect when needed, and surface the substance of the conversation in real time.

Startup & Community Events

Smaller events depend more on tone than program. We work with VC offices, founder communities, and product teams to host gatherings calibrated to the audience and the occasion.

Need a Host for
Your Event?

Tell me what you're planning, who will be in the room, and what kind of energy the event needs.