Your company is investing a lot in their annual dinner. Renting a venue, drinks and food, and possibly gifts, door prizes or awards. The last thing you want to do is ruin it with inappropriate entertainment.
Awards banquets, recognition dinners, gala dinners & corporate entertainment banquets share a lot in common:
The schedule usually begins with a happy hour. A chance for guests to arrive, unwind with a drink and talk with co-workers or friends. Next they find a seat and are either sent to the buffet, or served their meals.
The meals consist of rolls, salad, fruit, entree of meat, fish or poultry, sides and dessert.
A speech or awards are presented while guests finish their food. Finally the evening's after dinner entertainment is announced. Once the show is over, everyone heads for the door and back to their regular life.
Does that sound familiar? Is that really what you want for your company annual dinner investment? Or would you like to take your evening to the next level?
What if you could enhance the happy hour by creating a better networking experience. Instead of people clumping with known associates, they can interact with larger groups. Get to know more people and feel like part of the experience.
What if dinner offered healthier choices for the health and diet concerned?
What if you turned the annual company dinner entertainment on it's ear? Instead of ending with the entertainment, using it to open your guests to receiving the company's message. Finishing your night with total focus on your company's concerns.
If you are in charge of finding entertainment for a company annual dinner, contact our office now. If Tom isn't right for your vision or needs, he can put you in touch with the perfect act to rock your occasion.
Are you responsible for planning a conference or corporate meeting? You have a lot on your plate. You don't need the added pressure of finding the right corporate meeting entertainment. That is where we can help.
Tom interviews event professionals for the Savvy Event Planner Podcast. In some episodes he asks guests to share an event that stands out in their mind. Then he quizzes them on what made the event special.
In every case, it comes back to making the attendees feel special. This applies to pre and post meeting communications as well.
People remember feelings.
Nothing illicits feelings like entertainment. You remember the movie that made you cry. A show that you walked out of because it was so bad. The comedian that made you laugh. The band that had you dancing and singing along.
Working with the right corporate entertainer can take your program to the next level. Personalized corporate entertainment involves and focuses on your attendees. It features your message and reinforces your event goals.
As a business meeting entertainment professional, Tom works with you every step of the way. Upon request he provides pre-meeting video or audio teasers to help excite attendees. A post-event thank you video can be shared to continue engaging your audience. It is more than just a show, it is an important component of your event.
Tom always remains flexible to your schedule to keep things running smoothly. His attention to detail and dedication to your goals figures into every performance.
Talk with us about your corporate meeting entertainment needs today. Let us help keep your event top of mind long after it’s over.
Meeting professionals: do you need help with other areas of your corporate meeting planning? Make sure to check out Tom's Savvy Event Planner Podcast to learn more about:
Location selection,
Venue considerations,
Contracting wifi,
Finding flexible spaces,
Food choices,
Health consciousness,
Event apps,
Going green,
Team building,
Corporate social responsibility,
and Measuring Meeting ROI
We look forward to helping you with your corporate meeting entertainment – contact us today!
WESTMINSTER, MD., February 3rd, 2016 – Maher Ventriloquist Studios has been stepping up since 1934 to turnout and share the most talented and popular ventriloquists with organizations and venues around the world. Today the company operates under the auspice of corporate entertainment and comedy ventriloquist, Tom Crowl, kid show ventriloquist Mark Wade, and comedian ventriloquist Ken Groves.
The International Ventriloquist Society is an arm of Maher Studios, and is ventriloquism's only operating organization for the art. It includes the membership of well-known ventriloquists like Jeff Dunham and Terry Fator (winner of America's Got Talent) , proving that IVS is the most renowned organization for ventriloquists in the industry. Six times a year the trio publishes an online newsletter that includes video instruction, reports from international correspondents, and informational articles and photographs from ventriloquists around the globe.
Maher Studios was originally founded by professional ventriloquist Fred Maher. The business began to turn out graduates with the Maher Course of Ventriloquism as early as 1934. The course was widely recognized as one of the most influential for aspiring and seasoned ventriloquists. Thanks to corporate entertainer and comedy ventriloquist Tom Crowl, the course has been republished and made available on the Amazon Kindle Platform. Crowl is also responsible for creating Maher's new online products. As a co-founder of IVS, Crowl wants to ensure that ventriloquists worldwide are not only armed with the best tools to help them hone their skills, but are also part of the IVS roster so he can personally help match the right talent with any given event.
