Special Events Entertainment

Corporate Event Entertainment

Special Events Entertainment

Set the Stage for Successful Events!

Uh-Oh! Your next awards banquet, company party, or special event is looming on your electronic calendar – and you haven’t booked the entertainment. It’s time to call Tom Crowl, a corporate entertainer in today’s hottest special event entertainment niche – ventriloquism.

Comedy is king – and no one brings a higher laugh-per-minute ratio than Tom. A brief call to discuss your needs and he delivers a comedy performance personalized to your audience.

As you plan your Special Events Entertainment

Ask your committee if they want to host an event that brings your employees together in audience participation and energetic, playful fun? Do they like the idea of comedy that is customized for your workplace? Do they want to see everyone laughing and talking about the event after the program? Do they want their people and company to be the stars of the show?

Contact Tom, and you’ll set the stage for a successful special event.

If your event is not a fit for Tom’s show, and you are looking for other company event entertainment ideas, we encourage you to contact our office for a free event consultation. Tom has worked with some of the top acts and agencies in the corporate events entertainment market. He would be happy to make recommendations or put you in touch with someone who can help with the success of your event.

If you are searching for corporate entertainment, we can help. If you are searching for event planning tips and information, we can help too! Each Monday, Tom offers a new episode of the Savvy Event Planner Podcast at: http://SavvyEventPodcast.com. He interviews event professionals, planners and service providers to share ideas, insights and tips that help you plan better events. Check it out here.

Maryland Corporate Entertainment

Corporate Event Entertainment

Maryland Corporate Event Planners:

Are you searching for Maryland corporate entertainment to hit a home run for your next event?

Breathe easier – the search is over!

Tom Crowl is a national, corporate entertainer who is based near Baltimore, Maryland. As a corporate entertainer, it is Tom’s mission to be of service to you and your group. Programs feature customized comedy that create huge laughs to help build camaraderie, relieve stress and make your message memorable.

Plus, since he lives in Maryland, there are no additional airfare or travel charges!

If you are looking for a Maryland venue to host your event, ask Tom. He has performed at many of the major Maryland event venues.

Baltimore corporate event venues include the Royal Farm Arena, The Grand, The Baltimore Museum of Industry, The Hilton Baltimore, Four Seasons Baltimore, and The Baltimore Marriott. 

In Annapolis, you may want to consider Fado Irish Pub for a relaxing get together, The Maritime Museum,  The Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, or Loews Annapolis.

Make your Maryland corporate entertainment event a success. And go green! Contact Tom today for a complimentary consultation to see if his show is a match for your vision.

Tom is within driving distance of: Annapolis, Baltimore, Bethesda, Bowie, Chesapeake City, College Park, Cumberland, Ellicott City, Greenbelt, Laurel, Rockville, Silver Spring, Columbia, Upper Marlboro, Linthicum, Frederick, Hagerstown, Gaithersburg, Salisbury, Ocean City and he’ll even go to Westminster!

Tom also drives to corporate events in Washington DC, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He also has no problem hopping on a plane to fly for corporate events throughout the United States. Tom regularly entertains corporate audiences in Atlanta, Orlando, San Francisco, Dallas,Las Vegas, New York and other popular event destinations.

Hire Corporate Entertainers

Corporate Event Entertainment

Beware The Bad When You Hire Corporate Entertainers

One thing is certain; everyone knows what he or she likes. Another certainty, everyone knows what they don’t like. The challenge, not everyone likes the same thing. This seems to create a no-win situation when planning corporate entertainment.

Bad corporate entertainers can destroy the reputation of your event. Even worse, they make you look bad in front of co-workers and the boss. You want to hire corporate entertainers that everyone will enjoy. But knowing the law of likes and dislikes means this part of planning is tricky.

Things To Consider When You Hire Corporate Entertainers

So how do you know if a corporate entertainer is good or bad? When you look at their website, they seem professional. In their videos, everyone is laughing and having a great time. Their quotes tell you they are wonderful. You call their references and they swear they are great. They must be right?

Good corporate entertainers didn’t become corporate entertainers overnight. They worked a variety of markets and audience styles to sharpen their skills. In the arts, this is known as “treading the boards”, getting in stage time and developing the act. Thousands of performances and twice as many hours of practice go into a corporate performance.

