Corporate Event Entertainment
If you are looking for corporate event venue ideas, the Hilton Convention Center in Branson, Missouri is an excellent choice. The hotel staff and convention services were both top notch. From management to the staff, everyone went out of their way to make sure that everything was suitable for the client and their event.
As a corporate entertainer, I get to see things clients do not. I’m generally setting and sound checking while the room is being set. With no clients around, you will sometimes hear disgruntled or unhappy employees complaining about something. Not at the Hilton Convention Center. That speaks very highly for their dedication to making convention clients happy.
The convention center is conveniently attached to the hotel via the second floor walkway. There is a bar/lounge on the corner where attendees could meet and talk over a drink following seminars.
A grand escalator led down to the convention center lobby and ballrooms. I’m not certain when this venue was built or renovated but everything was in top shape and absolutely gorgeous. The ballroom is available in several configurations. The corporate event I entertained was sectioned into Taneycomo B, which held about 250 people with room to spare.
The ballroom lighting is state of the art, with programmable LED lighting to set the mood. It looks great, but beware of your choices. The client had decided upon an orange light for their casino night. The lights made their entire buffet look like Salmon. No one could determine what the food was before taking a bite. On the evening of my performance, they selected a blue to set a subdued tone. It definitely added to the ambience.
In my rider, I require sound for the stage. The Hilton Convention Center features Bose speakers in the ceiling. At some point, my rider was ignored and a decision was made to use the “house system”. Ordinarily, Bose would be a suitable system, but not when ceiling mounted. Their ceiling mounted system is excellent for short announcements during a trade show or banquet. Not for entertainment.
The system has multiple inputs that all operate on one channel. Basically, that means that everything plugged into their inputs will operate at the same level. My music input is designed for line, not mic inputs. They had no way of increasing the volume, which effectively removed my musical accompaniment from the program.
The system was also not designed with convenience in mind. The level controls were in another room. It took two staff members to set the level, talking to each other by cell phone. I am not sure what happened between sound check and show time, but the volume changed. (Possibly a result of the ceiling speakers all being connected, but only one room in use.) At show time, the client informed me they had to increase the volume and he wasn’t sure if my level would be correct when I went on-stage.
As a result of this, I take no pride in saying the show suffered. For the expense of renting a top-notch venue it made no sense to me. Trying to save money on the correct audio to make the corporate entertainment successful, cost this client.
The AV staff at the Branson Hilton Convention Center did their best to make the situation work. They too were top notch. Unfortunately there was little they could do with a system that wasn’t designed for the purpose of show entertainment.
I would like to pass along one last thought to event planners considering this venue. Make certain you are aware of any other events that will be taking place around yours. The night of my performance, there was an event happening in the other section of the ballroom. That client had brought in a musical group from one of the Branson theaters. During their sound check, they deafened the room. The “air wall” that separates the ballroom is definitely not sound proof. Luckily, my program was scheduled to end before their entertainment started. Staff told me of several instances where unhappy clients had their meetings drowned out by something happening on the other side of the wall.
Over all, I would have to give the Hilton Convention Center an A+ . It you are looking for a venue that is gorgeous, works hard to make you happy and is conviently located, give them a call. You will be glad you did.
Looking for corporate entertainment for your Branson, MO event? Contact my office now. If I am not the right match for your needs, I am happy to make some recommendations that will help you achieve event success. I look forward to discussing your corporate event ideas.
Corporate Event Entertainment
Hiring a corporate entertainer is always a great way to liven up an event, but what if you could use them more to your advantage? Tom Crowl has come up with 5 powerful ways to use corporate entertainers that will make your event turn out even better than you had planned!
- If you play ambience music during cocktail hours it adds an extra dimension and can make people feel more relaxed. If everyone is at ease conversations flow easier making people more comfortable in the social environment.
- If you use a Caricature Artists it creates customer appreciation and you could even use the pictures for gifts to give to your major clients! It is also a great way to create laughter, which improves everyone’s mood!
- You could hire imposters to convince the audience that they are normal businessmen. Your guests will squirm at the things they say before they realize who they are and that the joke is on them! This is a great way to relax your guests and make them giggle.
- By having Juggling workshops as a team building break-out session during seminars, it can help people escape from the task at hand and then when they return, you will find that they have fresh ideas and an open mind. Breaking up the session with something fun will improve the audience response by making them more energized.
- How about hiring a Magician for your new product launch. They could make your new item appear out of a hat or even disappear into thin air. A business comedian could be great for a product launch to as they could discuss the cool new features and make jokes about how they compare with the competition. This will certainly make your new item more memorable!
If you would like some more information about the powerful ways to use corporate entertainers, or the types of entertainers you could use for your event, contact Tom here or call (410)596-4127 and he will be happy to help.
