| Conventions are a great way for business owners | | | | step is to consider appropriate entertainment for the |
| and their employees to get together for a couple of | | | | night. If your budget allows, a great idea is to have |
| days to discuss all aspects of the business. | | | | an item of entertainment before the first course of |
| Employees are given the chance to voice their | | | | dinner. Then have a short item after the starter and |
| opinions, plus they can make meaningful suggestions | | | | another after the main course. The final segment of |
| about future plans for the company. These events | | | | entertainment should be something that will really get |
| usually last for a couple of days and culminate in a | | | | the place rocking. Cirque style entertainment is a very |
| festive evening of fine food, dancing and good | | | | popular current trend in corporate entertainment |
| convention entertainment. | | | | A comedian is always good for pre-dinner |
| Most conventions take place in hotels or facilities that | | | | entertainment. As with your emcee, you can prime |
| specialize in such events. If you want to set a good | | | | this person to include some of the delegates' names |
| tone at the start of your convention, you can lay on | | | | into his or her routine. This is guaranteed to provide |
| a bit of entertainment when the delegates first arrive | | | | much laughter, and the right mood will be set for the |
| at the venue. For example, hire some stilt walkers to | | | | rest of the evening. |
| hand out glasses of champagne at the registration | | | | When everyone has finished eating their starters, |
| table. | | | | you could bring on a magician. There are various |
| When it comes to organizing the entertainment for | | | | categories of magicians. For this type of occasion, |
| the final night, you will want to get it right. Therefore, | | | | you will want to hire what is known as a 'close up |
| there are some important things to consider. Firstly, | | | | magic' act. This is a magician who performs |
| to make sure that everything is well coordinated, | | | | sleight-of-hand tricks while interacting with the guests. |
| enlist the services of a Master of Ceremonies, | | | | She or he will move around among the tables doing |
| commonly known as an 'Emcee'. This could be | | | | tricks with coins, cards and other items. |
| someone on your staff who has the ability to be | | | | By the time everyone has enjoyed their desserts |
| witty and light-hearted, yet able to keep the guests | | | | and the champagne has been flowing, they will be |
| attention when necessary. | | | | more than ready to let their hair down on the dance |
| If you do not know of anyone suitable, you can | | | | floor. For this, you could either hire a DJ or a live |
| always hire a professional emcee. There are many | | | | band. A DJ could enable you to kill two birds with one |
| agencies that specialize in this service. A professional | | | | stone because he or she could also act as the |
| will know exactly what is required to keep your big | | | | emcee. If you think your guests would prefer a live |
| night running smoothly so that the delegates will have | | | | band as part of the convention entertainment, make |
| a good time. You can brief him or her about any | | | | sure you hire one that plays all genres of music. Most |
| quirky things you want included in the chit-chat. | | | | importantly, one that will get everyone on the dance |
| Once you have got the emcee sorted out, the next | | | | floor having a great time!! |