Good corporate entertainers are serious about business. Their business flourishes because they put your business first. Your event is important and they understand they are there to make you look great.

Good corporate entertainers remain flexible and easy to work with when event situations change. They also know their stuff, and make suggestions to create the best possible chance for program success.

What about bad corporate entertainers? In our experience, anyone can have a bad day at work. Entertainers are no different. When an entertainer does well, everyone raves. When an entertainer has an off night, everyone knows it. As the event planner, you are affected either way. So what creates the off night?

Usually off nights come from poor corporate entertainment selection. If your attendees have been in meetings all day, they can have short attention spans and be tired. They may not be up for the corporate comedian and prefer music instead. Just be careful your singer isn’t doing rap for a group of 60-year old executives. That is a true example of a bad entertainment selection.

As a corporate entertainer, Tom Crowl has entertained across the U.S. for all types of company events. He’s networked with other corporate event services and corporate entertainers. It has been a study in the success and failure of corporate events.

Don’t leave your corporate entertainment to chance. Contact our office for a no obligation corporate entertainment consultation. We will listen to your needs, ask questions to dig deep and make suggestions that can help your event succeed.

Corporate Entertainment Ideas For Team Building

Corporate Event Entertainment

Your staff’s morale is important to the growth and productivity of your company. In today’s workplace things can change in the blink of an eye. Companies downsize, close their doors and are absorbed by larger firms. These conditions make it vital for your workforce to feel valued.

Team building activities allow you to strengthen the bond between employees and company. Training and educating a team during corporate group activities boosts confidence. Coworkers bond to create a sense of family in an atmosphere of optimism.

So how can you determine which type of team building activity is right for your group? Selecting the right style event can be a challenge. You must determine if your team would respond to:

classroom style team training,
charity team building events,
outdoor team building activities,
or survival training

While corporate training and team building usually show a high return on investment, you don’t need to blow the budget. There are plenty of cost effective team building corporate entertainment ideas. We’ve selected the:

Top 6 Corporate Entertainment Ideas For Team Building 

activities to share here.

Improvisational Comedy: 

Think you don’t have a funny bone? Think again. Improv comedy allows your group to laugh and reduce stress, while building communication skills. It teaches a sense of team, thinking outside the box and acceptance of others’ ideas. Hire a corporate comedian that specializes in workplace funny and this is a unique and winning event.

Games & Challenges: 

Classics like tug of war, office chair races, volleyball or softball are simple team building fun. Fostering friendly competition, co-workers can cheer each other on and discover team tactic techniques.

Wine Tasting: 

Wine tastings are a stylish way to have your team connect. Select a winery or wine bar with personality though. You want more than wine samplings. Have them provide information on each sampling and then quiz your team. Think of it as a wine game show to stimulate friendly competition.

Cooking School: 

Spice things up with a delectable team inspired meal. A cooking class that ends with dinner is a lot of fun. Your staff learns a skill, how to eat better and how to work together. To climax the evening they can sit down as a family and enjoy the results of everyone’s efforts.

Scavenger Hunts: 

This is a great way to get people working together. From the organizational end, coordination to select the list items is fun. Once the rest of your workforce joins in, communication, creative thought and teamwork rules the day. From around the office, to an educational around the community hunt, everyone will have a great time.

Charity: 

Giving back to the community is a win-win situation. It makes your staff feel great, your company look good and improves your neighborhood. Consider assembling your group to improve a community rec center or build a playground. The construction aspect of physical labor brings people together. The results of this activity will benefit everyone for years to come.

Your existing team’s confidence plays a major role as your company moves forward. We hope you’ve found these team building corporate entertainment ideas helpful.

When planning any corporate event, entertainment can elevate your function to the next level. Contact our office for a no-obligation corporate entertainment consultation.

Selecting Perfect Corporate Event Venues

Corporate Event Entertainment

Site selection for corporate event venues requires plenty of thought.

Signing with the first venue that has availability or the cheapest rate can be a mistake. That is why we’ve created this detailed guide to help. These tips can help you find corporate event venues that will be perfect for your event.

Destination:

When considering the location of a venue, you need to consider accessibility and the environment.

Is It Accessible?

How easy will it be for your attendees to get to the destination? What costs are involved? An expensive trip adds to the out-of-pocket expense of your attendees and can cut into your numbers.