Corporate Event Entertainment
To help you plan your next function, Tom Crowl has come up with many more entertainment ideas for corporate events to please different groups of people. We have arranged them into 4 categories, Corporate Family Events, Business Entertainment Ideas, Corporate Dinner Entertainment and to top it off some Unique Event Ideas! Have a read and let us know what you think.
Corporate Family Events
How about arranging a family picnic at the local park. This is an inexpensive way of pleasing the relatives and you could introduce a few activities to help make the day fun and enjoyable – it may even turn into a mini Olympics!
Another idea would be to take the family to the local bowling alley followed by some cheap eats at a nearby diner. There are also many classes you can do like cake decorating and pottery – why not make a mess while doing something creative!
Business Entertainment Ideas
When it comes to entertaining your colleagues, it’s always good to think outside the box and do something different. A scavenger hunt can be a lot of fun and could turn out to be a fantastic team building exercise.
A great one would be a “build a business” game where your colleagues get into groups and try to create a business based on a brief you provide. They would need to take account of advertising so you could even ask them to make a small advert to present to the others.
If you don’t mind spending a bit more money, why not take your colleagues to the local cocktail bar where you take a class in cocktail making. There are also other classes you can do like cooking, sushi making and chocolate making. All these can be highly enjoyable!
If you are thinking of treating your colleagues to a nice meal, why not add in some dinner entertainment. There are hundreds of different entertainment companies out there all with unique ideas. You could hire comedians, ventriloquists, singers, imposters and Magicians. You could even ask someone to do a game show with your guests, which may be a great way to involve the audience.
Do you want to provide something that is more interactive? Why don’t you hire a party casino company? You can use fake money and give everyone a fixed amount at the beginning. Whoever has the most by the end of the night is the winner!
It doesn’t matter what you do as long as its professional and well organized your evening will be a success!
Unique Event Ideas
These unique event ideas can work for any group of people. They can be pure fun or work as a team building exercise.
You could speak to a local theatre group to see if they can put together a comedy piece for your evening or even a short pantomime!
A murder mystery evening can be great for the whole family or can be a good laugh for your business colleagues.
Go karting is reasonably priced and a great way of getting away from the office or by entertaining your relatives.
I hope you have enjoyed these entertainment ideas for corporate events. If you are searching for corporate entertainment for your next event, contact Tom Crowl here, or by calling our office at (410)596-4127.
Corporate Event Entertainment
What are the pros and cons of corporate Comedy? Is a good idea to hold a corporate event featuring comedy for your employees? We’d like to share the positives and negatives associated with corporate comedy. Hopefully this will help you decide if it will be right for your company, your event and your guests.
Lets Start With The Pros …
The biggest advantage of corporate comedy is that it is great for your health. “Laughter is the best medicine.” Comedy makes people feel less stressed and more relaxed. Corporate comedy events offer a day away from the office. This relaxation can increase quality of work and productivity. When employees return, they will approach scenarios with a fresh mind and positive attitude.
Another Pro of a corporate comedy event is that your employees will be able to socialise with colleagues outside of the work environment. Approached as a team building experience, a corporate comedy can break down walls. This will improve relationships within the office making a more effective workforce.
Now Onto The Cons …
Corporate comedy can be costly if you don’t watch for hidden expenses. More than a business comedians’ fee, travel, meals and lodging may be required. Be sure to check all contract and production riders too. An unexpected technical expense for the program can blow a budget.
Beware of comedians who aren’t corporate savvy. Your entertainment must understand they are there to represent the company and not just perform their act. The comedian must relate to your audience and event. If they don’t, the performance can easily kill your evening.
Comedy must be presented in the correct atmosphere. At times, the business comedians’ needs may conflict with your event flow. If the staging and seating are not set to create a positive comedy atmosphere, the program can be ruined before it starts. This is the last thing you want! Be sure to discuss the needs of your corporate entertainment with your staff and venue manager. If suitable arrangements can not be made, you may have to make changes or seek another form of entertainment.
How To Avoid Things Going Wrong …
- Make sure you get an all-inclusive quote or at least request estimates and limits for travel expenses. To save money on travel or lodging, book it through your company as sometimes you may receive a corporate discount.
- It is important to request a complete contract rider; this is to ensure that there are no surprise expenses before signing a contract.
- Talk to the comedian at length to determine they understand your event and needs. If they don’t, there will always be someone that does. Also, have a look at the comedians’ videos. If they make you laugh, they should make your guests laugh.
- Lastly, make sure you request information on how the room and seating should be arranged as this will help create a positive performance experience for the audience.
Searching for comedy corporate entertainment for your next event? If you require any further information on the Pros and Cons of corporate comedy, please contact our office. Our no-obligation corporate comedy consultation can help you find the perfect business comedian for your event.
If you haven’t already, be sure to read our post:
Corporate Event Entertainment
Corporate entertainment covers a wide spectrum of possibilities. In this article we refer to corporate entertainment as corporate hospitality events. For information on, performances by corporate entertainers, please click here.
