In the corporate realm, events are taken very seriously. Hiring a headline performer can be a stressful job or it can be fun and exciting. After 26 years of specializing in corporate special events, I thought I’d share important traits for entertainers and their clients to consider.

1. Professionalism

Professional entertainers send a detailed list of their requirements early, communicate clearly and put everything in writing. Then they follow up on their requirements closer to the event, making sure there are no misunderstandings. They ask the client for information; about their company, the itinerary, floor plan and audience. Professionals don’t bring an entourage. They dress appropriately, even at the sound check. They stay sober, are respectful of others and they clean up their mess in the green room. They don’t share their personal problems. Performance material needs to be corporate-appropriate. Only clean comedy is acceptable. Corporate entertainers need to respect people’s time. I have a colleague who wanted me to get her bookings. She would call often and talk my ear off. It was difficult to get her off the line. Even though she was talented, I could see why people weren’t hiring her. She wasted their time.

2. Reliability

Event planners are under pressure to pull off a perfect event. Whether they are an in-house employee making party arrangements or they are from a top-notch event production company, their reputation is at stake. Corporations need a high standard met. That one night is like a wedding, It only happens once and it costs a lot of money. Performers need to prove that they are reliable and build trust from the moment they are in contact with the client. They should return calls promptly, write up contracts immediately and show up early to meetings. Of course, they also need to be onsite hours before the show. There is no replacement for a one-of-a-kind act. I know a woman who broke her wrist in the middle of her show and continued performing. I have gone on stage injured, with pneumonia and grieving at times, but the client never knew. Having a lot of adrenaline on the day of the performance helps me overcome anything. There is no excuse. The show must go on.

3. A Good Attitude

An entertainer might be a diva but they better not have a diva attitude, not at corporate special events. They need to be low-maintenance, especially on show day. The planner has the whole event to think of; food, décor, attendance, their other employees and more. Talent must be accomodating from the time they are booked until the end of the event.

4. Flexibility

Customization and comprimise are often required at special events. Seasoned performers have the most experience with their optimal performing conditions and their best shows, but have to be flexible when necessary. Is your act prepared to adlib if there are logistical or technical difficulties? When a corporate performer is a trooper of trouble-shooting, they can save the day. I’ve had the power go off, computers break down and other big challenges on stage and have had rave reviews for stepping up and keeping the flow going. Entertainers have to be prepared for anything.

5. A Good Reputation

Corporate entertainers should have reference letters, preferably posted on their website. It’s good to have letters from event planners as well as direct clients. A potential client should be able to speak with recent clients who are usually happy to talk about a show they enjoyed. A planner should be able to ask around within the industry and get good feed-back. If an artist is represented by a reputable talent agency, they are sure to be good.

6. Being Fabulous and Talented

You have to be good to make it in the corporate special event market. Having a unique act that engages the audience and has wow-factor makes the event memorable.

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Award-winning entertainer Tracey Bell is excited to host the 2014 Women in Film & Television Spotlight Awards and 25th Anniversary Gala on April 30th at Performance Works (1218 Cartwright St – Granville Island).

Bell will be changing wigs and costumes in seconds to become show business legends Marilyn Monroe, Cher, Julie Andrews, Celine Dion, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland and more.

Previously recognized as the 2005 Canadian Special Event Industry’s “Entertainer of the Year” and the 2009 BC Event Industry Awards’ “Entertainer of the Year”, Bell performs internationally at private corporate events, charity galas and in billionaires’ homes and has just celebrated her 25th Anniversary as an Entertainment Entrepreneur in the Special Events industry.

Bell recently returned from China where she performed for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai using colourful energy, lightning fast costume changes, and abundant audience participation that her signature one-woman show, 8 Divas in 44 Minutes, is known for.

The 2014 Women in Film & Television Spotlight Awards and 25th Anniversary Gala takes place on April 30th at Performance Works (1218 Cartwright St – Granville Island) at 7pm. Tickets are $30 for WIFTV Members ($40 for non-members) and are available now at WomeninFilm.ca.

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Corporate events, in and of themselves, are activities to look forward to. They signify a milestone crossed for a company, a celebration of a meeting a goal, or a step in a new direction. Employees look forward to these times when they have the chance to let their hair down and socialize with their colleagues without deadlines and projects looming in the near future. Corporate events, especially those that are held offsite, are some of the only times that employees reveal their true selves to the people they work with.

Selecting entertainment for a corporate event requires careful planning. Unlike venue or entertainment specific events, there is a lot of latitude allowed when the type of entertainment to perform. Comedians, magicians, musical acts, solo singers, variety acts, ventriloquists, traveling petting zoos, impersonators– there is a wide array of talent to choose from in the corporate event environment. However, with that flexibility brings additional concerns to the table. Here are three tips to consider when looking for talent to perform at your next corporate event:

Type of Entertainment

The chief concern when planning a corporate event is the type of material that will be presented.  There is virtually no way to please every single person in the company with a specific performer.  Being faced with that reality can present a challenge. Do you hire a male performer every year? Maybe you should consider a female comedian this time.  Sticking with the basics will make the decision easier.  Music that combines a mix of the popular genres, magicians, and clean comedians are choices that will satisfy a wide range of people. Interactive shows are especially memorable.

Material Covered

Once you have decided to go with a specific entertainment type, confirming that the material is appropriate for the audience is important. With people from coming from all walks of life and with no other common factory than employment at the company to share between them, it can be tricky to gauge levels of appropriateness.

Relevance of Material

Will the jokes make sense to the vast majority of your employees? If you’ve employed a cover band, will the music be recognizable? This is where knowing your employees will come into play. Understand the age ranges of the people employed in your business before you audition talent. If you have a young employee base, hire an act that will speak to their sensibilities and interests and vice versa. If the crowd is mixed, so should your talent be. Hire a DJ that can spin records spanning four decades or hire a comedian that talks about past and present situations.

Planning a corporate event can be an exciting activity. Having the opportunity to employee local talent, introduce your team members to a performer they may never have heard of before, and treating your employees to a company party is a perfect opportunity celebrate your teams accomplishments and show your company’s appreciation.

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Tracey Bell is best-known for her celebrity impersonations, but on special occasions – like the BC Special Event Industry Awards – she gets to play herself. Here she is hosting the awards celebration. Thanks to everyone who supported the event and the organizers for choosing her to host such a fabulous event!

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