4 Simple Things To Do You Can Do To Have Great Entertainment At Your Holiday Party

4 Simple Things To Do You Can Do To Have Great Entertainment At Your Holiday Party

Today is the first day of fall, which means that a lot of companies will be planning their annual Holiday Gathering.

These parties are a great way to promote a successful year but more importantly, they are a necessary way to celebrate the people who make the company the success it is. Every company needs to have a holiday party.

Let’s assume you have booked some entertainment to help your friends and colleagues celebrate the year. What should you do to help your entertainer present the best show possible?

It’s pretty easy. Ask him or her for their Rider. A Rider is a document outlining the requirements they need to put on their show. Some Riders are more extensive than others (all the brown M&M’s removed from the premises), and some are simple (two bottles of water). Some performers don’t have one at all. They may think they don’t need one and that they can work in any venue. A professional knows that this isn’t the case.

Quite often more than half of the time spent at the party will be in front of the entertainment. That’s a big responsibility for the success of the evening and yet most of the worry and stress are applied to the food and decorations. Here are some things you can do to make the show a hit. BTW, these simple things will also make you look like a rock star because everyone enjoyed the show.

 

peter mennie canada's clean comedy conjurorHELP YOUR ENTERTAINER DO A GREAT JOB
You don’t have to carry his/her equipment to and from the car but don’t just point to the stage when they arrive and tell them they’re on their own. If you are hiring an experienced, professional entertainer ask them what you can do to help make the show a success. A lot of easy-to-solve issues can be taken care of with a few simple questions. 

 

 

magic show corporate magician londonMAKE SURE EVERYONE CAN SEE
If some of the audience can’t see the show, they won’t enjoy the Party. They start talking or they might leave. If you have more than 60-70 people, you need a riser for the entertainment. Also, make sure the room manager arranges the tables so everyone has a clear eye-line to the stage. Most of them arrange the seating to make it efficient to serve the food only. Both criteria can be accommodated.

 

 

magic show london ontario magicianHAVE THE AUDIENCE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE
Entertainers want to create fun. Audiences want to participate in that fun. The first row of tables shouldn’t be any more than a ‘catering aisle’ away from the front of the stage. If there is a dance floor in front, put the tables ON the dance floor to be removed later. Performing across a dance floor is like trying to communicate across the Grand Canyon. It can’t be done.

 

 

peter mennie canada's clean comedy conjurorMAKE SURE EVERYONE CAN HEAR
Ask the venue if they have one that you can use. If they do, try and give it a test run. Don’t just ask them to supply one. More often than not, they will set up a podium with a mic permanently attached. Make sure the mic is on a floor stand and moveable. You’re planning a party, not a sales meeting. Your entertainer won’t be performing behind a podium. Get rid of it. Also, if the venue doesn’t have a sound system, ask your entertainer to provide one and if you can use it to introduce them.

 

 

The key to planning a successful party is communication. Communication between you and the venue/caterer. Communication between you and your entertainment. And communication between the entertainer and his/her audience. If any of those lines become broken, you’re on your way to a less than successful event.

About Peter

Magician Peter Mennie is a veteran Corporate and Special Event entertainment professional presenting a Clean Comedy Magic Show for After Dinner, Gala, Awards Banquet, Corporate and Family Audiences across Canada.
Please Like & Share!