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You may have amazing speakers, an impressive event agenda, and a strong event brand, but there’s another element that you can’t forget when putting together your next corporate event: making it entertaining and enjoyable!
As companies prepare to bring employees back in person (at least for a little fun), pressure is high to make the experience a memorable one. But where do you start?
In this post, we’ll cover creative corporate event entertainment ideas to help you deliver an experience that your employees and attendees will never forget. Whether your event is in-person or powered by virtual event software, the entertainment you decide to showcase can make or break the experience of your attendees.
If the entertainment falls flat, your attendees will — at best — be less engaged and — at worst — think your event is not worth their time. On the other hand, if your entertainment is a hit it will win the hearts of your attendees and keep them talking about the event well after it’s over.
Learn some of our Key suggestions for effective corporate entertainment that will surely help you or your organization when planning for your next function.
1. Focus on Creating Immersive Experiences: We live in a time where experiences are more highly valued than ever before. This is why experiential marketing is seeing a surge in popularity – with escape rooms, pop-ups, and more showing up everywhere. Studies have found that 72% of millennials prefer to spend more money on experiences rather than on material things. People want to be involved in the experience, so why not take this knowledge and use it to make your event entertainment even more memorable? Not only will it make your event stand out, but it will also add value that your attendees will appreciate.
2. Keep an Eye on the Budget: Entertainment can be costly. That’s why it’s important to create an event budget before booking any entertainment. Be sure to take into account the costs of the entertainers and any other supporting elements they may need. For example, an aerial artist may require a structure they can perform from, complete with lighting and speakers. A live band may need a stage, lighting, and sound equipment. These supporting elements are not always provided by the entertainer, so be sure to check what is included when booking your event entertainment. This will help you to avoid any unwelcome surprises when it comes to the budget.
3. Stick to Your Event Goals: It can be tempting to get carried away with the latest trends when it comes to entertainment, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good idea. Always consider your event goals. Why are you having the event in the first place? Everything from food to entertainment should support your overarching event objectives. Just because an entertainment idea sounds cool doesn’t mean it will fit into your event’s overall concept.
4. Remember Your Audience: When planning your event’s entertainment, it’s important to think about the audience. Find out what they are doing before the entertainment is scheduled, and what their demographic profile is like. Sending out pre-event surveys and looking at the analytics of previous events in your event software will help you to determine what your attendees want.
If your attendees are likely to have been sitting in breakout sessions all day, they may not want to sit down and watch a performance for an hour. In this case, something more interactive that allows them to move around may be more successful. If they have just been training in the latest fitness techniques, they might appreciate the chance to sit down and enjoy a show. Keeping in mind what the attendee has on their schedule before and after your entertainment will give you a much better chance of making it a huge success.
Escape rooms are all the rage right now, and they make for a great way to incorporate entertainment into your events. Tailor the theme of the escape room to match the theme of your conference or event, and you’ll provide people with an interactive opportunity to work together and bond as a team.
Put the attendees at the center of the event entertainment by incorporating a Catchbox. A throwable microphone, the Catchbox adds excitement and interest to Q&A sessions and can liven up a typical structure. Instead of it taking forever to pass the mic around the audience, they can interact and throw the microphone around the room for a more engaging experience.
Augmented Reality (AR) has been a huge success, and you can leverage this trend for your corporate event entertainment. Create a scavenger hunt for different items and use AR to bring fantasy into real surroundings. ARVR Tech creates custom augmented reality applications for events spanning everything from scavenger hunts to training simulations, so you can create an immersive experience for your attendees.
Virtual Reality (VR) is also a great way to completely immerse attendees in an event. Use this type of entertainment for engaging training sessions, or create a “hands-on” experience they otherwise would not have been able to experience. You can use this to create an incredibly engaging experience for your attendees.
Live bands are a classic form of entertainment that never fails to deliver. Big names can bring buzz – as seen with any of our South African Bands. You don’t have to break the bank to get great entertainment. Consider local SA bands or even your attendees themselves to add some live music to your event.
African entertainment for corporate events is an excellent way to add a cultural touch to any corporate event. With a wide range of performances available, including traditional and modern African music, dance, drumming, spoken word, and more, African entertainment can bring a unique and memorable experience to any gathering. From vibrant and energetic performances to calming and peaceful pieces, African entertainment for corporate events can create a lively atmosphere that will leave an impression on guests. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a large-scale celebration, African entertainment can be tailored to suit any size or type of event, providing guests with an unforgettable experience and making it a night to remember.
Live DJ for your next corporate event is an excellent way to create a memorable and engaging atmosphere. Professional DJs are experienced in providing the right music to suit the event, as well as being able to keep the energy and atmosphere going throughout the event. Depending on the size of the event, and the atmosphere you are looking to create, a live DJ can provide a range of music from up-tempo dance tracks to more ambient and relaxed tunes. A professional DJ will be able to read the crowd, ensuring that the music is appropriate and that the event is running smoothly. Furthermore, a live DJ can also provide a range of audio and visual effects to add to the atmosphere of the event, creating an experience that your guests will never forget
Finding the right singers for your next corporate event can make all the difference. Quality, professional singing can set the tone for the entire event, creating a positive atmosphere and ensuring your guests have an enjoyable experience.
When selecting singers for a corporate event, it’s important to consider the type of music that will be performed. A good singer should be able to adapt their vocal style and volume to fit the atmosphere of the event. For example, if the event is a formal dinner, you may want to choose singers who specialize in jazz standards or classic rock ballads. If the event is a more casual affair, then a wider range of music genres may be suitable.
It’s also important to consider the musical abilities of the singers. Ideally, you should choose singers with strong vocal ranges, good pitch, and the ability to read music. Additionally, selecting singers who have experience performing at corporate events can be beneficial, as they will already understand the type of atmosphere and behavior expected of them.Finally, you should take into account the professionalism of the singers. Quality singing is only half the battle; it’s also important that the singers present themselves in a professional manner. This includes having a good attitude, dressing appropriately for the occasion, and being on time and prepared for the performance. By selecting the right singers for your next corporate event, you can be sure that your guests will enjoy a memorable musical experience.
We hope these corporate event entertainment ideas have given you the inspiration you need to plan your next event. Here’s a quick recap of some of the takeaways we’ve covered:
Consider what your audience wants. Validate your entertainment selection with pre-event surveys.
At the end of the day, your entertainment should tie back to your event brand and, by extension, your event goals.
Keep your event budget in mind. How much will entertainment cost? Are there any hidden fees? Can you negotiate?
Alongside the entertainment you provide, the event software features you use to power your event will also make an impression on your audience. We recommend checking out the below report for an objective comparison of leading solutions.
