Welcome back to our in-depth analysis of event planning. This week we are going to delve into the entertainment options available to you as you plan your event.
Any given event has certain needs specific to its audience. If this is a company picnic or party, these might include social activities which encourage employees to mix and mingle, or performances which involve the audience such as hypnotists or magicians. For family reunions or weddings, this might be as simple as providing music and a dance floor.
The array of options available can be staggering, so I’m aiming to help you navigate the world of event entertainment as simply as possible. This week I’m going to cover the major options which are usually available, and next week I’ll go into more detail on how to choose which company/companies to go with.
Activities/Amusement
Hypnotists/Magicians/Comedians
A good entertainer can liven up a party like nothing else can. Many times, these professionals are hired for during or just after dinner, while your guests are unlikely to be able to mix and mingle. Depending on your group, this can be a very fun option. Be certain, however, that the entertainer in question will maintain an appropriate level of conduct for your gathering, as these can be risqué at times.
Casino Parties
A good casino company can add a lot to a gathering. They involve your guests, allow them to interact, and provide a way to handle prizes. Also, it allows your guests to have the thrill of gambling without losing real money. The one thing to make sure of if you would like a casino at your party is that your local laws allow it. Many localities ban any form of gaming, even without real money being involved.
Inflatables
If you are having a party for families with children, having a means for the children to occupy themselves is a great way to allow the adults to interact. This covers an array of options from bounce houses to slides, giant obstacle courses, sumo suits, etc. This is not limited to children, either. Some inflatables are designed for use by full size kids of all ages as well. This is a great way to lend a carnival atmosphere to an event.
Karaoke
People like to perform. Some are good at it, some are not. And regardless of which you are, people enjoy karaoke. This is a great option for later in the evening.
Game Shows
Again, an interactive form of entertainment which can be customized to your company. Since you probably can only handle a limited number of contestants, this might not work for prize handling, but the great thing is that you can customize the game with company trivia.
Music/Dancing
iPod/Boombox
You won’t hear many event professionals recommending this option, for obvious business reasons, but it does have its place. If you want complete control over your playlist, aren’t particularly interested in filling a dance floor for an evening, and your primary interest is background music, this is a good choice. An iPod (or any other MP3 player) has an obvious boost over a cd player because of the number of songs it can play. Keep in mind that you should set your playlist up prior to the event; and while you can shuffle your songlist to add some variety, you’ll have problems if you want to change the song that’s playing at any given time (or add a song that is not in the list).
Laptop
Apple has really simplified the process of providing music. iTunes (and other players, such as WinAmp) has a number of features which add a step above the previous option. When you have your music library at the click of a mouse, you can drop in music anytime you want it, and reorganize your playlists on the fly. The downside? You have to keep an eye on your laptop, and someone familiar with the software needs to take time away from enjoying the event to make changes.
DJ
A good DJ brings extensive knowledge to the table. They understand the music, and they understand how to get people involved with the music. In addition, the DJ will usually double as the Master of Ceremonies for events. They coordinate with the catering and venue staff, as well as with photographers and any other professionals present, to make your event run as smoothly as possible. If you want your guests to dance the night away, a DJ is a great option.
Live Band
In certain cases, a live band can bring energy to an event that is not possible otherwise. However, they are not suitable for everything. Make sure if you have a band that they either cater to the tastes of your guests, or have a wide enough range of music to satisfy everyone.
What it all means
Event Entertainment is a large subject that you can write entire books on. This is just a small sampling of the available options. The most important factor to consider as you plan is “will your guests have fun.” One of the most common mistakes inexperienced event planners make is to consider their own interests and ignore the interests of the guests. A good way to avoid this is to find what has worked previously, if this is a recurring event, or to ask other people who have planned similar events to share their experiences with vendors and entertainment.
What are some of your experiences with event entertainment?
DJ Jay-Dub
Entertainment Team
The Event Entertainment Experts
Event Planning 101
- Overview
- The Guestlist
- The Venue, Part 1 – Initial Considerations
- The Venue, Part 2 – Location Choices
- The Entertainment
- The Documentation – Coming Soon
- The Food – Coming Soon
- The Decoration – Coming Soon
- The Details – Coming Soon
0 Responses
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.