Corporate Christmas Party Entertainment Ideas, Corporate Event Entertainment
Many hands make light work. Keep this proverb in mind if you’ve been tasked with planning a corporate Christmas party. You can’t do it by yourself.
Plan The Party:
Form a party planning committee. Work with your employer to come up with a plan to encourage people to join the committee. Can the committee meet on company time, and can refreshments be served during the meeting?
Be Proactive: You’ll want to include people from all departments, if possible, to get a mix of expectations and tastes, as well as keeping petty grievances to a minimum.
Budget:
Plan the venue, food, and entertainment first since this is where you’ll be spending most of your budget. Your plans for all three need to work well together. Does the venue have the sound system and stage your entertainer needs? Will there be a raucous wedding, with a rock band, in the next room that will drown out the magician that you’ve hired? Does the meal need to be complete before the entertainment starts because the entertainer will be interacting with the audience?
Be Proactive: Visit the venue and look at the layout as well as the area that your company will be using. In addition, consider if it will be easy for employees to get to the location.
Don’t assume the restaurant can meet your expectations. Discuss your party ideas with the manager. If you want the meal to be concluded in one hour, the manager can tell you if that is possible.
It’s A Party:
Yes, the company is having a party, and everyone will be in a festive holiday mood and ready to have fun. But with any company event, it’s a good idea to have activities that build camaraderie. You can create team spirit with a mix of Christmas games.
Be Proactive: The entertainment can include some fun team building activities. Consider hiring an entertainer with an interactive show, one in which employees are included.
Decorations:
Decide if Christmas decorations will be used. Employees may be willing to make decorations or donate decorations they no longer use. Remember that decorating can be as simple as creating a fun party atmosphere by adding uplights to cast mood lighting on the walls.
Be Proactive: You don’t want to be stuck with a truckload of decorations after the party. Put a “you win” sign under one chair at each table. That person wins the table centerpiece. Find a home for other decorations, perhaps donating them to a charity after the party.
Gifts:
No one wants another company mug. Give employees a small gift such as a flash drive. It’s gender neutral, practical, and something that most people will use.
Be Proactive: Anticipate the type of gift that makes employees roll their eyes. If the item will have a company logo on it, make it small. Or instead of a logo, give an item that represents the company. If your company manufactures guitars, give everyone a guitar-shaped flash drive.
Prizes:
You’ll need prizes for games, and you may want to award them for other activities. As with the gifts, employees don’t want cheap items with a huge company logo on them. Give something of value that employees will be happy to receive.
Be Proactive: You need to decide how to best spend the money you’ve been given. Would employees rather have chicken to eat and expensive prizes or steak and non-monetary prizes? Most likely, winners would be happy if they could leave work one hour early on a Friday, wear jeans for a week, or park their car in the best spot.
Arrive Early:
Get to the party before other guests to put up decorations, put prizes on a display table and complete any other task that must be done. Decide, when you are planning the party, if you need a few people from the planning committee to help you.
Be Proactive: Make sure the party area will be available when you plan to arrive. If you need 2 hours to set up decorations, you don’t want to find out the hard way that you don’t have access to the area until an hour before the party.
Remember:
You’ll need to decide, possibly with your employer’s input, if it would be best to refer to the company’s party as a “holiday party” instead of a “Christmas party.”
If you are planning your corporate christmas party, contact our office now for a no-obligation corporate entertainment consultation. We can help you plan a party to remember!
Corporate Event Entertainment
How Corporate Entertainment Reduces Stress
Are your employees feeling down? Are they showing signs of stress? Is your team under a lot of pressure to meet deadlines? Well, did you know that recent studies have shown that corporate entertainment reduces stress! Isn’t it amazing to think that just a little laughter every now and then can help you feel better! I think it’s fair to say that “Laughter is the best medicine”, this being said, why not treat your employees to a corporate comedy event?
