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I did this really cool gig last week.

It was a trade show in downtown Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the Ontario Long Term Care Association. Normally when a magician performs at a trade show, he/she is hired to work for a client in a booth and to attract delegates to the booth so that the client can sell their wares.

It’s a high speed, sometimes high stress, but equally high paying job.

And a lot of fun.

Such was not the case last week. I was hired not by a corporation but rather by the trade show event coordinator themselves to perform for the delegates as they passed by MY booth. I was in the very first booth (of about 300) and all I had to do was entertain whoever wanted to stop by for about 5 minutes. There was no pitch, no sales, just magic.

And they had a lot of fun. Check out the two videos here and you will see.

Recently at the Charles W. Stockey Centre and at the Chatham Capitol Theatre I had performed my magic, mind reading and illusion show to nearly 1000 audience members.

There is a routine in the show where I give away “Millions of Dollars in Cash and Prizes – or Less!” There isn’t any prearrangement and even I don’t really know if the person is going to win – until they do!

I’ve given away lottery tickets, movie passes, admissions to museums, theatre vouchors – anything at all and it is the highlight of the evening, at least for one lucky audience member!

With top-tier clients like Deerhurst Resort, 3M Canada and Global Spectrum, London,Ontario based corporate magician and television personality, Peter Mennie has become one of the busiest national magic and mind reading entertainment professionals working across Canada today. After twelve television specials, two series, co-hosting a top-rated local talk show and performing between 250-300 shows annually, he has become an expert at giving your special event audience a performance that will likely be the most engaging, funny and brilliant ‘Mind Illusion’ show they will see all year!

Schedule The Entertainer Immediately After A Break

The room is pumped. The most-popular, hardest-working guy or gal in the company has just received his well-deserved award from the CEO and the energy in the room is at its peak. Whatever you do, don’t harness the audience’s energy by immediately introducing to the stage the entertainer you’ve budgeted a sizable sum to procure. Instead, have the CEO, emcee or whoever has the floor to announce a break “of about 15 minutes”. That should be enough time for the room to deflate, the energy vanish and allow the stragglers to head back into the room and settle into their seats while chatting with their fellow fellow employees about golf plans for the following weekend.

Seat The Audience At Round Banquet Tables

For the love of God, you’re not going to ensure that all the seats in the audience are facing the stage, are you? No, no, no. When an entertainer walks on stage you want roughly half the audience facing the back of the room. That way more people will be able to tell when the line for the open bar is down to only a few people. You might also consider leaving the doors in the back of the room open, allowing those seated with their backs to the stage to “people watch” the smokers, stragglers and maybe even catch a glimpse of that woman from the coat check with the ineffable aura about her. Ideally, you want these people who face the back of the room to be completely unaware of what is going on on the stage. Think muzak.

Serve Food During The Show

When a world-class comedy entertainer and a mediocre salad go head to head, the salad wins every time. Anything requiring utensils is best – after all, people are capable of enjoying a comedian with finger food like popcorn just as they are capable of enjoying a movie. Of course, it never hurts to have hard-working servers bustling from table to table pouring water, grinding pepper and sending that steak back to the kitchen until it’s done right.

Arrange For A Large, Empty Space Between The Stage And The Front Row

Nothing is more conducive to an attentive, engaged audience like seating them as close to the stage as possible. There’s an intimacy to this seating arrangement that mimics the openness and rapport of an private conversation. This is why you want a large empty space surrounding the stage. Many venues place a small stage against the wall of a large banquet hall and surround it with a large, empty dance floor: this is the ideal way to ensure your money and reputation go to waste. Nothing sends the the audience the signal “You have nothing to do with this performance” quite like seating everyone no less than a metric mile of the edge of the stage. This way audience members can chat with each other throughout the show while feeling – wrongly – that it has no impact on the overall performance.

The above are just a few basic, feng-shui examples of how to ruin the entertainment portion of your event. The truth is, there are almost as many ways to ruin it as there are second-rate entertainers to ruin it for you.

What’s great is that they like everything you do and you can do almost any kind of magic. Except card tricks! Why?

Because most of the time they can’t remember what card they chose!

And you have to do a lot of audience participation – that’s what the activity directors want – but most of the time the participation is in the audience bacause they can’t come up to the front easily.

But thank you to the staff and residents on Charlotte Villa in Brantford for your wonderful hospitality on a cold, January afternoon!

