| Finding entertainment for a corporate convention, | | | | performance. You can find direct contact information |
| holiday party or conference can seem like a | | | | for entertainers by doing an internet search for |
| overwhelming task. There are literally thousands of | | | | "corporate entertainers", "california comedian", etc. |
| excellent, good, and down right horrible corporate | | | | #7 - PLAN A REALISTIC BUDGET. The old adage, |
| entertainers available. This list will give you some | | | | "you get what you pay for", applies to entertainment |
| advice on how to narrow down your search and find | | | | as well. The entertainment is not a place to save a |
| entertainment that will help make your event a | | | | few dollars. You would never cut corners on the |
| success! | | | | food you would feed your guests, and should never |
| #10 - PLAN EARLY. The most popular corporate | | | | cut corners on the entertainment. Bad entertainment |
| entertainers book up very quickly for popular dates. | | | | can ruin an event just as quickly as bad food. You |
| During the corporate holiday party season (Nov-Jan), | | | | are not going to be able to get a GOOD quality |
| entertainers can begin to book up over a year in | | | | corporate entertainer to do a show for $400. Fees |
| advance. Avoid disappointment and start looking for | | | | for a TOP QUALITY, professional corporate |
| entertainment as soon as you know the date of | | | | entertainer will range from $1500 - $100,000 + |
| your corporate event. | | | | depending on the size of the show and the |
| #9 - KNOW WHAT YOU WANT (AND MORE | | | | performer's experience and reputation. |
| IMPORTANTLY, WHAT YOUR AUDIENCE WANTS). | | | | #6 - KNOW THE PERFORMER'S EXPERIENCE. You |
| You can make your search for an entertainer easier | | | | want a corporate entertainer who primarily |
| if you have an idea of the type of entertainment | | | | entertainers for corporate audiences. Don't be afraid |
| that would work well for your group. Popular | | | | to ask questions... Is the performer a full-time |
| corporate entertainment includes: | | | | entertainer? Have they performed at events like |
| COMEDY - Comedy acts can be a great way to get | | | | yours in the past? Do they have letters of |
| your group laughing together. Comedy acts don't | | | | recommendation and reviews from past clients for |
| have to be just stand-up comedians. Many corporate | | | | you to read? |
| comedy acts blend magic, juggling, or other variety | | | | #5 - IF YOU HAVE A SPECIAL REQUEST....ASK! Many |
| performances into their comedy show. This variety | | | | entertainers are happy to customize part of their |
| helps insure that there is something for everyone in | | | | performance for your event. If you have a special |
| the performance. | | | | request in mind, be sure to discuss this with the |
| No matter what type of comedy act your choose, | | | | performer at the time of booking. |
| be sure that the comedy is going to be appropriate | | | | #4 - DISCUSS SET-UP REQUIREMENTS BEFORE |
| for your group. Many comedians have different ideas | | | | BOOKING. Set-up need for entertainers vary greatly. |
| on what "clean comedy" is, so be sure to ask for a | | | | Some can perform in the corner of a room with just |
| demo video to preview the show (see #1 below!) | | | | a microphone, some need a minimum stage area and |
| MUSIC - Many headline singers and bands are | | | | special sound and lighting equipment. Be sure that |
| available for corporate events. | | | | your venue will be able to meet your entertainer's |
| MAGIC - There are many different styles of | | | | set-up needs prior to booking. |
| corporate magicians and corporate magic shows. | | | | #3 - LEAVE YOUR GUESTS WANTING MORE. 90 |
| Some magicians offer strolling magic (going table to | | | | minutes of entertainment may sound like a great idea |
| table at your event), some perform large illusion | | | | when you are planning your corporate event, but |
| show with special effects and a cast of dancers, | | | | most audiences do not want to sit through a 90 |
| others specialize in comedy magic that gets your | | | | minute show. A longer show does NOT equal better |
| audience laughing in involved. Whatever styles of | | | | show. Even the TOP comedians and entertainers in |
| corporate entertainment you are looking for, be sure | | | | the WORLD (Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, etc) only |
| to find a magician who specializes in only that style. | | | | perform 60-75 minute shows. Professional |
| There are magicians you will tell you that they do | | | | entertainers and corporate event planners agree that |
| everything - illusions, comedy, strolling, but that is | | | | a good length for most corporate live entertainment |
| because they are not proficient at any specific style, | | | | is 35-50 minutes. It is always better to leave your |
| so all their shows are usually only mediocre. For the | | | | audience excited and wanting more...rather than |
| best possible show, hire a professional corporate | | | | having them get tired and start looking at the watch. |
| magician who specializes in one style of magic. These | | | | #2- KNOW WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE FEE. There |
| performers will be the best in their field in illusion, | | | | are travel expenses associated with hiring national |
| comedy, or sleight-of-hand because that is all they | | | | entertainers for your corporate party. Many |
| do. | | | | entertainers include the travel expenses into their |
| HYPNOSIS - Hypnotists can be great for the right | | | | performance fee and for some travel will be an |
| group. Hypnotist shows are very interactive and | | | | additional expense. Be sure to know what is included |
| require a very outgoing and uninhibited group to really | | | | in the fee you are quoted to avoid any unexpected |
| be successful. | | | | (and potentially expensive!) surprises. |
| #8 - BOOK DIRECTLY WITH THE ENTERTAINER | | | | #1 - MOST IMPORTANTLY - ALWAYS ASK TO SEE |
| TO SAVE MONEY AND HEADACHES. If you book | | | | A DEMO VIDEO. A demo video is the only way you |
| your corporate entertainment directly through the | | | | can truly judge whether a corporate entertainer will |
| entertainer, you will save money on entertainment. | | | | be right for your company party. The demo video |
| Most corporate entertainment agencies add an | | | | should be short highlights of the segments of an |
| additional 15-35% to an entertainer's fee. By booking | | | | entertainer's show. The video should be filmed in |
| a corporate entertainer direct, you also have the | | | | front of a live audience so you can see how a real |
| convenience of being able to talk with the entertainer | | | | audience reacts to the show. If an entertainer's video |
| (or their office staff) about any questions or | | | | is nothing but split-second clips and flashy graphics |
| concerns. Most corporate entertainment agencies will | | | | set to music, then they are probably trying to cover |
| not let you talk with the entertainer until the day of | | | | for an inadequate performance - or worse, it could |
| the show. By booking direct, you can be guaranteed | | | | mean that they have NEVER even performed in |
| that there are no miscommunications about the | | | | front of a real audience. |