What to Look For Before Hiring a Comedian For a Corporate Event

If you're planning on hiring a comedian for your next corporate event or party there are a lot of things that you need to consider to ensure that the show will be a success. You can't just blindly thumb through the phone book and pick the first comedian that you see advertised, you have to do a good deal of research to ensure that the comedian that you hire will put on a show that will be funny to your particular audience. A poor performance by the entertainment of the event can make the entire event a flop, but choosing someone who tries to entertain the audience with humor that may offend some of your employees could result in a much worse scenario than just a bad party - that's why you need to make sure that the comedian you hire puts on the kind of show that your employees will respond to.

Here are some of the many things to consider before hiring a comedian, or any form of entertainment, for your next corporate event:

Who is in the Audience?

Your co-workers and employees are the reason that you are throwing your corporate event, without them you wouldn't be having anything to celebrate - you most likely wouldn't have a business at all, so it's crucial that you examine your audience as a whole and make sure that nothing in the hired artist's performance will offend anyone sitting in the audience.

Some basics to stay away from are: profanity, religion, race and sex. All of these can be very touchy topics that shouldn't be brought up in the workplace, so they shouldn't be brought up in an event help for the people in the workplace either. You can't, and shouldn't, know everything about all of your employees private lives - any one of these topics focused on in any manner could create a really uncomfortable situation for one or several of your valued employees. It's safe to assume that if a topic shouldn't be addressed at the workplace, than it shouldn't be addressed by the entertainment at a corporate event either.

The Track Record of the Performer

Just as you don't want to hire a comedian that will touch on subjects that could offend some of your employees, you also don't want to hire a comedian with no experience in this type of atmosphere. Working the stage at a corporate event and working the stage at an open microphone night at a seedy bar are two completely different things - that's not to say that a comedian who performs at clubs and bars can't successfully perform at a corporate event, but you want someone with proof of success in these types of events.

The comedian you are considering should be able to provide any number of references of parties and events that they have performed at. It won't take you more than a few minutes to check some of those corporate references to see exactly how the comedian that you are considering performed. A good reference from another or several other, corporate events will give you a good idea whether the comedian you are considering can perform well in the event that you are holding.

You want your corporate event to be a smashing success, something that all of your employees truly enjoy and will talk about favorably for the foreseeable future. You want everyone to laugh and have a good time without any chance of anyone feeling uncomfortable or being offended. The way to ensure this is to do your research and hire a comedian who is funny and clean and who has a good track record with several other corporate event performances under his or her belt.

Take a Limo to Football Games

You've scored tickets on the fifty yard line for your favorite team, and you're excited to go, when it hits you: who's going to drive? You have to get to the stadium somehow, but what about tailgating? What about celebrating the win afterwards? You can't drink and drive, so what can you do? Why not hired a limousine to take you and your friends to the big game without worrying about how you are getting down there? Limousines can be a great way to take an entire group to a football game and still be able to enjoy the evening.

Let Someone Else Drive

Hiring a limousine means you don't have to worry about driving yourself and your friends to the big football game. Let's face it; it's not a football game unless you tailgate, and you can't tailgate if you're the one driving. A limousine can allow you to tailgate from the backseat, all the way to the stadium. In a limousine, you can entertain fifteen of your football fanatic friends with televisions, mini bars, refrigerators and much more. Stock up on all the food and beverage essentials and you're ready to go! Your driver can get you to the game and drop you off at the stadium door in style, while you party in the backseat. You don't have to worry about traffic, parking or not be able to partake in any festivities. You've got a driver to handle it for you!

Not only that, but it allows you to enjoy the evening with your entire group in one single limousine, instead of trying to coordinate several cars meeting up at one single place. With a limousine, everyone can start and end the evening together. There is no hassle. You are free to enjoy the evening as you see fit. Limousine drivers also know the best places to eat and drink, if you want to partake before or after the game. Often they are aware of off-the-wall spots that fit your group's personality.

So if you are planning to watch your favorite team play some ball, why not consider a limousine? However, not all limousine companies are reputable, so ask around. What company has the best reputation around town? Whoever has the best word-of-mouth advertisements would be your best bet. Research the limousine companies to find a reputable, professional driving service to get you there and back. But do call early! With the holidays rolling around, limousine companies book up quickly, so be sure to book a limousine as soon as possible. You don't want to be left in the driver's seat for your night out at the stadium.