“I include a list of ventriloquists on my website because as a corporate entertainer it is my goal to help clients find the best entertainment for their event,” Crowl said. “If someone is looking to hire a ventriloquist I encourage them to reach out. As co-founder of IVS and a staff member of the Vent Haven ConVENTion, I know and have seen most of today's working ventriloquists. If I am not right for an event, I am able to determine who is, and match that event with an act that suits their needs.”
Crowl has been entertaining international audiences as a corporate entertainer and comedy ventriloquist for three decades. His own online ventriloquism video course has turned out dozens of talented graduates worldwide.
Amazing Corporate Entertainment
Helps Increase Event ROI.
Shine the light on your event goals. Engage your audience with corporate entertainment that highlights your message. Tom keeps your company's needs center stage. All designed to create memories and feelings that extend engagement beyond the event's confines.
Experience combined with
expertise and creativity takes events to the next level. Excitement Included.
Want Amazing Results?
“…the way he customized our show was a real success and so funny!”
Dawna Wilkerson, OPS Consulting, LLC
“He is incredible to work with and does a wonderful job personalizing his routine to fit the need of the client!”
Shanna B, Oxy Permian, TX
No matter how you measure success, audience mindset is key to your results. Let's talk today about your event needs. Our office will work with you to develop an amazing corporate entertainment experience.
Live entertainment, business comedians, amazing stage shows and fabulous corporate entertainers. Amazing corporate entertainment – ready to impress clients, co-workers and colleagues.
We've got exciting things in the works for our clients this year. From cutting-edge corporate comedy to riveting Masters of Ceremonies and revolutionary stage performances. It’s going to be amazing!
Until we have a chance to work together:
Keep up with breaking event industry developments and join the conversation on Tom's weekly podcast for event planners at: http://SavvyEventPodcast.comThe podcast is also available on iTunes.
Tom can help you achieve your outcome. Superb entertainment that keeps your guests laughing. When you are under pressure to make an event memorable, on budget and on time, call us.
Tom is one of the world's most experienced comedy ventriloquist corporate acts. With him on your team, you can relax. You'll have amazing corporate entertainment that understands your goals and makes them happen.
That Make Your Event Memorable – For The Right Reason!
Corporate entertainment is often one of the most memorable aspects of an event. People forget what a speaker said but remember how it made them feel. People forget what they ate. They remember if the food was good and the service prompt.
But ask them about the live entertainment. Most will remember the comedian that wasn't funny. The band that was too loud. The magician that embarrassed the volunteer.
The moment something like that happens, it impacts the entire “feeling” of your function.
And the fact is, it doesn't matter where you hire entertainment. Agencies often have favorites they rely on time and again. These acts make things easy on the talent agent. But that doesn't mean they are the right entertainment for you.
Many corporate entertainers contract direct. In some cases they take work for the payday. You can also contract entertainment acts through event planners, DMC's and other entertainers.
So how can you tell which corporate entertainment acts to hire?
Talk to Tom. He makes it simple. With more than 30 years in the corporate entertainment business, he has worked with the best. He listens to your plans. Discusses your goals. Learns about your audience and makes suggestions based on your needs.
We do not charge you for the consultation. We do not accept commissions from acts or agencies we recommend. Our only goal is your success. Tom knows by pointing you in the right direction, you will remember him when his talents fit your needs.
Contact us today and let him help you find the perfect corporate entertainment acts for your event.
Are you looking for a corporate comedian? Corporate magician? Corporate Juggling act? Corporate hypnotist? Corporate artist? Let us know your needs and we will put you in touch with the artist or corporate entertainment agency that will help rock your world!
BALTIMORE, MD, February 3rd, 2016 – Corporate comedian and ventriloquist Tom Crowl has been chosen to emcee the Maryland Quality Initiative (MdQI) Annual Banquet and Awards of Excellence dinner at the Baltimore Convention Center on Thursday, Feb. 4th.
MdQI is a statewide initiative created by Maryland's transportation industry to improve the design and maintenance of the transportation system as a whole. The banquet is part of an annual two-day informational and technical conference aimed to enhance professional and leadership skills for experts in the transportation industry in Maryland.
Corporate comedian and ventriloquist Tom Crowl was chosen to emcee the event to keep the audience energized and engaged and ensure the program is run smoothly. To make this year's banquet the most unique and memorable to date, the final awards will be presented by puppet doppelganger versions of two MdQI board members. Crowl is highly recognized for this signature sketch where he turns audience members into human puppets. The awards to be presented in this hilarious sketch comedy are the:
Modal/Municipal Awards – Projects under $5 Million (MDOT Modes, Baltimore City and CEAM)
Modal/Municipal Awards – Projects over $5 Million (MDOT Modes, Baltimore City and CEAM)
Crowl will also be animating MdQI member's pictures to create virtual ventriloquist puppets.