Is the venue close to the airport? Is there adequate airport assistance? How many flights come into your destination? If the airport is a major hub, your attendees will have more travel options and rates are usually lower.

Will your event be during peak season? This will play into the costs of hosting and travel.

Is there adequate shuttle, taxi and limousine service? How much will the shuttles and taxis cost? Is there enough parking? This is especially important at hotels, when hotel guests will also be using the parking lot.

What About The Environment?

Is your venue set off by itself? Or is it convenient to area attractions? What local attractions are available? Shopping? Recreation? Restaurants? Make a note of these so the information will be available to your attendees.

Will weather conditions play a factor? Holding a late December corporate holiday party in North Dakota may be no problem for co-workers in the area. But if your corporate entertainer is from out of state, weather may cause travel issues.

What is the appearance of the area? Is the economy of your destination healthy? Closed storefronts and limited hours at restaurants create a negative impression. Is the area safe? Tourists are sometimes easy targets for criminals. You don’t want your event marred by a crime.

Does the destination area have a positive reputation for hosting meetings and events? Reputation can create anticipation for your target audience. What services are available from the local convention bureau? Their support and guidance can make your job easier.

The last destination consideration is the availability of corporate event services. Audiovisual firms, exhibit services, corporate entertainment companies, temporary help and security services may be required.

The Venue:

With the selection of your event location, you must now consider the venues themselves. These tips and questions can help you determine if the facility will work for your event.

Starting at the moment of arrival, what will attendees experience? Are there friendly, efficient doormen and bellmen to help with luggage? Is valet parking available? If so, what is the cost? You want the transition from vehicle to venue to go as smoothly as possible.

Is the lobby attractive and clean? Is the registration desk easy to locate? Will there be enough space to avoid long lines of people during peak check-in/check-out times? Will the venue have enough front desk personnel? What is their demeanor? You want your attendees to feel welcome.

Is there an information desk? Is it staffed all the time? Quick delivery of messages and responses to phone calls are important to attendees. You want the venue to exceed their expectations because that positively reflects on your event.

What guest services are available? Is there a gift shop? A concierge? Safety deposit boxes? How about nearby banks, drugstores and emergency services? What is the average response time for emergency services in the event an ambulance is needed?

How are the elevators? Are they modern and fast? Are they in good working order? Are there enough? When people get backed up because of slow elevator service, they can become frustrated. You don’t want that to be a lasting memory of the event. Are the hallways well lit? Are they clean?

Now take a look at the rooms, what type of key service is used? Are rooms handicapped accessible? Or are there special handicap accessible rooms? If so, how many?

Are the rooms comfortable and clean? Is the furniture in good condition? How about the bathrooms? Are they modern or dated? How is the lighting? Do they provide hair dryers? If so, do they work? Is there closet space with hangers?

Are there working smoke detectors? It may be the law, but check to see how often they change batteries, or if they are wired into the electrical service with battery backup. Is the fire exit information displayed?

Do the rooms have any appliances? Microwave? Refrigerator? Is there a wet bar? What is the availability of ice machines and vending? Are they on every floor? Or must some guests ride the elevator to get ice? How is the soundproofing? If people are talking at a normal voice in the hallway, will it disturb someone trying to sleep?

What types of rooms are available? Standard, Deluxe and Suite? What are the sizes? How many of each style? Also ask for a breakdown of bed types, King, Queen and Double bed rooms. Are floor plans available that you can share with attendees? Are there towers or executive floors with special guest services?

Is the hotel non-smoking? If so, where do smokers go to enjoy their habit? Is there seating for them? Is it covered in anyway in the event of bad weather? If the hotel is not non-smoking, how many non-smoking floors are available? Get a break down on both standard and concierge floors.

What are the venue’s reservation procedures and policies? What are the guarantee and deposit requirements? What would is the event rate vs. the standard rate? What would the cut-off date be for booking rooms at that rate? What dates would the hotel provide those rates in case attendees wish to arrive early or stay later? How many rooms will be available for early arrivals and late departures? What are standard check-in and check-out times? Does the hotel have an ATM? What is their check-cashing policy? What credit cards are accepted?

A lot of questions? You bet, and we aren’t finished! What are the dates of any planned renovations? You don’t want to be the event tripping through their dust and commotion. Are any changes in hotel management or ownership being discussed? The last thing you want come event time is having all new people to deal with.

