Published November 2000

Discuss budget, goals when selecting entertainment

By Wendy Ronning
Guest Columnist

Hiring an entertainer or speaker for a corporate holiday party or event can be a daunting task. But there are many ways to find one.

You can go through entertainment agencies or speakers bureaus, which screen the entertainers and speakers they represent and will be able to match up an entertainer or speaker with your event.

If you don’t wish to go through an agency or bureau, entertainers and speakers can be found in the phone book and on the Web. Another good source for finding an entertainer or speaker is to ask fellow colleagues in other companies or associations who they have used in the past.

These four tips can help you find a professional corporate entertainer or speaker who will help contribute to the success of your event.

• When initially contacting a prospective entertainer or speaker, have the date of the event and an estimate of your entertainment budget. Be ready to discuss your budget with the entertainer or speaker. You can waste time considering an entertainer or speaker and requesting promotional materials only to find out they are out of your budget or unavailable on the date of your event.
• Upon first contact, make sure the entertainer or speaker is “corporate friendly” — using no racial, sexual or religious material in the act or speech. A good corporate entertainer or speaker will have a list of corporate clients he or she has served and also will have letters of recommendation from corporate clients, which should be included in the promotional packet.
• Discuss your goals for the event with your prospective entertainer or speaker. Be willing to discuss the event, including the agenda, awards ceremonies, location, the number of people attending and, most importantly, what objectives you want their services to accomplish. Professional entertainers or speakers will analyze your event and determine if they feel they can help you meet those objectives.
• After following the above guidelines, if you feel your prospective entertainer or speaker may be a good match for your event, request promotional material.

Wendy Ronning is Vice President of the Geoffrey Ronning Group, which provides entertainment for corporate events. The company can be reached by calling 425-712-1976 or by visiting its Web site, www.mrhypnosis.com.

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