The first MdQI conference unfolded in 1994 and was dubbed the “Road to Quality.” In 2008, it shifted to recognize projects completed within a fiscal year instead of a calendar year. To be eligible for an Award of Excellence, projects must have a completion or acceptance date between October 1st and September 30th of the next calendar year.
For more information on MdQI, visit: http://www.mdqi.org/
When hosting your next event in Maryland, don't chance the entertainment. You need more than a ventriloquist. You need an act:
that will keep your audience laughing,
generate positive comments from guests
and make you look brilliant for hiring the right entertainer.
As popular as ventriloquists are, there are very few good ventriloquist acts. Most ventriloquists are part time performers with little experience. A ventriloquist with joke book comedy and limited skills can be excruciating for audiences.
The difference a professional ventriloquist makes …
Maryland ventriloquist Tom Crowl is a full time professional ventriloquist. Based in Westminster, Maryland, Crowl travels nationally & internationally entertaining audiences. A touring ventriloquist comedian, Tom has headlined corporate events across the United States. His ventriloquist show has also been featured at resorts and on cruise ships.
Crowl is recognized as a leader in the world of ventriloquism. In 2012, Tom launched the first on-line virtual ventriloquism course. Today, his course helps thousands of students across the globe learn the art of ventriloquism.
With thousands of performances under his belt, Tom brings experience to your event. Your audience and event is the only thing that matters. He understands how to connect with diverse audiences of different age ranges and occupations.
When you talk, the first thing Tom does is ask about your event. He wants to be sure the entertainment is a good mix for your needs. Otherwise your entertainment budget is blown and no one benefits.
If you are looking for a Maryland ventriloquist in:
Looking for something unique this holiday season? Don't want to settle for the same old Christmas party entertainment?
It may seem like you just celebrated the holidays. Isn't it a bit early to start thinking about next year? It is never too early. The best Christmas party entertainment usually gets booked well in advance. That isn't to say you can't find a great act at the last minute, but why add the stress to your holiday event planning?
This year host a show that highlights your company and guests. Clean comedy for corporate Christmas parties, clubs, and private holiday events. Tom keeps your audience laughing no matter if it is adult, family or focused on the kids.
A fun show that could be one of your best Christmas party ideas ever! Ideal for company employee parties and celebrating families.
Tom presents a ventriloquist show jam-packed with fun and entertainment for the whole family. If you enjoy laugh out loud comedy ventriloquism, this show is a must-see!
Crowl's ventriloquist Christmas show has performed at major corporate parties across the United States. Toyota, Pepsi, Oxy Permain, & Hutchinson Mayrath are just a few of the companies to enjoy Crowl's humor.
“From top management down, it has been said this is one of the best Christmas parties that we’ve had. Thank you, thank you Tom for the wonderful time!”
– Shanna B. Oxy Permian, Midland, TX
Today companies want to celebrate the holidays without offending a diverse workforce. Crowl's show is funny, focused & pokes fun at the season while keeping sensitivities in mind.
Try something different this coming holiday season. Talk to Tom about his ventriloquist Christmas show today. Dates go fast, so plan early to ensure availability.
Corporate entertainment with an emphasis on personalized comedy.
HEBRON, KY., January 11th, 2016 – Comedy ventriloquist and corporate entertainment professional Tom Crowl is attracting attention after a successful ventriloquism lecture made waves with attendees at the 2014 Vent Haven International Ventriloquist ConVENTion in Kentucky. The convention was created to help others learn the specialized skill of ventriloquism while artfully improving their craft. To keep aspiring and seasoned ventriloquists in the loop on the lecture, Crowl created a How To Do Ventriloquism page on his website, http://comedyventriloquist.com, and it's garnering lots of traffic.
The How To Do Ventriloquism page is one of the most popular pages at http://comedyventriloquist.com. Using slides and information from the lecture, Crowl offers site visitors a video with tips, tricks, and truth on how to become a successful ventriloquist. From learning how one can learn to throw their voice to speaking without moving their lips, Crowl has assembled one of the most informational and entertaining free resources for ventriloquists available on the web.
The repetitive web hits tend to come after popular ventriloquists appear on television. When ventriloquist Jeff Dunham has a TV special air, Crowl's numbers on his How To Do Ventriloquism web page increase quickly. When Paul Zerdin appeared on America's Got Talent with his puppeteer talents, the same thing happened. These spikes can be accredited to the fact that ventriloquism is an art form that is still extremely popular and, therefore, generates interest on how one can begin the process of becoming a successful ventriloquist.