The first time was actually in 2003 when I was hired to ‘babysit’ 15 kids while their parents were downstairs in the banquet hall. A week before the resort called in a panic because more families than expected had booked downstairs and they wanted me to entertain everyone. Bonus! The next year they had both of their banquet halls booked full with families and staggered the seating so we could perform in one hall and then have time to set-up and perform in the second hall.

It was busy and a blast!

Then four years ago they asked me back to produce a full, multi-act show in the main ballroom. It was a three act show with special guests Yvette and her Puppet Friends, juggler Vaudeville Steve and myself. Both Yvette and my wife were sick that year so New Years was pizza and bed by 12:05.

The following year we were back with Doug the Great as our special guest and last year, it was just us for the full show.

This year they didn’t want a stage show at all. They wanted strolling – a trend I have seen increasing of late. So, besides me, I brought Yvette Locke back up along with Bill Nuvo. The three of us worked the room for two hours until the music got too loud to preform over.

We were done by 9:30pm (but still in bed by 12:30!).

I guess we’re getting old.

A corporate event is the accepted way to show appreciation to either staff or clients, to provide an opportunity for your guests to get to know each other personally, and to create an unforgettable memory that your guests will not only remember fondly but also feel compelled to tell their friends and family. Company functions should be considered a marketing opportunity since the success of your event can directly relate to the success of your business: perhaps this why event co-ordinators are normally very nervous or stressed out during the planning stages of the function!

The key to a successful event is to ensure that your guests shared experience that is so fun, so personal and so completely unforgettable that they talk about your party for a long, long time afterwards. That’s why it’s so important to focus your attention on providing a comfortable environment to get your guests relaxed, talking to each other and laughing as quickly as possible! Be careful! Many event co-ordinators make the mistake of spending too much attention, time and money organising things that are not going to make a considerable difference in making the function memorable.

Stop for a moment and think about the last corporate event you attended that you really enjoyed. Can you recall the venue and, if you can, was the venue the most important or memorable thing about the party? Was it the food? The drinks? I going to guess and say the most memorable thing about the entire event was how much you enjoyed the company of your friends around the table and possibly how much you talked and laughed, right?

So it’s not how elaborate the venue is, how ‘inventive’ the cuisine is, or how much there is to drink that defines the success of your event. Yes, these things are still very important to ‘spark’ the kind of spirited atmosphere your guests need to have a great time – but I’m sure you have attended parties, both private and corporate, that were very simple but that were still tremendous amounts of fun! A successful event is one where your guests are quickly able to create lively conversation that is fun and gets them relaxed and comfortable.

So, how do you ‘break the ice’ so that your guests are keen to share an experience that creates this required level of personal interaction? In my experience, working with professional event entertainers can be instrumental in creating the kind of atmosphere that will directly contribute your event’s success! By working with a performer who is dedicated to keeping your guests laughing, talking and relaxed, you will have the opportunity to sit down and also take part in the festivities. The benefits of working with an entertainer who is a corporate event specialist far outweigh the potential problems you may encounter and need to deal with if you choose the ‘cheapest’ entertainment, or take on all the responsibility of interacting with the guests yourself.

Selecting and hiring professional entertainment can be quite daunting, particularly if you do not have a plan or enough information available. How do you know if the entertainment will be value-for-money? What if it’s inappropriate or the entertainment doesn’t arrive? Selecting and hiring the right entertainment to ensure your event is a success can actually be very simple and easy.

Here are a few tips and suggestions to help you choose the right entertainment for your event:

Have a plan for your event — even if it’s a rough plan.

You must have a plan for your event – otherwise how will you know what you are trying to achieve? Your plan should include the following information:

► Date and time for your event
► Venue
► Theme
► Rough budget (including allowing for at least 10% extra)
► Timeline
► Notes and special requests

Start looking for entertainment options when you start your event planning.

There are several good reasons for this: you can check if your choice of entertainer is available, advance bookings are often discounted, or you can create a theme that matches the entertainment. The success of an event depends heavily on the quality of entertainment, yet many planners make the mistake of leave this important aspect to the last minute!

Decide how important it is for your guests to interact with the entertainment.

Do you want an entertainer that incorporates every guest into the performance, or do you want ‘background’ or ‘atmospheric’ entertainment? Remember, since we can agree that interactivity is very important to create conversation, consider if you really need something that your audience will forget about after a few minutes.

