Corporate events are always looking for new ways to add the wow factor to events. Arguably, the most effective means by which to do this is by hiring outstanding entertainment.
The right entertainment can draw in the audience and create a customized experience for them, resulting in your guests feeling they were part of the event rather than simply on-lookers.
It’s easy to get carried away with all the options you’ll find before you. As exciting as it is, the correct course of action is not to hire the first person or act that comes to mind. There are many variables to consider before narrowing down your options and below I’ll discuss the steps to take to ensure you hit the mark.
Preliminary Considerations:
1. Is It A Budget-Breaker? We all want to hire that big-name musician/comedian/speaker but there is much to consider when hiring entertainment for your event. As with all other areas of event production, it starts with the budget. While going with the most inexpensive option can often lead to disappointment because of the value you get in return, contracting a big name celebrity may not be in the cards. In addition to the entertainer’s fees (performance, travel, and accommodation), you will also want to factor in any fees resulting from third-party booking services you use to assist you.
2. Know the Goal – What is the purpose of your event and what are you trying to achieve by having it? For example, client appreciation, team building, and executive retreats all have different objectives in mind, therefore, your entertainment options likely won’t be the same. The best choice for entertainment is the one that will drive that message home for you. Ask how you want the attendees to feel at the end of the event and gear your choice of entertainment to that end.
3. Demographics – Once you know the purpose driving the event, have a look at who will be attending from all angles. While your entertainment choices will be driven by your goal, there’s another factor that must be taken into consideration and can be disastrous if overlooked: the audience. In the quest to get the biggest name or the trendiest choice with the most cachet, we can’t forget that it isn’t just a name or an act that can make or break the event – it’s your audience’s reaction to it. Is it a crowd filled with professionals or laborers and tradespeople? Tech crowd or creative types? Millennials or baby-boomers? Are families attending? All of these factors have a direct bearing on whom you hire and the inevitable success or failure of your event.
4. Make A Wishlist – Once you have the objectives and the demographics sorted out, make a list of entertainers whose services you’d like to contract who are appropriate for your audience. From there, the time-consuming work of sifting through who makes your shortlist can begin. Some factors to consider in this process are performance fees, talent availability, size of venue and stage and possible travel and accommodation fees. Because time is money, consider enlisting the services of an agent to help you in this area. The agent is well-versed in a variety of entertainment options spanning the spectrum from celebrity entertainment who are household names to those who are undiscovered gems. Taking into account your budget, objectives, and demographics they will find the best options for you so you can focus on the remaining details of the event.
Now that you have the basics well in hand, you’ll want to make choices that hit the right chord with your audience.
The best choice for entertainment is the one that will drive that message home for you. Click To TweetBelow is a brief overview of the different categories of entertainment available to you.
Music: Depending on your event, this could be a band providing background music, a big stage show or an act that creates a party atmosphere where dancing is the goal. Always an impressive choice, this makes guests feel like they are experiencing something special because of the nature of the smaller venues utilized for corporate events. A private concert in the smaller venue creates a sense of intimacy between the performer and the audience.
Comedy: Everybody loves to laugh. However, what people finds funny is subjective. Use special care when hiring a comedian for your event. A comedian, especially a well-known one, can produce the same effect as a high-profile musical act. However, while the costs will typically be lower than a musical act, it is especially important to pay attention to your audience here. You do not want to bring on a cutting-edge comedian who’s revered among the millennial crowd to a corporate event chock-full of older business executives. The comedian’s humor will fall flat, potentially offend and possibly ruin your event. It goes without saying that you should stay away from comics whose material focuses on politics, religion or relies on the use of profanity. The goal is to choose someone who isn’t antagonistic and brings the audience together rather than create divisiveness.
Celebrity Speaker: What is the purpose of hiring this speaker? Again, it starts with knowing your goal for the event. Hiring the correct speaker can emphasize your event’s message. Is it the goal of your guest speaker to inspire, motivate or educate the audience? Or are they there simply for entertainment and to add the prestige factor to your event? Whatever the purpose, review their past performances to see that they have experience in producing the outcome you’re seeking. Just because someone is captivating in their specific professional performances doesn’t mean this will always translate to a stage where they have to hold the audience’s attention for an extended period of time.
Novelty Options: There are always new and emerging entertainment options coming down the pike to captivate audiences. These entertainers add flair and fun to any event in which they are incorporated. A few examples of options available to you here are aerial performers, theme bands, dancers, illusionists, and pyrotechnics. The list is extensive and always guaranteed to wow your guests.
A few final points to leave you with:
Book early to avoid disappointment. The most in-demand entertainers book many months in advance.
Another way to avoid disappointment on event day is to ensure you get up-to-date references or performance video that you personally review prior to signing any contracts. This is especially important when signing acts whose heyday was a decade or two ago.
Finding the best entertainment fit for your corporate event is not complicated. It simply requires careful consideration, due diligence, and early planning.