Comedy ventriloquist and corporate entertainment professional Tom Crowl has been part of the staff at the Vent Haven International Ventriloquist ConVENTion since 2009. Upwards of 600 attendees made their way to the convention this past summer. Proceeds from the convention benefit the Vent Haven Ventriloquist Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated to the art of ventriloquism. The museum, started by William Shakespeare Berger in the 1940's, is located in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
Looking for entertainment ideas for an upcoming awards banquet?
We are happy to share some unique entertainment ideas. We'll even point you in the right direction depending on your needs.
But before we do, you should know …
Entertainment can make or break your event. Unfortunately, many event planners miss out when it comes to the program portion of the evening.
Awards banquets allow companies, charities and associations a chance to recognize significant members. It is a chance to say “thank you” to key players in your success.
Awards banquets are also an important part of reinforcing brand, message and promoting awareness. They:
improve staff, volunteer and member morale.
build reputation and awareness when promoted through media.
add value when tied into a conference, convention or other corporate event.
help build bonds between clients and host.
As important as an awards banquet is, you may notice they all seem the same. Which may be the reason most people hate attending recognition dinners. Many event planners become engrossed in meal choices, decorations and entertainment. They lose site of the purpose. Before your select entertainment, it is smart to take a look at the entire event.
Clarifying The Purpose Of Your Awards Banquet
As you plan an awards banquet, it is important to avoid falling into the same old trap. Start by being clear on the purpose of the event. It include be one or several of the following reasons:
to make people feel appreciated for their efforts. As individuals and as a group.
to help people feel they are part of the big picture.
to introduce your volunteers, staff or key members to others.
to educate attendees about the impact of those you recognize.
to re-commit people to the future of your company, charity or association.
The Basic Format of an Awards Dinner
Now let's look at the standard format of an awards luncheon or dinner.
Cocktails / Networking
Dinner
Speeches
Awards
Entertainment
Does that look familiar to you? It should. Most awards dinners or recognition luncheons follow this schedule.
Does the schedule actually meet the purpose outlined earlier? My vote is no. It follows the typical agenda of every other dinner event, minus the awards segment.
So how can your awards banquet be different?
First, plan your entertainment immediately following the meal. This will put everyone in a good mood and make them receptive to the speeches and awards that follow.
It will also allow your event to end with the proper focus. You want people to remember your recognitions and message.
Other Awards Banquet Ideas:
Cut the speeches and opt for a few heartfelt words.
Have presenters share tidbits of information so attendees see the role award winners play.
Involve clients in the thank you process. If they can't attend, an audio or video recording adds value to the presentation.
Create slideshows that highlight activities and projects. These may run during dinner, or the program.
Instead of listing names in your programs, include photos and a breif bio of nominees. This allows you the chance to highlight everyone's accomplishments, making everyone winners.
Present some “Goofy Awards” to lighten the mood between larger presentations.
Practice your presentations to avoid confusion or delay. You want to keep things moving and not bore the audience.
And Now For Awards Banquet Entertainment Ideas
When selecting entertainment you don't want to forget the reason your attendees are there. Hire banquet entertainment that can highlight your company, association or charity.
Consider the mood you want to create. If you want your audience laughing, open and receptive, a corporate comedian is an excellent choice. If you want a more reserved response, classical music or an educational speaker may be just the thing.
To get the most out of your banquet entertainment:
Think about the wow factor. Is the entertainment going to impress guests? Will something about the program leave them talking?
Can they incorporate your logo, product or message? This would allow the entertainment to highlight your company, charity or association.
Be aware or the latest entertainment trends. Was there a unique talent that won a television program like America's Got Talent? You may not be able to afford the winner, but perhaps you can find similar talent that will appeal to your guests. This tip will make your entertainment timely and unique.
Among the most popular awards banquet entertainment ideas are:
Ventriloquists – a popular art, seldom seen live. Ventriloquists can be funny, personalize the program and recognize your guests.
Comedians – having a room full of laughing guests makes any awards presentation sail smoothly.
Musicians or DJ's – these are generally best used following an awards ceremony. This goes against the recommended use of entertainment before the awards. Music selection can also be difficult to please an audience with a wide age range.
Jugglers – the concept of keeping several things in the air could be tied into your awards message.
Magicians – audience participation and magic with a theme or product is a staple of many corporate magicians.
Speed Painters – seeing artwork appear on a huge canvas can be fascinating to watch. The painting can then be used as a momento of the event. Hung in an office or used on the cover of a newsletter or future program, the art promotes the recognition.
For those on a tight entertainment budget, additional awards banquet entertainment ideas include:
