Choosing the perfect corporate entertainment

Corporate events can be complicated to organise. That’s because you need to consider all of your logistics through the perspective of your company brand. While the logistics themselves (e.g. your venue choice, date, format) may be straightforward, corporate event planning teams often have to consider the needs and opinions of many different delegates and stakeholders – from senior board members to paying delegates.

We know that the success of your next event may depend on your choice of entertainment. That’s why we’ve pulled together a handy guide to help you figure out what you should be looking for to make your next event a smash hit. From helping you understand what type of entertainment you should be looking for to suggestions on budgets, we’ve got you covered.

Of course, if you’re short on time, then as experienced event planners, we can handle all of your event planning for you from start to finish.

But if you’re searching for a resource that helps you find an entertainment fix that resonates with your audience and aligns with your event objectives, then keep reading!

All choices come back to your audience.

While you can make all of the decisions based on your personal preferences for birthdays, weddings and other celebrations, corporate events rely on a more collaborative effort.

At the heart of every decision you make, you need to come back to your audience. This is critical from an entertainment perspective where the wrong choice of compere or performer could inadvertently offend your guests or cause issues with your brand reputation.

Before you begin your search for a musical guest, comedian or celebrity host, we recommend mapping out the following –

– Audience demographics: This can encompass the average age, gender, or professional background of your guests.

– Common interests: Will you be aiming towards a professional audience in a specific sector, or are you open to the general public? Are there any particular topics or subjects that your audience may relate to?

– Company culture: Your event should replicate the general ethos and culture of your business. If you’re known for being sustainable and environmentally friendly, your event should follow suit. Similarly, if you have a brand reputation for being “edgy”, you may be more likely to get away with hiring entertainment that is considered risqué.

Once you’ve completed the audience mapping, you’ll have a much stronger idea of who would or wouldn’t be appropriate to entertain your guests.

Your budget will make or break your event

As with any event, your budget will have a significant impact on what you are trying to achieve.

When you first start allocating your budget towards your entertainment, you may be overwhelmed by some of the prices that you see. Those budgets are often broken down into many different subcategories, such as travel expenses, accommodation and technical requirements.

For example, if you’re hosting an event in Devon, you may need to pay travel expenses from London. Or if you’re searching for a band to perform, they may need greater technical support than a comedian.

One of the reasons why businesses rely on Inspired Occasions to organise their corporate events is because we can negotiate with many of our suppliers. We can maximise your value for money and ensure that your event remains on budget, with maximum entertainment for your guests.

Fame vs expertise – the tricky balance

Everyone loves to attend an event where they know the headline act; that may be a renowned TV presenter as a host, a comedian as an after-dinner speaker or a famous singer as the musical act.

There are pros and cons to hiring recognisable names.

It’s essential to remain engaged with your event objectives – if you’re trying to raise money for a charity, spending £££ on a celebrity guest could be seen as a misuse of funds.

– Pros: If you’re relying on external ticket sales, a name can be a great way of getting bums on seats. Recognisable people will be professional and will know how to stick to strict timings and remain on message throughout the night. They can also help with any promotional activity and create a memorable night for your guests.

– Cons: The expense may not be justified. If your event is on a specific topic relating to your industry, you may be better suited to having keynote speakers or a compere that has a deep understanding of your topic.

Your entertainment needs to be tailored to your event

We always recommend being open to suggestions and ideas during your research phase. You may have thought that you need a musical tribute act, but an up-and-coming comedian could be just as effective.

Ideally, you want to have an entertainment guest who will work with you and your organising team to put the best interests of the event first. When you can collaborate with your act (whether it’s discussing set lists or talking about comedic boundaries), you’ll have greater trust that your event will go off without a hitch.

Starting your search shouldn’t be overwhelming

So, you’ve identified your audience’s needs and expectations. You know how much you’re prepared to spend, and you know how you want to collaborate with your chosen act.

What now?

Well, your research is easier than you think. There are many opportunities to find the perfect entertainment, from dedicated talent agencies to personal referrals and recommendations.

Let’s take a closer look.

– Referrals: Networking and recommendations from colleagues can be invaluable. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your contacts on LinkedIn or search through similar events to see what entertainment they’ve had on offer.

– Talent agencies: These agencies represent a wide range of performers, from comedians to keynote speakers. They will handle everything from date availability to talent recommendations based on your budget. When you’ve chosen your suggestion, the talent agency will negotiate the finer contractual details. We like to work with reputable talent teams like The Entertainment Fixers.

– Industry associations: If you need someone with sector-specific expertise, don’t hesitate to reach out to professional bodies who may be able to suggest influential figures.

Need help selecting the perfect entertainment for your corporate event?

If you need any additional help or support to maximise your next corporate event, please get in touch. We can help you find the perfect speaker or musical guest.

From the outset, we’ll help you figure out how you can maximise your budget while matching you to an entertainment guest that suits your event.

To get started, all you need to do is pick up the phone and give us a call!

Alternatively, if you need any inspiration, why not head over to our Instagram or Facebook page.