Whether you’re hosting a birthday party or a charity event, your event entertainment can make or break your success.
Choosing the right entertainment is critical if you want to elicit that “WOW” response from your clients and guests! Whether using an agency or hiring on your own, there are a few factors to consider when investing in event entertainment.
1. Budget
It’s the first question your vendors will ask you: “What’s your budget?”
Starting with a budget is crucial before you start with any aspect of your event planning. With it, you’ll be able to weed out pricey vendors and entertainment types before you get your hopes up.
As you set your event budget, don’t forget the most important rule of event planning: spend the most on the thing you want them to remember. And for most, that’s the event entertainment.
The live acts are where all the excitement is at. Whether you hire a DJ or a stilt walker, they’ll be featured in every picture and memory your guests have at your event. Make sure your event entertainment is something that leaves a great impression.
At Aces Wild, we have a variety of budget-friendly options to make any event magical, so you can throw the event of a lifetime without breaking the bank.
2. Theme
At Aces Wild, we love themed events!
There’s nothing that turns a party into an experience quite like a theme. The key is for everything—from the food to the entertainment—reflect the theme. The result is a truly immersive experience that’ll make your guests forget that they’re really in the Hilton ballroom.
Your live entertainment should fit the atmosphere and theme of your event as well. A Vegas-themed party requires blackjack dealers and showgirls, and fire breather would go great at a circus-themed birthday party.
Get your event committee together and think big! Chances are, if you can dream it, Aces Wild can make it happen.
3. Audience
Just as important as theme is your audience.
Your event is for them, so make sure to carefully consider the people on your guest list when selecting event entertainment.
Craps tables and roulette wheels would be a great choice for a Monte Carlo-themed PTA fundraiser (parents’ night out, anyone?), but if there are third-graders on the guest list? Better stick with a circus act or magician. It’s also important to consider the level of professionalism. A corporate function needs to be much more tasteful than a 21st birthday blowout.
4. Research
You may love the idea of hiring a live band or comedian as your event entertainment, but don’t walk in blindly. Research is vital in order to get the biggest bang for your buck.
Once you’ve decided on your entertainment, do the research to make sure you won’t be let down. Read online reviews. Ask for recommendations from others in your industry. Scour their social media channels for video. (In this day and age, there’s no reason not to have images, video, or testimonials online.)
Once you have a few options to choose from, schedule meetings so you can compare them against each other.
Sound like too much work? Don’t sweat. The event consultants at Aces Wild can take care of this for you, so you can focus on the fun stuff. With our entertainment experience—plus our extensive network of connections—every entertainment recommendation is hand-selected and vetted with you in mind.
5. Venue
Another important consideration is where the event will be held.
Depending on your venue, you might have sound or space limitations that will make it difficult to hire your choice of entertainment. Some venues have a noise ordinance that may prohibit hiring live music or other forms of entertainment. Others simply might not have the space needed for the juggling act you’ve set your heart on.
6. Equipment
Before you finalize any entertainment act, ask what equipment (if any) they need you to provide.
A DJ will likely bring their own sound boards and speakers, but assuming that the cigar rollers will bring their own table could turn into a logistical mess if they show up without them.
7. Insurance
Unforeseen accidents are the entire reason the insurance industry exists.
Make sure that every vendor (including your entertainment) carries liability insurance. If they don’t, don’t hire them. It’s simply not worth the risk.
Even with a relatively “safe” task—like emceeing an event—unintended injuries can occur. Make sure that you, your client, or the venue are not held liable in the event of an accident.
Ask to be listed as an additionally insured on their policy and get a copy of their insurance certificate.
8. Fees
Event entertainment fees can be a lot more complex than they initially seem.
Are there any fees in addition to the performer’s hourly rate (set-up fees, travel and/or accommodation costs)? Know the facts before you commit to hiring anyone! If they’re expecting flights, food, and luxury accommodation, their fees could double.
Make sure you get this information upfront so you avoid sticker shock later.
9. Marketing
Don’t get so excited about planning your event that you forget to market the heck out of it.
People appreciate good food, a nice view, and a great cause, but they get excited about entertainment.
Once you’ve booked your performer(s), mention it on your social media channels, event invitations, website, and anywhere else people look to for information about your event. Even if your event is a fundraiser for a worthy cause, knowing that there’s going to be amazing entertainment will make your attendance soar.
10. Go Big!
Who says you can’t have it all?
Not Aces Wild!
If you’re having trouble deciding between different event entertainment acts, go with them all! Hiring more than one kind of entertainment is the ultimate “WOW” factor.
Aces Wild’s Top 10 Event Entertainment Ideas
At Aces Wild, we know a thing or two about event entertainment. Many people are surprised to hear it, but we can help you with more than just casino dealers!
Here are our favorite event entertainment ideas, organized from least to most “over the top!”
- Photo Booth – People love having a memento of an awesome event and this is an easy way to do just that.
- DJ – Music is one of the easiest ways to tug on people’s heartstrings and affect them emotionally.
- Professional Bartenders – A professional bartender can be just as entertaining as the headlining act. Find one who can craft amazing cocktails on the fly or do a few bar tricks.
- Live Music – Live music turns any event into a concert. Just make sure you see them live or watch a video first to make sure they can bring the right energy to your event.
- Casino Dealers – Why go to Vegas when you can bring Vegas to you? Create the ultimate casino night with professional dealers, tables, and even prizes.
- Showgirls – Professional showgirls are the ultimate Instagrammable entertainment. Plus, they fit in perfectly with any casino-themed event!
- Host/Emcee – If you have a program timeline, a professional host is crucial. Hosts and emcees can keep the evening running smoothly and professionally.
- Comedian – A comedian is a fresh choice in a sea of the same, tired event entertainment.
- Cigar Rollers – Professionals hand-rolling cigars right in front of you? Your guests have probably never seen anything like it!
- Circus Acts – Kids and adults like love a good, old-fashioned circus act. Contortionists, fire-breathers, stilt walkers, and juggling acts never disappoint.
Conclusion
Hiring the right entertainment is about more than finding a performer who can fill a few hours at your next event.
Creating a memorable experience means keeping the entire evening in mind, from the budget to the guests’ experience. When planning any sort of event, there’s a lot of moving parts, but with Aces Wild, you don’t have to be responsible for all of them.
At Aces Wild, we’ll put our knowledge, experience, and connections to work for you. Our professional event consultants can craft the perfect party, so you can sit back and watch your vision come to life.