Does the hotel have a pool? A fitness room? A health club? What are the hours? Are there any associated costs for the health club? What are the telephone access charges? Most people have cell phones, but someone may need to use this service.

Event Space:

Meeting and convention rooms have many shapes and sizes. As the event planner, you must evaluate the potential of the rooms you are considering. What are their advantages and inadequacies? Are there obstructions that will render the room useless for your needs?

Request the measurements of the venue’s rooms along with a scaled diagram. Add in any equipment, staging or decorations to determine the remaining space. Will the square footage accommodate your estimated attendance?

As you begin the site inspection, here are some questions you will need to answer.

How many rooms will be required? You may have meetings, roundtable discussions, lectures or workshops, meals, and formal programs. What is your estimated attendance for each program? Will attendees be seated classroom style, theater style or conference style? How quickly can convention services strike a room and reset it to your event requirements?

Are the rooms open with high ceilings and no obstructions to provide a clear view? Are light controls easily accessible for audiovisual presentations? Do the rooms have a sound system? If so, does it work? Are the controls nearby so they may be easily adjusted? How do the speakers sound? Are they muffled? Do they rattle? Is the speaker’s voice clear and loud enough to echo off the walls? Remember, sound carries differently in an empty room than when a room is full. If the sound is not adequate, you may need to hire a sound company to provide equipment.

Do the rooms have ample space for people to move about? Is additional space needed for refreshments or can they be provided near the room? Is the room and set up accessible for people with disabilities?

Food Service:

There are two types of food and beverage service to consider. The first will be your public outlets. These will be the services attendees use when your event isn’t providing a meal. They include breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service.

Public Service:

With a large event, getting everyone served and finished on time is important. You don’t want sessions to start late because people are still eating. You also don’t want attendees to miss something because they were waiting for food service.

Here are some questions to ask when evaluating public service. Is the restaurant or eating area large enough to handle the number of attendees? If not, are there other dining options? Is it possible to set up extra food outlets to handle our attendance? A continental breakfast? A buffet? Quick lunch service? Food trucks in the parking lot?

Are the eating and food preparation areas clean? How many staff members would be on duty during peak dining hours? How long is the kitchen open for diners and room service? What is the attitude of the personnel? Is service prompt and efficient? Remember when you are the guest of the convention services and sales manager, service is always excellent. It sometimes pays off to make a surprise visit without letting anyone know you are there.

Does the menu offer a good variety? Can they accommodate special diet restrictions? What is the menu’s price range? Does the restaurant have a reservation policy? Are there any other dining options nearby? If so, how long does it take people to get there?

The answers to these questions should weigh heavily on your venue selection decision. You want to make certain everyone has easy accessibility to good food at a decent price.

Group Service:

When meals are a part of your event, you want everything to be delicious and run perfect. Does your venue provide this service? Are outside services a possibility? If so, who are the venue’s recommended catering vendors?

Starting with the menu, is there a wide choice of options? Will the service tailor menus and make food substitutions available? Can the service take care of guests with special dietary requirements? What does this consideration add to the expense of the meal service?

Are there minimum guarantees? What is the food service deadline for your total attendance? Are any additional meals prepared? If so, how many beyond the guarantee? What is the charge for each? Are there any projected price increases between now and your meeting? If so, you need to plan your budget accordingly.

What type of services are available? Full service meals? Buffet lines? How much additional staffing would be required for service, bussing tables and clean up?

What are the sizes of the tables and how many do they seat? What are the rental costs of the tables and chairs? Will you be renting plates, flatware, napkins and table cloths? How much will these items run?

What are the food costs associated with your selected menu? How much will the added staffing and labor add to your budget? Are taxes and gratuities included? Will this add to the rental time of the room? If so, what is the expense?

When considering liquid refreshments, will you opt for an open bar or a cash bar? What are the liquor laws in the area? How much will the bartender cost and are there a minimum number of hours? Will a cashier be required? What are the drink prices?

Make certain to ask about refreshment breaks too. Water service for the meeting rooms is always welcome by attendees. Know these costs and discover any free service or perks at the inspection stage.

Equipment Rental Services:

Is your event in need of a platform for speakers or corporate entertainers? Will you need lighting for the stage? Will you need to outsource appropriate sound equipment? If you are having music, do you require a dance floor? Are you providing your own decorations? Or will you want the venue to provide them? Do they? These extra items can surprise your budget if you don’t plan in advance. Never assume a venue will provide something for free just because they have it!