IMPORTANT FACT #1:
Your Event Is Unique!
Corporation and businesses host events to reward, honor, appreciate or educate their staff, shareholders and clients. Events may also raise money for charities. No matter why you hold an event, your function will be unique.
A corporate event planning guide can share organizational techniques to help you design your strategy. Corporate entertainment ideas may help you find corporate entertainers for your function. You may even borrow on a theme or activity from prior or other events. Even with these resources, your event will be different.
Every successful business stands apart from its competition. The occasion will reflect your company’s mission and values. Your guests will consist of advocates for the company’s success. All planning should be designed to reflect the business as it wishes to be represented.
IMPORTANT FACT #2:
Corporate Entertainment Options Are Endless!
There are a variety of ways corporations can utilize events for hospitality purposes. Full service meals can be used as holiday parties, appreciation dinners, awards banquets or convention events. Seminars, outings, golf, sporting events, picnics, summer parties and training days can be used for team building, education or rewards.
From catered meals to a day at the ballpark, clients, staff and shareholders get a chance to unwind, relieve stress and have fun. Your event can be as elaborate as a multi-day conference in another city. Or, as simple as a buffet potluck meal which allows employees to grab a decent meal and donate their lunch money to the company charity.
IMPORTANT FACT #3:
You Must Keep The Message In Focus!
Every corporate event has a reason or message. It is important to keep the message foremost in your mind when planning. It doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be as simple as having fun. Whatever the message, every detail you plan needs to revolve around it if you want to be successful.
When promoting the event to your guests, put the message first. When talking with your staff and entertainment, make certain the message is understood. With everyone on the same page, the event stands a greater chance of success.
Keep these facts about corporate entertainment in mind:
When you begin to design your corporate entertainment event, keep these three important facts in mind. If you have any questions or need help with your event, please contact our office to discuss your event’s goals and vision.
Corporate Event Entertainment
The success of your corporate event hinges on what happens next. All the plates are cleared from the tables and the lights shine onto the stage. The room falls silent. You have hired a corporate entertainer to present the after dinner entertainment. Will the audience like them? Will they deliver as promised? and most importantly, will the boss approve?…
Are you looking to hire an entertainer for a corporate event but don’t know where to start? There are thousands of different types of corporate entertainment companies out there all with different niches, but who should you choose?
Wouldn’t it be great if there was someone out there who could give you tips that could help you deal with the pressures of providing corporate party entertainment – Well lucky for you, that is where we come in.
Tom Crowl has been in the entertainment business for around 30 years. He has put together 5 remedies to help you determine which corporate entertainment company will be best for entertaining your crowd…
Tip One: You must encourage all speakers to plan their speeches, a time limit needs to be followed. Even if it means that they wear a stopwatch, you have to keep track of time. A speaker who wings it or is unprepared tends to go over and you will most likely find that the audience will start falling to sleep. Short and Sweet will save the day!
Tip Two: All entertainers must stay on schedule, nothing irritates people more than an event that overruns. Vendors should be made aware that timing is crucial! Most events never run to schedule and they end up with a fidgeting audience. Don’t ever be afraid to tighten or shorten something to get back on track. Your guests will be pleased and will thank you.
Tip Three: Whatever you do, don’t end with entertainment. After 30 years in this business, I can assure you that events that end with entertainment slowly fizzle because people are conscious of the time. When the rest of the event is over, and entertainment is all that’s left, the babysitter or the morning commute come to mind. The audience begins to drift off, no matter who you have chose to entertain the crowd. Putting your entertainment prior to the speeches and door prizes puts everyone in a great mood and the rest of the evening will sail along smoothly.
Tip Four: Hold door prizes or desert for last. Why? You want to keep the crowd and we all know that everyone loves desert! This will make sure your group stays until the end so your event message can be summed up successfully.
Tip Five: Last but not least, you shouldn’t rely on the same entertainment every year – no matter how well it was received. Bringing the same act back year after year creates a monotony and your attendance will eventually suffer. Keep things fresh. If you liked last year’s entertainment, talk to them for referrals. Consider bringing popular acts back on a three year cycle.
We are sure that if you apply these tips when choosing your next Corporate Entertainment Company, you will most certainly have returning guests each year and a huge round of applause at the end of each event that you hold!
Want more information on selecting successful corporate event entertainment? Contact our office for a no-cost, no-obligation live entertainment consultation.
I would like to pass along one last thought to event planners considering this venue. Make certain you are aware of any other events that will be taking place around yours. The night of my performance, there was an event happening in the other section of the ballroom. That client had brought in a musical group from one of the Branson theaters. During their sound check, they deafened the room. The “air wall” that separates the ballroom is definitely not sound proof. Luckily, my program was scheduled to end before their entertainment started. Staff told me of several instances where unhappy clients had their meetings drowned out by something happening on the other side of the wall.