By having a fun day away from the office, you will instantly see your employees relax and unwind. They will begin to have a more positive attitude and you will most likely find that their productivity and quality of work increases dramatically. Humour is certainly infectious so this means if one employee is having fun, the others will join in! If you treat your employees to a corporate entertainment event, it will take their mind of their troubles and will give them an instant boost, making them more focused and alert when they return to the office environment. Plus I am sure that you could do with some time away from the office too!
Humour changes a person’s perspective on things, so when you have that moment when everything seems as though its falling apart, take a break and watch something that is funny, you are most likely to return with a clearer head and a more positive approach to the situation. Laughter is a powerful tool so you need to use it to your advantage. Life brings challenges that can get the best of you, so why don’t you try to prevent this by treating everyone to a smile.
As you can see, by organizing a corporate event for your colleagues, you will instantly see dramatic improvements in their attitude and work. There doesn’t seem a reason why you shouldn’t be doing it does there?
If you would like to laugh and smile by treating your employees to a fun filled comedy event, contact Tom Crowl for a no obligation corporate entertainment consultation. I guarantee you that it will be one of the best things you have ever done for yourself and your employees. Laugh and Be Happy – It will make you feel amazing on the inside and out!
Corporate Christmas Party Entertainment Ideas, Corporate Event Entertainment
The holidays are getting close and management has decided to give you the stressful task of organizing this year’s corporate Christmas party.
You have never done this before and have no idea where to start! It must go right as a bad corporate Christmas party is never forgotten, and who will be to blame … you.
Lucky for you, corporate comedian Tom Crowl has come up with five tips to help you organize this year’s Christmas Event. If you follow these correctly, this will be a party that the company will never forget!
Company Christmas Party Tips
Tip One – You need to relax. The worst thing you could do is start stressing about the situation, because then things will most likely go wrong. Sit back and take a deep breath, then you can approach this with a clear head.
Tip Two – You need to speak to management about the budget. You don’t want to go and book something that’s going to cost the company a fortune without their prior approval! After all, you don’t want any of this coming out of your own pocket.
Tip Three – Get some help from your colleagues! You can discuss with them where the previous Christmas Parties have been held and get their opinions on each venue. What worked and what didn’t? Which venue did they like best? Try not to pick the exact same venues, but maybe something similar is a good way to go. Also, try not to go for something too far away. You need to provide transport and the further afield you go, the more money it’s going to cost. Keep unnecessary expenditure to a minimum.
Tip Four – Entertainment is key. The worst thing you could do is spend all this time and effort organizing the evening, and then it all gets ruined by some boring entertainer that speaks the whole evening in Monotone! You could hire 2 different entertainment companies. One could be a Magician or a comedian and the other a local music band or DJ. As long as you pick companies with good reviews and mix it up a bit the evening will go off with a bang! If you are hiring a DJ, it may be worth asking your colleagues which type of music they like and then you can make sure that the DJ knows what you would like him to play. There is nothing more embarrassing than when a DJ plays all the latest RAP tunes for 40 – 60 year olds! You want to get everyone up to dance, so they genre of music played is very important!
Tip 5 – You need to order a caterer. It’s a lot less stress for you as all you will need to do is provide them with different food options and they will show up on the day at whichever time you tell them to. Easy! They can then also arrange an array of foods for different cultures.
I think that just about covers the 5 most important things you need to consider when organizing a Corporate Christmas Party.
If you are looking for a no-obligation event consultation, contact Tom at (410)596-4127 and he will be happy to help!
Corporate Event Entertainment
Corporate Entertainers – Can You Really Find The Perfect One?
You are planning an event for a small or mid-sized company. Perhaps it is a corporate christmas party, an award banquet, a sales luncheon, a client appreciation event, a retreat, a conference, a seminar, or a company picnic. Regardless of the nature of the event, the entertainment you choose will set the overall tone and influence the ultimate outcome. Therefore, it is important to follow these four expert guidelines for choosing the perfect corporate entertainers in order to ensure your success.