Trade Show Exhibit Space:

How large is the trade show area? Can it accommodate the number of vendors you expect? Is there a loading dock near the exhibit area? Can the venue accept freight? Is there a secure receiving area to hold those shipments until exhibitors arrive? What are the costs associated with this? (These costs will be paid by exhibitors and you will need to provide this information to them.)

What is the maximum floor load? Are utilities convenient? What are the utility costs for booths? How is the lighting? Is supplemental lighting available? Is there office space for the exposition manager? A place for the exhibition service contractor to store extra tables or pipe and drape? Are there crate storage areas? What is the policy for their use?

Are decorations available to enhance the decor? What is the room’s proximity to other event meeting rooms? Is security available? How much time is available for load in and load out? Are there extra rental fees charged for this period? Is a first aid station available? Is there enough room that aisles are wheelchair accessible?

Office Services:

You may need a command center to run your corporate event. Is there a room you can use as an office and registration area? Is it easy to find and convenient to your meeting rooms? Are there plenty of electrical outlets? Will you have access to tables and chairs in the room? Will you be able to secure and lock it after hours? Are there additional charges for this space?

Other Questions You Don’t Want To Forget:

Are all doors to meeting rooms wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair? They should be, but double check.

Is the venue flexible regarding your planned agenda? Or are spaces and set ups locked in by the signed contract? Things change and if one day out have to change a theater style event into a classroom event, you want a flexible partner as your venue.

Finally, will there be any other groups using the space? If so, what is their schedule? How many people will they have? Many corporate events have been ruined by a band in the next room drowning out a keynote speaker.

Contact our office to plan corporate entertainment for your event. We work with you to make everything run smooth and your event is incredible!

Corporate Event Planning Ideas For Spring & Summer

Corporate Event Entertainment

The weather will soon be getting warmer and everyone will want to be outdoors. So these corporate event planning ideas for spring and summer are just in time. You can tie the seasons to your message and use the environment to create something truly unique for attendees. Plus, you may even find venues and vendors offering great deals for corporate event services. Spring and summer are not considered peak season by most corporate event suppliers.

Here are some ideas to consider when creating your spring and summer events:

Consider Unique Event Locations:

For tight budgets, a great location could be right outside of your door. Parking lots are an often overlooked area that keeps people close to the office while offering a change of pace. A parking lot picnic can give employees a great afternoon break. Burgers and hotdogs on the grill along with corn on the cob and grilled veggies make everyone’s day. Or consider a Barbecue Cook-off with employees creating their best Que! Everyone could vote for a winner.

Other unusual locations for summer and spring corporate events can include a local winery. An outdoor wine tasting provides a stress relieving event that bonds co-workers. Botanical gardens are another venue to consider as employees can explore the beauty of nature.

There is nothing like a day at the ballpark either. Have your team cheering on the home team for a fun activity. Major and minor league options are available for different size budgets.

Keep The Weather In Mind:

As gorgeous as the weather can be, spring and summer are subject to fluctuating conditions. A brutally hot day can wilt the most enthusiastic people. Rain and thunderstorms can pop up without a moments notice. Be sure to create a contingency plan for any outdoor events. A tent company could erect a large canopy to shade and protect your guests in the event of rain or intense heat from the sun. A nearby building could become the venue if storms come in. Make sure to have plenty of water to keep attendees hydrated. Advance planning can keep the unexpected from ruining your day.

Plan Some Entertainment:

Give everyone an extra perk by arranging some corporate entertainment. You’ve got employees out of the office so take the opportunity to create some real benefits. Corporate comedy entertainers can reduce stress and provide lasting benefits. Co-workers will laugh, relax, and have more fun.

Pull In Spring & Summer Ambiance:

Create a theme that sets your event apart from all others. A beach party theme could come complete with volleyball and waterslides. A paradise vacation may feature a reggae band and offer massage tables for relaxation. Even the simple addition of fresh flowers and fruit can highlight the season and add to the feel of your function.

Now is the time to start planning spring and summer events for your company. Contact our office to discuss your corporate entertainment needs. We look forward to helping you create a memorable event.

Looking for other corporate event planning ideas? Click here to check out our blog!