Within seconds of taking the stage, Andrew Phung proved why he is one of Canada’s most in-demand comedic talents. As the host of Showcase 2026, his infectious energy and improv prowess were on full display — instantly elevating the room and setting the tone for an unforgettable morning.
Showcase 2026 is Speakers Spotlight’s annual client-exclusive, TED-style event that features four outstanding speakers exploring some of today’s most in-demand topics. As host, Andrew kept the crowd warm while introducing each speaker to the stage, and he made every moment between presentations just as memorable.
Andrew Phung is the dream emcee. He really was the glue that held together the lineup of incredible speakers and kept the audience super engaged.
Showcase 2026 attendee
A Masterclass in Hosting
Andrew is best known as the star of CBC’s hit shows Kim’s Convenience and Run the Burbs, but his comedic roots are in improv. He put them to work right away, diving straight into crowd work and pulling the audience in from the get-go. He wanted to know who was in the room — names, where people had traveled from, whether they’d worked with Speakers Spotlight before, etc. When someone mentioned they’d made the drive from Pickering, he commiserated with them about the 401 commute on an early Toronto morning. The room was his within minutes.
Then he took it up a notch. Andrew introduced himself as the official VIP concierge for the morning — putting his personal cell phone number on display and encouraging attendees to text him with their every wish and desire. Gum? He had it. A charging cable? USB-C and Lightning, naturally. Snacks, a mimosa, a wingman for a double date — whatever the room needed, he was on it. And he meant it. Throughout the morning he fielded texts and actually delivered, even going so far as securing a forgotten pair of glasses from the coatroom. He kept the bit alive throughout the entire event.
Plus, following each speakers’ presentations, Andrew would keep the speakers on stage to field audience questions and riff alongside them with ease. In one standout moment, he and speaker Anthony McLean spontaneously pitched a 90s-style sitcom in which they play unlikely brothers to the absolute delight of the room.
A Fan Favourite with Serious Credentials
It’s no wonder audiences love Andrew. He starred in Kim’s Convenience for its full five-season run, winning five consecutive Canadian Screen Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He then co-created, executive produced, and starred in Run the Burbs — a hit CBC and Hulu series inspired by his own upbringing in northeast Calgary — earning a Canadian Screen Award for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy. He currently hosts Big Burger Battle on the Flavour Network and Food Network USA and can also be seen in the upcoming Paramount+ comedy Hate the Player.
Off screen, Andrew has become one of Canada’s most sought-after emcees, having hosted the CBC New Year’s Eve Telecast, the Junos, the Canadian Screen Awards, and major corporate events for TD and RE/MAX, among others. We were lucky to have him at Showcase 2026!
Book Andrew Phung to Host Your Next Event
Andrew Phung brings something rare to every stage he steps onto: the genuine feeling that the audience is the star of the show. His warmth, spontaneity, and comedic instincts make him a natural fit for conferences, award galas, and large-scale corporate events of any kind.
Contact us to learn more about Andrew and how to bring him to your next event.