1. Engagement is Key
Everyone knows that unless you can engage your target audience, the employee workforce, or the imagination of your clients, valuable performance and productivity will be lost. But, when it comes to planning events, many HR departments or managers forget to apply this all-important principle.
Be sure to analyze the engagement factor when selecting your entertainment. Will the audience be involved in an interactive way, for example, that will command their attention and stimulate their imagination? Does the corporate entertainer have the ability to connect on a level that amuses, informs, and inspires? The best entertainment is a kind that is engaging and uplifting on a personal level as well as on a group dynamics level.
2. Know Your Guests
In order to ensure that your guests are fully engaged, you have to know them and understand their preferences and tastes. That is why it is a great idea to solicit their feedback in advance. Otherwise you run the risk of taking the blame if the event does not go well. Involving your target audience ahead of time also heightens their interest and anticipation for the event.
One of the best ways to gain insight is through an email-based survey. You can use inexpensive services like Survey Monkey to make it quick and simple for people to answer your questionnaire. Inquire about their taste in music, about what they watch on TV, and if they enjoy comedy or stand-up entertainment. Taking the pulse of your attendees as you plan virtually guarantees that the entertainment will be well-received.
3. Fresh and Fun
Keep in mind, though, that no matter how good the entertainment may look on paper, it must provide a fresh and fun experience. Just because last year’s entertainment was a big hit, for instance, doesn’t mean that a repeat performance will be equally exciting. Audiences all want change, and people tend to respond in a more memorable way when you surprise them.
Also, try to pick entertainment that triggers laughter so that you know you will have a winner. A great way to gauge how well an act or an entertainer goes over with your crowd is to observe whether or not they laugh. While an audience may politely applaud even if they were not thrilled with the performance, laughter is a much more spontaneous display of feelings.
4. Brand Alignment
Another common pitfall for planners of company events is that they fail to maintain a goal-oriented perspective. Remember that the event – and the entertainment you select – will be a direct reflection upon you, your company, and your organization’s brand and image.
Consider your underlying objectives to make a wise choice. Are you trying to inspire the audience, for instance, or is there a particular core value you want to emphasize? If at all possible, pick corporate entertainment that can be customized to suit your message and your brand. Then you not only get great, fun entertainment, but you strengthen your company’s brand, workplace morale, and overall team spirit.
Contact our office for a no-obligation entertainment consultation to gain additional entertainment ideas for corporate events.
Corporate Christmas Party Entertainment Ideas, Corporate Event Entertainment
Are you looking to plan a Corporate Christmas Party this year but don’t know where to start? We understand that planning such an important event like this can cause a lot of stress. It has to go right. Employees never seem to forget a bad corporate holiday party. Here are the answers to some top FAQs to help make your corporate Christmas party go as planned, have a read below:
How to have a Christmas party and yet respect other beliefs so no one is alienated? It may be a good idea to call it a Holiday party or a Winter party rather than a Christmas party. That way it will encourage everyone to go. Also it may be wise to provide some activities or other forms of entertainment so that people with different beliefs don’t feel pressured to drink alcohol.
Should I have it in the office or contract a venue? This will depend on your company’s needs and budget.
In The Office:
The pros for having it in the office are that people may not feel as much pressure about dressing up. This means you may get more of a turn out. You can bring in lots of food and drink so it won’t cost you too much. Plus you won’t have to add on transport to and from the venue which can save you a great deal too!
The cons are that your employees may think it’s a bit cheap. After all they have worked hard for the year and may feel as though they deserve a proper night out. Also, you will have to deal with all the tidying up the workspace at the end of the night. That creates a long night for the holiday party planning team.
For great tips on decorating the office for an office Christmas party, check out the Savvy Event Planner Podcast interview with my wife, Dierdre. She planned an in office party that amazed everyone. You can find the interview at: http://SavvyEventPodcast.com/episode1 An accompanying article includes pictures of the office transformation.
