Depending on the event logistics, consider mixing with the audience beforehand and meet and greet as many people as possible. This is a great way to start building rapport so you're not a stranger when you start the event, plus the group isn't full of strangers to you. If you're one of those people that subconsciously feels that the group is full of judging, bored or mean people, meeting them first and reassuring yourself that they are kind people who are on your side can really help.
This is a useful template for opening an event or workshop
Ensure participants understand:
It’s easy to forget that what is obvious to you is brand new to them, so adopt a beginners mindset and make sure all your explanations can be easily grasped by participants from at all levels.
Ensure particpants feel
Closing activities
Ideas Generated by Brainstorming Groups
Ideas generated by the same number of people who work alone and later pool their ideas
Decades of research has consistently shown that brainstorming groups think of far fewer ideas than the same number of people who work alone and later pool their ideas