You Don't Need Entertainment At Your Corporate Event
? Fred Moore
?The Motivational Speaker that's a mix of Tony Robbins, Jimmy Fallon and David Copperfield. "Keynote Presentations That Are Magical, Motivational, and Hilarious!"
That coming from an entertainer who works a lot of corporate events probably sounds like a stupid thing to say. But it’s true, nobody is really looking for entertainment for their conference or meeting.
What they’re really looking for is something that will;
? Lighten the mood of the event
? Help relieve stress and anxiety
? Bring people together and help foster networking
They’re looking for a mood to be set, a feeling to be established and a tone to be in place when the entertainment is over. They’re looking to change to dynamic of the meeting and shift peoples focus and give them a ‘brain break”.
After sitting in sessions and listening to people talk all day the participants heads are swimming with new thoughts, ideas, strategies & best practices to sift through. It’s like drinking from a firehose!
With entertainment on hand they can shift their focus and give the analytical part of their brain a chance to process things. A chance to clear out the static and fuzz, to reset and refocus for the day.
If the conference is just starting your group will be tired, jet-lagged and frazzled from just getting to the meeting. They’ll be anticipating the “same old same” just like every other conference they’ve been to.
When they don’t see the same “talking head” speaker come out to kick off the event…then they sit up, pay attention and be engaged!
Whenever I’m talking with a client one of my first questions to them is; “what are you looking to get out the entertainment at the event?” If they’re looking for something fun, interactive and customized…perfect! If they’re looking for something to be happening while their group is eating dinner…that’s not me (and I’ll point them to some options from safe to stunning…yeah I’m that kind of guy).
The next time you or someone in your company says “we need entertainment at our event” think about what they’re really looking for. Conversely if someone says “we need something fun and surprising to open up the conference”…think of me! ??
-Fred Moore
Keynote Speaker, Corporate Comedy Magician & Bald-Guy
Experienced Human Resources Executive | College Professor | Training & Development | Recruiting | Compensation Strategies
6 年I say it depends. Yeah, the old standby answer in HR. The truth is, if the end result is to improve morale, camaraderie and support the culture - Great! I wouldn't do it in a Funeral Home, but that's just me. If it doesn't turn into a class-action after the party, I'd say go for it! Corny is OK.
Insurance Producer, Compliance Specialist, Seminar Instructor, Public Speaker, Writer
6 年Enthusiasm, a willingness to help, and the ability to disseminate information in an animated fashion can indeed be entertaining...and the combination of these skills, coupled with a firm grasp of the information to be shared with participants is a winning combination...and shows through. Some of these can be acquired as skills, but some people do possess innate talent as well. There can be nothing more motivating than a speaker who can deliver these gifts to the audience, generating a positive, successful response, whether it is for information, inspiration, support, or commerce...
The Master of Ceremonies - TV Presenter - Conference Facilitator - Keynote Speaker - Speaker Trainer - Podcaster
6 年Couldn't agree more. Tho' you had me worried at the start. To spread the word that conferences 'don't need entertainment' is a dangerous salvo. As a good corporate MC we SHOULD be entertaining whether its through magic like Fred (and myself) or even simply witty introductions to speakers. The conference that doesn't recognise the need for light and shade, levity and gravitas is a conference I don't want to attend.
Book Ghostwriter | Author | Certified Editor & Proofeader | Memoirs, Self Help and Business | Corporate Histories
6 年Well said!
THE LINKEDIN? STYLE GUIDE | Pioneering the Next Frontier of LinkedIn? for Leaders, Business Owners, C-Suite Executives, Physicians, Advisors, and Creators in Brand Transformation and Culture-Driven B2B Organizations
6 年Hey Fred, anything to keep the audience off their phones, right?