Company Picnic Ideas - The Ultimate Ideas List

Searching for a few outstanding company picnic ideas for your company's annual celebration?

Imagine standing at your company's gathering, your hands resting on your waist. It's a beautiful summer day, a day that's almost out of a movie or a dream.

While gazing around the picnic grounds, you notice that your employees and their families are having a genuinely good time. People are smiling, laughing and engaging in casual conversation.

This year is a whole lot better than last year, and as your mind tracks back, the difference between the two is astounding: last year people barely stayed. They came to just show up, and then quickly left, all because the activities for that day weren't all that compelling.

Point being, you need some fun company picnic ideas for your annual celebration. If you spend money on activities that aren't fun and that people don't stick around for, you might just as well rolled-up that money and flushed it down the drain!

When you're thinking of company picnic ideas, you've got to think of activities that your employees will really enjoy doing. Not only do you have to think of your employees, you have to think of their children and families as well.

A company picnic can be more than just a small, informal gathering for your employees. With a big vision and a few creative ideas, you can transform this re-occurring meeting into a hallmark of the year. This is a time when your company and employees are more like a giant family gathering to celebrate a year of hard work and common purpose.

I've been a part of planning and booking company picnics for years. I have seen what kind of entertainment has really involved people and their families. I have also talked with plenty of people about what kind of ideas has worked for them and which ideas have failed miserably.

Here's a short-hand list of the most tried-and-true, people-proven ideas:

• Carnival Ride Rentals


• Inflatable Rentals


• Live Music


• Caricature & Tattoo Artists


• High-Tech Games and Rides

These entertainment options can be mixed and matched and weighed one way or another depending on price range and preference. What matters is fitting entertainment that works for your employees and their families and that's within their price range.

Fortunately, all these top-rated company picnic ideas can be customized and rearranged to fit nicely into your budget. I hope this year makes your company picnic the best yet!

Event Marketing 101 - Getting the Word Out

You may want to get sophisticated with a website that enables online registration, email reminders to registrants and email blasts to prospective attendees, but event marketing is all about getting the word out.

No matter what size event, there is no shortage of tools to help you realize that goal. It could be a quarter-page or even full-page ad in the newspaper or even a multi-page brochure.

Providing accurate information to the attendees is one of the main ingredients to success. Other marketing ideas like direct mail, email marketing, blog marketing, event sponsorship etc. can be appropriate and effective.

Marketing Software

Marketing software plays an integral part in communication globally, and also between the different groups of staff sometimes necessary when launching a large event. It also helps you stay organized by keeping track of multiple tasks, providing lists and forms, even blank contracts for handy use.

There are software packages that are specific to particular tasks such as providing detailed schematics of the event space which is useful for event management, event planning, caterers, audio visual and production companies.

Other software can be turnkey packages addressing all aspects of event planning and management, both online and offline.

Event Invitations

The prudent planner will always send invitations at least a month or two in advance of the event. The who, what, why, when, and where information as well as the design, and printing must be flawless.

Invitation style can give an indication as to the nature of the event, whether casual, formal, academic, etc.

Marketing Tools

Marketing tools range from brochures, ads, publicity, formal invitations, flyers, posters, press releases, registration forms, websites, emails, interoffice memos, etc. They come in all colors, shapes, and styles, even sounds and video, that can do the job of getting your message across to your target audience. You need to get imaginative with what you use and how you apply it.

Direct Marketing

Direct marketing allows you to track your marketing multiple ways. Testing and tracking is vital to your marketing efforts. Using the resulting data properly can help you obtain new clients by abandoning useless campaigns and expanding successful ones.

People who tend to pride themselves on being part of an elite group and highly value membership and association are the kinds of clients who will produce repeat business. Taking advantage of this trait and targeting that audience with surprise bonuses, and nurturing communication, can greatly increase your event attendance.

Direct Mail Marketing

Direct mail marketing is a proven marketing medium with a long history of delivering results. It includes advertising circulars, catalogs, business cards, and other commercial merchandising materials and incentives (like all sorts of promotional items).

