6 Tips for Booking Great Corporate Event Entertainment

At JMO, we've been producing entertainment for more than a few decades. Our extensive experience gives us a particular vantage point on the field, and today we'd like to offer a few things you might not have thought to consider as you book music for a business affair.

So, what should you look for in a band? Here are 6 tips to choosing the perfect entertainment for a corporate event!

1. Make sure the song list is what you are looking for

A good first step is to the song list of the band you're considering. Most bands post a list of songs on their website but the question to ask yourself is “what am I looking for”? A good place to start is by organization of the song list. Does it make sense? How is it grouped, by decades, by artist, by genre? Or is half of the listed devoted to original music? For most corporate events, original music is not what you have in mind. You’re looking for a band that covers the popular genre(s) that appeal to your guests. It may be a blue-collar good time country music party which can include old and new country songs along with cajun and zydeco music.

2. Consider if you want a "themed" event, and if the band can enhance that

JMO plays the JAFRA convention in New Orleans, July 2013It may be that you're taking your corporate event to the next level and hosting an upper-end awards banquet that rewards top sales associates or devisions. In this case you may want Broadway style or Academy Award type theme music. Some companies will go even heavier down the "theme night" route (i.e. James Bond themed entertainment, Dixieland jazz band with a classic second line, etc.), which can be a fun way to make "just another convention" actually a pretty fun party. The point is matching the right band for the right set of circumstances. You may want to consider a band that focuses on a wide variety of entertainment. These types of groups are known to play just about anything, anytime and anywhere. 

3. Things to look for in the band's video

Ok, you’ve checked the song list and decided on the genre of the party, but what does the band look like? Or, what do they sound like? Check their photos and video pages of their website. Do they wear various costumes? Costumes is a term borrowed from the theatrical world, but in band lingo means a wide variety of things. Your concern is do they show up in boots to a black tie affair (thank you Garth Brooks!). Do they wear tuxedos and formal gowns, or do are they bluejeans/flannel/t-shirts to a formal event? There’s nothing that says you can’t mix and match these concepts now-a-days. It's just important to remember that 1) it’s your decision, and 2)  you should be aware of these variables as you book the entertainment.  

4. Can this band create the right atmosphere for the party?

Remember, the band is a major driver in the "feel" of the evening and of your event. The band is often on stage all night, and will at some point have the focus every event attendee (including your boss and co-workers) as the evening progresses. 

The entertainment you choose also drives the energy of the audience which is something else you can secretly check out in the videos. It's easy to get a feel for the band, but equally important is to watch for how the crowd is reacting to the band. Is this the one time each year when your company gets to let loose (dance all night, sing along, participate in line dances, be pulled up on stage) or the only chance to have meaningful conversations outside of the office (network, enjoy the background music, connect with the CEO at a sophisticated and timeless party)? It's your choice, but remember that the band you hire will make all the difference! 

5. Reviews, press clippings, and good feedback from peers

You’re right, no body uses press clippings any more. What an archaic term that has become. But most bands also have their online equivalent called “comments”  or “reviews.”  This is that peer review process that has come to work so well. Are they drawing good reviews on their website? How many followers do they have on Facebook? Are they on other social media sites? Do they have comments or subscribers on YouTube? This is not a tell all or end all decision maker for the band but it will offer you some guidance. 

6. Flexibility and attention to detail

Be sure to ask the band if they are flexible in terms of set up, break time, green room accommodations and most of all, volume levels. There’s nothing worse than the band that won’t turn down the volume while people are having dinner conversation. Conversely, your party can be a dud if the band can’t step up to the plate (so to speak) and take the evening to the next level once the crowd has finished dinner. That’s the time to kick up your heels and dance the night away. 

Final Thoughts

Does the band have a profile that includes: photos, video, audio, and song list? Do they have recommendations and or comments critiquing or thanking them for a great job? Do they seem able to provide exactly the kind of evening you were imagining in terms of dress, theme, dancing, and logistical flexibility? If you take care of all of these variables in advance, you're all set to have a great party that will keep business flowing all year long.

If you're in the New Orleans area or would like to book JMO for your next business affair anywhere in the nation, check out our corporate event music page to give you an idea of what JMO can offer. Whether you choose us or someone else, best of luck in your search and we hope you have a great party!

Comments

[Chase Howard]

Thanks for sharing this! I am helping out organizing our company's corporate events, and it is a purely outdoor affair while the weather is still nice. I have to get an HVAC system in order to keep some of the stations cool throughout the night. Since we are hosting an outdoor affair, would any of these tips be different?