Be prepared to have several alternatives available.

If your requested entertainers are not available, ask them who they recommend. Professional performers will know other entertainers who would be suitable for your event, and be able to give you suggestions and their recommendations.

Credible and qualified entertainers will offer you testimonials and referral letters.

Find these letters on your entertainer’s website and do a web search (e.g. Google their name) to find any additional positive or negative comments. Taking a moment to read through your prospective entertainer’s list of previous clients gives you the best indication of the level of experience your entertainer has, and do not hesitate to call previous clients to ask them for a personal recommendation. Ask your friends and colleagues if they have recently seen an entertainer who they would recommend. Just doing this can save you a lot of time, money and trouble in the long run!

Consider whether the entertainment is going to be suitable and appropriate for your guests.

Not everyone enjoys listening to hip-hop, has the same tolerance for ‘risqué’ humour, or wants to see an inexperienced or unskilled performer struggle and ‘die’ on stage! Establish your company’s accepted policies with your performer very early in your enquiry process. If you need to short-list your entertainment, why not select entertainers that are certain to help you be remembered for all the right reasons? Nobody wants their guests to tell their friends how rude or boring your entertainer was, and this can be prevented if you chose the right performer.

How your prospective entertainer treats you will be a great indication how he or she will treat your guests.

When meeting with your entertainer, ask as many questions as you like – do not hesitate to make specific requests, since your performer is going to representing your company to your guests. If you feel that the entertainer doesn’t care about you or your event, you’re probably right. Keep looking around until you find someone you really feel comfortable with.

If you know what qualities you’re looking for then selecting and booking the right entertainment for your event or function can a lot of fun! You’ll be interacting with interesting personalities who love to laugh, are passionate about their work and who are eager to be in front of an audience. So when you’ve confirmed the right person for your event, you will not only relax — knowing that you’ll be working with a professional — but you’ll be certain to have just as much fun as your guests. You also deserve the type of event that you will remember and talk about for a long, long time! Just remember – aim to make your event fun, personal and unforgettable and you can be sure that your event will be talked about for a long, long time afterwards.

Why should things be any different in the entertainment industry? Remember that when your company hosts an event or function, everything about that party creates an impression on your clients and customers. That means that if you are considering bringing in an entertainer, that person (or group) can influence how your clients (or prospective clients) feel about doing business with you.

Even if the event is an internal one, like a year-end ‘staff appreciation’ party, what message do you send if you use an amateur performer? Or a performance that is offensive? Or just plain inappropriate? I’d go as far as to suggest that if you’re considering hiring the ‘cheapest’ entertainer you can, then you should save the money and give your staff a small cash bonus – they’ll appreciate that more than having to sit through bad entertainment.

The fact is, a good entertainer is going to cost you – but how do you know that he or she is going to be valueable?

Let’s assume you want to use the services of a performer or entertainer who is ‘worth it’ – what should you look out for?

Here are some key indicators that the entertainer you’re considering will deliver professional, consistent and reliable service:

• The entertainer is a full-time performer. In order to make a living in the entertainment world (especially in Canada), you need to be consistently performing and working. A part-time performer may not be able to give you 100% commitment, or may not have enough enquiries to keep working. However, I know several professional entertainers who choose to have a full-time job in a different industry – this does not mean they’re not fantastic!
• The entertainer has an extensive list of corporate clients. If the performer is good, he or she will keep getting referrals and will continue to work for big companies.
• The entertainer has a collection of testimonial letters. A true professional asks his clients to send feedback. The fact that a client has taken the time to put a recommendation on paper proves that they found the performance to be (at least) satisfactory.
• The entertainer’s marketing material is up-to-date. You should be able to watch videos and see photographs to get a good sense of what the performance is like. Expect to receive brochures or ‘one sheets’ with updated biographical information, recent clients, comments and feedback. Also, is their website up-to-date, and is it comprehensive?
• The entertainer belongs to professional industry associations. Association membership indicates that he/she wishes to grow and improve their business or standing within the industry. Examples are the Canadian Association of Magicians and the Performer’s Marketing Association of Ontario
• The performer is willing to recommend other professional entertainers. There are some cases when the performer you’ve contacted is not the right fit for your event or perhaps they are unavailable on that date. Professional entertainers will gladly recommend their colleagues who may be a better fit and may be available simply because they truly want your event to be a success. There is no competition when it comes to the needs of a client. I quite often refer clients to colleagues like Timothy Drake, Yvette Locke, Ryan Joyce or Steve Seguin because I am unable to fulfill their needs.
• The performer has a good contract. Because an entertainer can make or break an event, how can you ensure that you are protected against injuries, damage or even if he or she doesn’t show up? The contract is most important as it covers the details of your agreement. Be concerned if the performer does not, at least, send you a document with the terms of your agreement. Ask if the entertainer offers you a “money back” satisfaction guarantee and if they are insured?
• “The Devil’s in the details”. Are your calls returned? Do you receive prompt replies to emails? Does the marketing material give you a sense of confidence? Does the entertainer really understand your needs and answer your questions? Do you get a sense of confidence? A large component of your decision will come down to your ‘gut feeling’!