Depending on the profile of your target audience, your marketing medium can either be delivered on location by teams on the street distributing handouts or mailed using pre-selected mailing lists.

Event Sponsorship

Event Sponsorship is a give-and-take relationship that can be philanthropic or contractual in a way that all involved will benefit.

Most large corporations, for profit or non-profit, have set budgets to participate in event sponsorship as a marketing strategy to reach great numbers of their customers, users, audiences, clients, all at one time.

The sponsors get brand or product recognition, promotion, and perhaps qualified leads. The event can get extra money, products and donations to save on expenses.

Attendees get informational products to use, or free gifts and product samples. It's a win-win relationship.

Promotional Marketing

Promotional marketing is a business marketing strategy designed to motivate a customer to take action towards a buying decision. Using coupons, contests, promotional products, giveaways and samples can boost sales for your event.

Social Marketing

Social marketing endeavors to inspire social behaviors, not to benefit the marketer, but to benefit the target audience or group.

Social Marketing is a new breed of marketing, in that it requires listening to the needs, trends, and desires of the target prospects and catering to them, rather than dictating a marketing message.

This requires putting your finger on the pulse and getting a feel for market trends through thorough research and constant re-evaluation of each aspect of your marketing initiatives.

A good place to turn to for such marketing would be ezines, blogs, forums, groups, social bookmarking sites, social networking sites, etc.

Blog Marketing

Blogs are like graffiti, once you stick something up there everybody sees it. That's why it provides good insight into market trends because it becomes a tangible record of everyone's response to your idea, product, service, etc. and allows corrections of misconceptions that impede their success.

Starting a blog is easy when using sites like Squidoo, Hubpages, and Blogger.com etc.

Generally, you want to blog about what your audience has an interest in. This can be restricted to members or groups, or be a completely open forum.

In other words, use everything at your disposal to get your product, service or idea into the right hands, not only in a legal manner, but more importantly, in a socially acceptable manner. Then, you will see the results of your efforts skyrocket. Don't forget to record and track what you did, or you'll kick yourself for not being able to repeat your event marketing success in the future.

Advantages of Hiring An Event Planner

Finding a reliable and efficient event planner has become very easy in the bay area. There are a number of people and companies who need professional help when it comes to their social and corporate events. Event planning in the bay area has become increasingly popular and you can now find the perfect event management company online. Companies provide a wide variety of services to make your event that extra bit special. Companies have come up with ideas which would make your party unique and remembered for a long time.

These companies excel at coordinating all the aspects of your social event. They would help you with a lot of tips and suggestions for your party. They would choose the best possible place for your gathering and give you ideas for the theme, decor and music. These are just a few from a huge list of things they would help you with. They would guide you through every step of the planning of event. Here are some of the types of social and corporate events they produce:

Bridal Showers
Baby Shower
Social And Corporate parties
Birthday parties
Reunions
Retirement parties
Housewarming parties
Anniversaries
Weddings
Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
Sweet 16
Baptism and first communion events
Going - away and welcome home parties
Graduation Parties

These companies would literally take care of every aspect of your party. They are tied up with the best DJ's, Bands, and performers in the country. They have been very creative and thought a large number of themes. These companies would help you with costumes, decors for all their themes. You should definitely have a look at their websites and see which theme would suit your party best. You can choose from a wide variety of ideas as they have thought of some unimaginable themes.

These companies also specialize in kids social events. They have a special focus on kid's entertainment. They have thought of perfect ideas for kid's outings and school trips. These would even make for fun activities on your child's birthday. These are just a few of the options you can choose from:

Scavenger hunts
Laser tag tournaments
Field trips
Carnivals
Theme park outings
Grand Prix Racing (in go carts of course)
Swimming parties
Magic Shows
Horse Riding
Live animal Shows
Indoor sky diving
Rock and Velcro climbing walls
Giant Trampolines
Chocolate fountains

All these activities are supervised by trained professionals. Event planning in the bay area has become and big and very professional business and with so much on offer I strongly suggest you do some research online and find the perfect event planner for you.

Role of Game-Based Training in the Corporate World

According to industry experts, games are reshaping the core formulae of business ethics. Games are no longer just a kid's domain of play but are increasingly being used in corporate organizations to train their employees. Indeed in USA alone, a good number of people like playing video games more than watching movies. Games have the tremendous potential to create a highly skilled and problem solving workforce more than ever before.

