Picture this: you’re at a corporate event, and the excitement in the air is palpable. The lights dim, and suddenly, the stage comes to life with a dazzling display of music, dance, and energy. The performers captivate the audience, leaving them excited for what’s to come. This is the power of entertainment in corporate events – transforming a mundane gathering into an unforgettable experience with live entertainment that leaves a lasting impression on attendees.
Today, companies are constantly seeking ways to stand out and create meaningful connections with their employees, clients, and partners through diverse entertainment options. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by incorporating high-quality entertainment into corporate events. From live music performances to interactive experiences, the right entertainment can elevate your event and impact your audience.
Why Entertainment Matters when it comes to Corporate Entertainment
When it comes to planning a successful corporate event, entertainment is often overlooked or considered an afterthought. However, the truth is that entertainment plays a vital role in creating a memorable and impactful experience for attendees.
Here’s why:
1. Entertainment Acts Create a Multi-Sensory, Immersive Experience
“Entertainment is an easy way to add a multi-sensory experience for the client, which just creates a better, memorable guest experience,” says Jamie Snively from Innovative Entertainment. By engaging multiple senses through music, visuals, and interactive elements, entertainment helps to create an immersive atmosphere that transports attendees beyond the typical corporate setting.
2. Entertainers Provide a Unique, Personalized Experience
Nicole Bernardi, from Innovative Entertainment, emphasizes the importance of providing a unique experience: “We’re giving them an experience that’s so unique and personable versus buying a ticket to a concert where it’s a hundred thousand people. This is curated for their particular experience, whatever it might be.”
By tailoring the entertainment to the specific needs and preferences of the audience, event organizers, often through an entertainment booking agency, can create a personalized experience that resonates with attendees on a deeper level.
3. When you Book the Perfect Act, it can be a Draw and Incentive for Attendees
Entertainment can be a powerful tool for boosting attendance and generating excitement around your event. “It might be a draw, … we have this band playing, or we have this act playing, or this person speaking. So that’s a draw to attend that conference, maybe versus a competitor’s conference,” explains Nicole.
4. Elevating your Entertainer Serves as a Reward and Recognition for Top Performers
For companies looking to recognize and reward their top performers, entertainment can be a vital component of the experience. “It’s rewarding. So, for your top salespeople specifically, because they’ve sold… a lot for the company… and it’s a way to give them a thank you and a reward to continue selling that way so that they sell or earn more next year to come back to the event again,” says Nicole.
5. Great Talent Booking Generates Buzz and FOMO for Future Events
Unforgettable entertainment experiences create a buzz that extends far beyond the event itself. “And then they go home and tell all their employees and the people under them or those who didn’t go on the trip. Oh my gosh, we had X, Y, and Z actor speak. We had the best time dancing to this band, you don’t want to miss this trip next year, shares Nicole.
By generating FOMO (fear of missing out), exceptional entertainment experiences can drive interest and anticipation for future events, ensuring high attendance and engagement.
Setting Clear Goals and Objectives for Event Entertainment
Setting clear goals and objectives from the outset is essential to ensuring that your corporate event entertainment, managed by a corporate entertainment agency, aligns with your overall vision and leaves a lasting impact.
This involves considering various factors such as:
- Audience demographics, preferences, and cultural backgrounds
- Event purpose and desired outcomes must be clearly defined to guide the entertainment booking and ensure alignment with the overall objectives.
- Entertainment style and format that complements the event agenda and atmosphere
Failing to define these goals clearly can result in mismatched entertainment that falls flat or even offends attendees. Jamie Snively shares an example of a client who consistently chose entertainment based on personal preferences rather than considering the audience: “I had a client that would always pick his favorite thing, and he was very much into hip hop but his group was from the southern US, who were not into that type of music and preferred classic rock or country. What we dont want in situations like this, is people leaving [during the event]. So in cases like this, we continue to encourage our clients to look at their audience, not at what one person thinks would be really cool.”
By taking the time to understand your audience and align your entertainment with their preferences and the overall event objectives, you can create a cohesive and impactful experience that resonates with attendees.
Factors to Consider When Selecting the Right Talent (Bands, Magicians, Comedians, Speakers)
Once you’ve established your goals and objectives, it’s time for the talent selection process.
There are several key factors to consider when choosing the right entertainment for your corporate event, including:
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Budget parameters and hidden costs
- Talent fees must be carefully managed by the entertainment booking agency to align with the event’s budget.
- Travel costs (airfare, ground transportation, accommodations) are often handled by the entertainment booking agency to ensure smooth logistics for the performers.
- Technical requirements (sound, lighting, staging)
- Insurance
- Visa and tax costs for international events
As Nicole Bernardi points out, “In addition to the talent fee, there’s travel costs, technical costs, green room and catering costs. […] And then there’s venue-related costs that they might add on for certain talent needs, from power to rigging to union labor.”. Check out our blog on entertainment budget tips here.
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Venue and stage specifications, limitations, and technical requirements
- Stage dimensions and weight capacity
- Ceiling height and rigging points for aerial performances
- Power and sound system capabilities
“Depending on the size of the audience, the venue, and what the venue can hold, not all bands can scale down technically or scale down their stage size. In some venues, you can’t host a big act, and you might be able to do a solo acoustic or duo performer,” explains Nicole.
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Artist’s experience and track record performing for corporate events
- Ability to engage and captivate a diverse audience
- Professionalism and reliability
- Flexibility to adapt to the event’s unique needs
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Flexibility and adaptability of the performer to the event’s needs and audience
- Willingness to customize their performance is a trait highly valued in live entertainment.
- Ability to read and adjust to the crowd’s energy and response is a key skill for live entertainment, ensuring a dynamic and engaging performance.
- Openness to incorporating the event’s theme or messaging into their act
The Benefits of Partnering with an Entertainment Expert for Booking Services
Navigating the world of corporate event entertainment can be overwhelming, especially when trying to balance the many factors involved in selecting the right talent. This is where partnering with an entertainment expert like Innovative Entertainment can make all the difference.
Here’s how:
- Access to an extensive network of agents, managers, and talent
- Knowledge of industry trends, rising stars, and innovative entertainment ideas
- Ability to negotiate contracts, riders, and handle complex logistics
- Expertise in curating the right entertainment for each unique event and audience
“Whether it’s us or somebody else, I advise corporations to use an entertainment producer,” shares Nicole. “Because we know all these little nuances. Sometimes a corporation might think, ‘If I can go direct, I can get it cheaper.’ But then they get a contract that they don’t understand that’s, you know, 40 pages long.”
By leveraging an entertainment partner’s expertise and relationships, event organizers can save time, reduce stress, and ensure that their entertainment selection aligns perfectly with their goals and objectives.
Choosing Great Corporate Event Talent
Choosing the right entertainment for your corporate event is not a decision to be taken lightly. By setting clear goals, considering key factors, and partnering with industry experts, you can create an unforgettable experience that engages, inspires, and motivates your audience. Remember, the power of entertainment lies in its ability to forge connections, spark conversations, and leave a lasting impression that extends far beyond the event itself.
As you embark on your next corporate event planning journey, keep these insights in mind and don’t hesitate to collaborate with a trusted entertainment partner like Innovative Entertainment. Together, you can unlock the full potential of entertainment and create an event that truly shines.