In my experience of working with first-time clients who rarely hire entertainment, they’re often surprised that it takes a little bit of time to make the right decision. However, there is absolutely no doubt that if you work with an enthusiastic and committed professional entertainer that people will remember how much they enjoyed your event and thank you for choosing the perfect corporate event entertainment!

He was expensive, sure, but he was at the top of his field because he could get the job done! He was valuable.

And it makes sense. Who do you value more, a contractor who has to refer to the manual everytime he or she goes to a new jobsite? Which would you prefer to wear to that career interview, the Armani Suit or the latest ‘fashion trend’ from Wal-Mart? And what do you do with that dollar store widget that breaks in the middle of using it the first time? You throw it away! You don’t go back to the Dollarama to return it. It was only a dollar. It wasn’t valuable enough.

The same can be applied to entertainers. Professional entertainers ARE expensive. Why? Because they know how to step up on stage and deliver what is most valuable to their audiences – entertainment. Plus, they know how to deliver what is most valuable to their clients – a hassle free event. Amateurs just don’t have that kind of experience. When it does matter to you the outcome of your event, if you want to look good in front of your peers and you value the experience you will give them, it is ALWAYS the right thing to do hiring a professional. An amatuer will just end up costing you more in the long run.

When you hire an amateur you end up losing 100% of your investment because they were yet incapable of doing the job they were hired to do. When you hire a professional, you will only lose the difference between the two fees – because you were prepared to invest the lesser fee already.

And of course, you would lose anything. You would gain everything becasue you made the right decision hiring a professional.

Here is a short series of tips for planning successful corporate events.

1. Always take the time to plan ahead. If you will be renting a special venue you need to secure it as far in advance as possible. Some places can book up even a year in advance: by finding your venue early and putting down a deposit, you can ensure that you get the venue that you want.
2. When planning a corporate event, set a very strict working budget and make sure that you have extra cash for the unexpected expenses. You can be sure that every event will have some unexpected expenses; it’s simply part of planning an event.
3. If you have contracts, agreements, lists, or seating charts, make sure you keep extra copies of them in case they are misplaced or lost. Copying them is very simple and quick, and can really save you later on if you lose your plans.
4. Remember to contact the service providers whose quotations you do not accept, to let them know that you are declining their quote. They will often be more than happy to recommend another company that will meet your specific requirements … or perhaps even be prepared to negotiate a more acceptable fee.
5. Make sure you send out your invitations at least 3 to 4 weeks ahead of your event. In addition, make sure that you ask your guests to RSVP so that you know how many people will be attending.
6. If you are creating a seating chart for your event, you can either set it up randomly or work with someone else in your company to come up with the best possible scenario. If you are having entertainment, proper seating is an entirely different scenario.Here are some Seating Examples I recommend to my clients when they are scheduling entertainment or a keynote:
7. If you want good attendance at your event, it is a good idea to schedule it earlier in the week or a long way away from any major holidays. People tend to vacation over holidays and often have plans on weekends, making Friday and Saturday bad days to have a business function.
8. It is important to know when to use a theme and when not to. A child’s birthday party is an appropriate time to use a theme, while a corporate event requires less of a theme and more plain elegance than anything else.
9. When you are having a business event, keep the music mellow and stick to something that everyone can enjoy. Suggest genres of music to your DJ, or request a typical playlist of common favourites that will encourage people to dance!
10. If you will need equipment such as microphones, projectors, speakers, a video camera, etc., make a list of the things you will need and make sure that you have someone on site who can fix any technical problems which may come up during the event. You do NOT want to wait hours while an on-call technician is being dispatched to you.