People who stand at a podium facing familiar faces from years past feel a mix of emotions. Each speaker carries the task of setting the right tone for a reunion gathering. Starting with the right opening words can make the difference between a warm, engaging start and an awkward silence.
Your introduction speech should strike a nice balance between nostalgia and present-day connections, whether you’re organizing a high school reunion, family gathering, or corporate alumni meet-up. These sample speeches will guide your preparation to welcome everyone to this special occasion.
Reunion Introduction Speech Samples
Use these carefully written speeches to help you start your reunion with confidence and style.
Speech 1 – The Short and Sweet Welcome
Good evening, dear friends and classmates of Marshall High’s Class of ’98. Looking around this room brings back countless memories of walking these same halls, sharing laughs in the cafeteria, and supporting each other through those teenage years. Here we are 25 years later, many of us with our own teenagers now.
Tonight gives us a great chance to reconnect, share stories about where life has taken us, and maybe even bring back some of those old inside jokes that made our high school years unforgettable. Thank you all for making time in your busy lives to be here. Let’s make this evening count as we celebrate our shared past and the amazing individuals we’ve become.
— END OF SPEECH —
Commentary: A heartfelt welcome that focuses on shared memories and acknowledges personal growth. Perfect for high school reunions where maintaining an informal, friendly tone helps break the ice.
Speech 2 – The Family Gathering Welcome
My beloved Rodriguez family members, what a sight to see all of you here today at Golden Oaks Park. From little Emma, our newest family member at just three months old, to Grandma Rosa who turns 85 next month, we have four generations gathered in one place.
Some of you traveled across state lines, others from different countries, and a few just walked down the street to be here. But distance has never defined our family’s bonds. Through video calls, group chats, and social media, we’ve stayed connected. Still, nothing compares to being together like this.
This afternoon, we’ll share meals prepared from recipes passed down through generations. We’ll catch up on each other’s lives, swap stories, and create new memories. We might even convince Uncle Mike to tell us that fishing story one more time – you know, the one about the fish that keeps getting bigger each year!
So put away your phones, grab a plate, and let’s enjoy this precious time together. Family matters most, and here we are.
— END OF SPEECH —
Commentary: A warm, lighthearted welcome that emphasizes family ties and traditions while incorporating humor. Ideal for large family reunions where multiple generations are present.
Speech 3 – The Corporate Alumni Gathering
Welcome back to the halls of TechStart Solutions, everyone. Ten years ago, we started as twenty people working from a cramped office space with big dreams. Now, as we gather in this magnificent venue, those dreams have turned real, thanks to each person here.
Many of you lead your own ventures or work in exciting roles elsewhere. Others stayed and helped build TechStart into the company you see now. But no matter where your path led you, you’ll always belong to the TechStart family.
Seeing our shared accomplishments fills me with pride. We tackled challenges together, celebrated victories big and small, and supported each other through every milestone. Tonight brings us together not as former colleagues but as friends who shared an amazing journey.
Let’s spend this evening catching up, sharing stories, and maybe finding new ways to work together again. The connections we built during our time here stay strong, and this gathering might spark fresh opportunities.
— END OF SPEECH —
Commentary: A professional yet personal welcome that balances corporate achievement with individual recognition. Well-suited for startup or small company alumni gatherings where maintaining professional networking matters as much as rekindling friendships.
Speech 4 – The Military Unit Reunion
Brothers and sisters in arms, seeing you all here brings back memories of our time serving in the 75th Rangers. We stood together through the hardest challenges life threw at us, and that bond stays unbreakable.
Each of you holds a special place in this unit’s history. Together, we learned what loyalty, sacrifice, and brotherhood truly mean. Though we lead different lives as civilians now, the values and lessons we shared still shape who we are.
Seeing your familiar faces fills me with the same pride and trust from our service years. Let’s use this time to honor our shared experiences, think of those who couldn’t join us today, and celebrate the lasting friendships that grew from our service together.
— END OF SPEECH —
Commentary: A dignified and emotional tribute that acknowledges shared sacrifices while celebrating continued bonds. Particularly appropriate for military unit reunions where emphasizing brotherhood and shared values speaks to everyone.
Speech 5 – The Class Anniversary Special
Dear Class of 1973, who could have guessed that 50 years after graduating from St. Mary’s Academy, we’d gather here with the same excitement and spirit that filled these halls during our school days?
Looking into your eyes and seeing those familiar smiles brings back memories of chemistry experiments gone wrong, basketball championship victories, and sneaking extra desserts from the cafeteria. Mrs. Thompson would smile seeing how her “troublemakers” turned out.
Some became doctors, teachers, and business leaders. Others raised families and built communities. Each person carried forward the values and education from this place. Tonight lets us share our stories, catch up on five decades of life, and maybe clear up some old questions about who really started that famous food fight in senior year.
Let’s celebrate who we were then and who we’ve become. The Class of ’73 still knows how to make memories worth keeping.
— END OF SPEECH —
Commentary: A nostalgic yet humorous address that perfectly balances past memories with present accomplishments. Especially fitting for milestone anniversary reunions where celebrating shared history while acknowledging life achievements matters most.
Speech 6 – The College Sports Team Reunion
Welcome back, mighty Tigers of the ’89 championship team! Being on this field feels different from those sweaty practice sessions and nerve-wracking game days, right?
Our trophy sits in a display case, but the spirit of that incredible season stays alive in each of us. Coach Miller taught us more than plays and strategies. He showed how dedication, teamwork, and determination could turn a group of individual players into an unbeatable force.
Some faces couldn’t make it today. Life pulls us in different directions, but the bonds we built during that magical season stay strong. Those early morning practices, the last-minute victories, the celebrations, and yes, the defeats shaped us into who we are today.
Let’s share stories about where life has taken us, think about the lessons from this field, and celebrate the friendships that started with a shared dream of victory.
— END OF SPEECH —
Commentary: An energetic welcome that combines sports glory with life lessons learned. Perfect for sports team reunions where rekindling team spirit while acknowledging personal growth creates the right atmosphere.
Final Thoughts on Writing Reunion Speeches
These speech examples can help you create your own reunion welcome address. The most engaging speeches come straight from the heart and speak directly to the shared experiences of your specific group. Make your message genuine, add personal touches that your audience will appreciate, and bring people together to celebrate their connections, old and new.