Finding entertainment for a corporate convention, party or conference can seem like a daunting task. There are literally thousands of great, good and horrible corporate artists available. This list will give you some tips on how to narrow down your search and find entertainment that will help make your event a success!
#10 – PLAN EARLY. The most popular corporate artists book very quickly for popular dates. During the corporate party season (November through January), artists can start booking more than a year in advance. Avoid disappointment and start looking for entertainment as soon as you know the date of your corporate event.
#9 – KNOW WHAT YOU WANT (AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHAT YOUR AUDIENCE WANTS). You can make it easier to find an entertainer if you have an idea of the type of entertainment that would work well for your group. Popular corporate entertainment includes:
COMEDY – Comedy acts can be a great way to get your group laughing together. Comedy acts don’t have to be just comedians. Many corporate comedy acts combine magic, juggling, or other variety performances into their comedy show. This variety helps ensure that there is something for everyone at the performance.
No matter what type of comedy act you choose, make sure the comedy is appropriate for your group. Many comedians have different ideas about what “clean comedy” is, so be sure to ask for a demo video to preview the show (see #1 below!)
MUSIC – Many leading singers and bands are available for corporate events.
MAGIC – There are many different styles of corporate magicians and corporate magic shows. Some magicians offer walking magic (going from table to table at your event), some put on a big illusion show with special effects and a cast of dancers, others specialize in comedy magic that makes your audience laugh. Whatever styles of corporate entertainment you’re looking for, be sure to find a magician who specializes in just that style. There are magicians who will tell you that they do everything: illusions, comedy, promenade, but that’s because they don’t dominate any particular style, so all their shows are usually mediocre. To get the best show possible, hire a professional corporate magician who specializes in one style of magic. These performers will be the best in their field at illusion, comedy, or sleight of hand because that’s all they do.
HYPNOSIS: Hypnotists can be great for the right group. Mesmer shows are highly interactive and require a very outgoing and uninhibited group to be successful.
#8 – BOOK DIRECTLY WITH THE ENTERTAINER TO SAVE MONEY AND HEADACHE. If you book your corporate entertainment directly through the entertainer, you will save money on entertainment. Most corporate entertainment agencies add an additional 15-35% to an artist’s fee. By booking a corporate entertainer directly, you also have the convenience of being able to talk to the entertainer (or their office staff) about any questions or concerns. Most corporate entertainment agencies will not allow you to speak with the entertainer until the day of the show. By booking direct, you can be sure there will be no misunderstandings about the show. You can find direct contact information for artists by doing an Internet search for “corporate artists,” “California comedian,” etc.
#7 – PLAN A REALISTIC BUDGET. The old adage, “you get what you pay for,” applies to entertainment as well. Entertainment is not a place to save a few bucks. You would never cut back on the food you would give your guests, and you should never cut back on entertainment. Bad entertainment can ruin an event just as quickly as bad food. You will not be able to get a GOOD quality corporate artist to do a show for $400. Fees for a TOP QUALITY professional corporate artist will range from $1500 to $100,000 or more depending on the size of the show and the experience and reputation of the artist.
#6 – KNOW THE EXPERIENCE OF THE INTERPRETER. You want a corporate entertainer who primarily entertains corporate audiences. Don’t be afraid to ask questions… Is the artist a full-time animator? Have they performed at events like yours in the past? Do they have letters of recommendation and reviews from previous clients for me to read?
#5 – IF YOU HAVE A SPECIAL REQUEST… ASK! Many performers are happy to customize part of their performance for your event. If you have a special request in mind, please be sure to discuss this with the artist at the time of booking.
#4 – DISCUSS FACILITY REQUIREMENTS BEFORE BOOKING. The need for setup for artists varies greatly. Some can perform in the corner of a room with just a microphone, some need a minimal stage area and special sound and lighting equipment. Make sure your venue can accommodate your artist’s setup needs before you book.
#3 – LEAVE YOUR GUESTS WANTING MORE. 90 minutes of entertainment may sound like a great idea when you’re planning your corporate event, but most audiences don’t want to sit through a 90-minute show. A longer program does NOT equal a better program. Even the best comedians and entertainers in the WORLD (Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, etc.) only put on 60-75 minute shows. Professional entertainers and corporate event planners agree that a good length for most live corporate shows is 35-50 minutes. It’s always better to leave your audience excited and wanting more… instead of them getting tired and starting to look at the clock.
#2- KNOW WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE FEE. There are travel expenses associated with hiring national artists for your corporate party. Many artists include travel expenses in their performance fee, and for some, travel will be an additional expense. Make sure you know what’s included in the rate you’re quoted to avoid unexpected (and potentially expensive!) surprises.
#1 – MOST IMPORTANT – ALWAYS ASK TO SEE A DEMO VIDEO. A demo video is the only way you can really judge if a corporate artist will be a good fit for your company party. The demo video should be short and highlight segments of an artist’s show. The video must be shot in front of a live audience so you can see how a real audience reacts to the show. If an artist’s video is nothing more than split-second clips and flashy graphics set to music, then they’re probably trying to cover up an inappropriate performance, or worse, it could mean they’ve NEVER performed in front of a real audience.