John and Mitchell Wade in their book "Got Game: How the Gamer Generation is Reshaping Business Forever" has given an in-depth analysis on the growing significance of gaming in the working field. After conducting hundreds of surveys and interviews, Beck and Wade have concluded that gamers appear to be more committed and team-oriented than most of their predecessors.

Appreciating the importance of gaming, many companies are now developing a series of e-learning games to better train their employees. The main aim is to make the trainees learn by going through the usage of various kinds of fun-filled, highly interactive games. For example, you have created a game to train the sales team of your company. Let's see how through applying such games you can best educate and motivate the sales professionals to achieve outstanding results.

Gaining Attention

Games act as a strong medium of drawing the attention of the workers towards a specific project. However, you have to really work hard in making the games highly compelling and enjoyable for the workers to really find it interesting to even considering trying it out at all.

Using an Example

Create a hypothetical situation such as selling a product to a client. For example, divide the trainees into two groups - one will represent the sales team while the others can play the role of the clients. You will tell the sales professionals to convince the group acting as clients to buy their products. It will be fun to watch how the sales team persuades the clients to finally purchase the products.

Encouraging Employees to Create New Games

Always make it a point to engage your employees to come up with their own versions of gaming. Of course, the games developed must have a connection with the business goal that is, to increase sales and ROI.

Games are much more learner-centric. They provide a greater opportunity of interactivity and team work through the exchange of thoughts and ideas while solving a puzzle or doing role play. Interactive games also lead to development of one's personality and self-confidence. A game helps you to exploit the next achievable state of expertise. It often lets you reach certain states or goals that may improve your far sightedness in dealing with different business situations in the real world.

Planning a Bowling Party - 3 Easy Steps

Bowling parties are great fun and a terrific way to celebrate one's birthday. Even with no planning a party that include bowling is sure to be lively and filled with laughter. But with a little bit of planning you can take your party from 'ordinary' to 'spectacular'!

Start with the Invitations: Of course a bowling themed invitation is a must. It sets the scene and guides your guests to dress appropriately. You can probably find themed invitations at your favorite party store or store such as Target, however, if you want to choose from a large selection the internet is your best bet. Simply by typing "Bowling invitations" in your search bar you will have a slew of fabulous options at your fingertips. I especially like the large selection offered at impressinprint.com and zazzle.com.

Move on to Decorations and Refreshments: For both of these a quick call to the bowling alley will let you know the leeway you have with both. Most alleys are more than happy for you to put up banners and streamers to let everyone know that a birthday is happening. Heck, offer to leave the decorations for them when you are done to use for other parties and, as long as they are in good shape and of good quality, they could be thrilled (bowling parties are very lucrative to the alleys).

Refreshments are a bit trickier since bowling alleys make money from the food and drink they sell. A couple of ideas here:

• Ask them what their policy is. If they have a strict 'their food and drink only' policy, ask if you could bring in just the dessert (a birthday cake or wedding cake, of course - most will allow that). If you are forced to order the rest for them, ask if they will discount prices for your group.


• If you are allowed to bring in your own food then, of course, it's up to you. Try to buy the beverages from them at the very least - it's a good-will gesture to the bowling alley and they most likely offer pictures of pop and beer at lower costs than individual servings. Do check out their menu (they can probably fax it to you) to see if there is anything you would like to order from them to round out your menu.


• Make sure that they are set up with tables for you to serve the refreshments on.

Send your Guests Home with Bowling Favors: It is always thoughtful to send your guests home with a party favor and guest LOVE being given these little 'presents'. I'd love to tell you that there are tons of these theme favors available but there really aren't. Most are in the form of edible favors (cookie favors, etc.) but there are others to be had with a bit of searching. A unique and fun gift is to hand out 'trophies' to your guests with something like "I scored big at Peter's Bowling Birthday Bash" engraved on it. Sites such as www.crownawards.com have trophies, with engraving, available for less than $4 each (a quick search using the term "cheap trophies" will provide you with more options). Another great gift is to give each of your party goers a coupon for one free game in the future (and the alley might be willing to give you a price break on this).

Diva Entertains- Copyright 2009