Your company is having an event and you have been delegated to be the party organiser. You want it to be a night to remember – but for the right reasons, so how do you book an appropriate act to ensure an eventful evening?
Firstly, take a look at your team and company. Are they sombre types or are they outgoing? Do the grey suits come off and the disco shirts come on after they have had a few? If, they are the former, it might be advisable to avoid booking acts that require high levels of audience interaction and participation. Nothing worse than that sinking feeling which comes when a shy participant refuses to play ball – or with whatever toy or apparatus is thrown at them. If you know your team and know that they like to have fun, then go for the most outrageous act you can. There are loads out there to choose from.
It might be worthwhile having a quick word with your boss. Do they want to maintain the professional reputation of their company or do they enjoy getting down with the rest of them? Does the boss want the team to be dazzled by magic, laugh at a comedy act, reflect on the year ahead by listening to a specialist, or put on a day glo wig, flares and go back to the seventies?
Think of the brand and values of your company. In these austere times it may be unwise to be seen putting on a lavish bash and hiring expensive acts, especially if you work in the financial or social welfare sector. Acts that specifically go against how your company is perceived are a no no: do not book dancing dogs if your work for an animal welfare charity, no matter how cute and happy they look.
Why not do a quick survey with your team and establish if they want to laugh, to dance or to be entertained? The theatre, cabaret and live act circuit is full of unusual and exciting acts that are better experienced live rather than passively stared at on the box. Indeed, some acts only work live so the audience can see there really are no hidden wires or trickery involved in the performance.
Variety acts are currently hugely popular company bookings. Fire eaters, illusionists, sword swallowers can make your event memorable. If you are booking an after dinner event, why not go for a hypnotist, mind reader or illusionist? Cards appear from nowhere, secrets might be revealed, under hypnosis, your company might unleash talent that it didn’t even know it had! So think before booking, and then pick an act, any act…
Steve Hulmes is a professional blogger and stand-up comedian. Steve is regularly found blogging on corporate entertainment ideas.
Great post – my sister has a big corporate party to plan and she is leaning to a hypnotist. They are a fun bunch but I worry things could get ugly… I will pass along the article.