Using An Outside Venue:
The pros for contracting a venue are that it’s a night away from the office to let your hair down. People may feel more at ease socializing away from work. It’s also a nice treat for your employees, showing them that you have really made an effort.
The cons are that the night is going to cost you a small fortune. By the time you pay for the venue hire, food, drinks and transport it will turn out to be an extremely expensive night. Also you may find that more people will drop out due to personal commitments where if you have it at the office, those people can always stay for just an hour after work.
Should alcohol be served? Again, it depends on your company’s beliefs and image. You could provide “some” alcohol or if you are holding the corporate Christmas Party at a contracted venue maybe put some money behind the bar. This way once the alcohol or the money runs out, people will have to pay for their own which they may feel reluctant to do and therefore shouldn’t get too drunk. At the same time you have shown that you are willing to supply some and aren’t a complete bah humbug!
We have a tight budget, what are some options? Social hour with appetizers may fit the budget and make people feel appreciated. Another option would be a long lunch break with a meal and a few drinks.
Is corporate Christmas party entertainment needed? The right corporate entertainment can put your guests in a relaxed atmosphere and reduce workplace stress. It is a positive way to show employees they are valued. Entertainment is often the most memorable part of any event – so budgeting for a quality program provides a lasting impression. For smaller budgets, consider less expensive options, including employee talents or DJ’s. Just be aware entertainment quality will impact your event.
Should we provide corporate gifts? Gifting during the holidays is a common practice. The gift could be a bonus, or the party itself. Talk with management as gifting may come from a different budget!
I hope these FAQs have helped you with your corporate Christmas party planning. For addition corporate christmas party entertainment ideas, or if you have any further questions, please contact Tom Crowl’s office. He is happy to help you locate the perfect office party entertainment.
Corporate Event Entertainment
Have Corporate Entertainment Problems?
Planning a corporate event can be a monumental undertaking that can frustrate even the most efficient person. Events have many aspects to them including sending invitations, arranging speakers, awards, ordering food and drink, structuring the program, and securing the venue. The one thing that should not be a headache is finding the appropriate entertainment. This article will help you to solve your corporate entertainment problems before they begin.
It can be a daunting task to find the right entertainment for your corporate event, particularly if the audience varies widely in age, the entertainer must adhere to strict corporate policies or the act requires brand integration into the message. Those things can be difficult to tailor when hiring a band, DJ, or juggler. The exact right answer to hiring appropriate entertainment may be something you have never considered – a ventriloquist.
Ventriloquists can be a popular form of clean comedy. They can deliver audience appropriate humor that may be easily altered to include brand messaging or perhaps just some industry-relevant information. Additionally, ventriloquists do not require elaborate stages or equipment, putting less strain on the organizer.
Tom Crowl is a ventriloquist with over 30 years of experience working in every environment imaginable from colleges to festivals, theaters to major corporate events for Coca-Cola and others. He provides us with some tips for planning your corporate entertainment:
- Decide what types of entertainment would best serve the event and attendees. It is best to seek input from others in the company (e.g., management) before making any solid decisions.
- Make a list of types of audience appropriate entertainment. What best suits your event? Consider the location, length of time the performer is expected to entertain, need for special material, etc.
- Speak with colleagues and fellow organizers to find what has worked for them in the past. However, keep in mind that people usually don’t want the same entertainment year after year.
- Speak to possible entertainment candidates to gain information about material, costs, additional fees and requirements. Must the company supply, food, travel or lodging? Are there any special riders on the contract? Will the entertainer be able to accommodate any special requests
- Check references. References from previous clients are a great way to tell if the entertainer can deliver. Additionally, consider auditioning entertainers, seeing a performance beforehand or viewing video to ascertain the quality of the entertainment. If all is well, prepare a contract.
We know that ventriloquism might not be suitable for every event. Never fear! Even if you are seeking something different, Tom can be called upon as a consultant to help you solve your corporate entertainment problems. Tom will find exactly the right fit for your event – at no charge. Don’t risk a corporate fiasco. Contact Tom now.
