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How To Make Your Virtual Meetings More Engaging

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Tim Grable
Tim Grable founded The Grable Group.The Grable Group is an international event and entertainment company.In addition to managing the schedules of our speakers, comedians artists and entertainers, we handle their literary, commercial, film/TV, social media and licensing opportunities.
Latest posts by Tim Grable (see all)

Last updated on April 9th, 2020 at 04:53 am

Has your business been impacted by the economy?  Looking for ways to keep your team engaged while working at home?  Let the Grable Group help your organization overcome the obstacles to current business challenges from COVID-19 with virtual meetings.  Our talent is experienced in this new technology medium and will surpass every expectation.

How To Make Your Virtual Meetings More Engaging

You Can’t Quarantine Laughter Even in Virtual Meetings!

Why choose comedy?  Humor has been proven to increase productivity by decreasing stress.  Laughter improves job performance by improving creativity and problem solving skills because of a friendly office environment.  Adding comedy to your virtual meeting will help your remote staff feel connected and stay focused on the task at hand.

Greg Schwem: You Can't Quarantine Laughter

Greg Schwen is the premier comedian for your next virtual meeting.  Large or small, your virtual meeting will be fun, energetic and successful.  Greg is at home in every industry and every venue, especially virtual meetings.  He has been privileged to perform before both the public and private sectors from the federal government to your local hardware store.  Each with proven success and endorsement.

Taylor Mason: Virtual Meeting Demo

Taylor Mason is a ventriloquist, a stand-up comic, a musician and a magician.  He has performed for thousands of corporate meetings, conventions, conferences and gatherings over the past 30 years. Clients include IBM, Walmart, Edward Jones. Disney and even The Federal Reserve.

His experience as a host, guest entertainer and speaker means he is comfortable working for virtual events using a couple of devices. Schools, small businesses, large corporations, fundraisers -- any event you can name he will bring a unique, entertaining, informative energy and dynamic.

Your Message Cannot Be Quarantined!

There is no doubt that we are living in a chaotic time that is effecting your business. It can be easy for your message to get drowned out by press briefings and sound bytes.  Don’t settle for this!

Amy McWhirter: Emcee and Event Host Demo

The solution?  A virtual emcee/host!  Similar to other platforms, a virtual emcee creates a focal point for your message to begin.  Because it is someone new and different, the audience is not distracted by the ordinary.   If you are looking for a presenter that will be focused on your message and engaging, then Amy McWhirter is the person for you!  With an extensive broadcast and communication experience, Amy is able to maintain audience interest while driving the message home.  As a well-versed emcee/host, Amy will make your meeting/event memorable.

For additional information on planning your Virtual Meeting, give us a call at 615 283 0039 or drop us an email.

4 Actionable Tips that Will Help You Plan Fun Corporate Events

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Tim Grable
Tim Grable founded The Grable Group.The Grable Group is an international event and entertainment company.In addition to managing the schedules of our speakers, comedians artists and entertainers, we handle their literary, commercial, film/TV, social media and licensing opportunities.
Latest posts by Tim Grable (see all)

Last updated on February 26th, 2020 at 05:44 am

Everyone wants to put together fun corporate events guests will honestly enjoy and remember with a smile on their face.

However, planning an exciting event that strengthens relationships between team members and reduces stress is not always easy to do.

To help you out, we’ve shared four actionable tips you should keep in mind for a successful event everyone will love. All you have to do is continue reading.

4 Actionable Tips that Will Help You Plan Fun Corporate Events

1. Include at Least One Interactive Activity

Activities that require the audience’s participation make events more dynamic, more engaging, and more fun. It other words, it makes them better.

Activities are also a great way to add more excitement to your event and perhaps even promote a bit of positive competition among guests.

However, to be effective and support your desire to plan fun corporate events, activities should be well thought-through. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • The activity should suit the overall style of your corporate event. Making guests run an obstacle course can be an excellent idea for a relaxed company party picnic. Not so much for a corporate gala, however.
  • Take the agility and the ability of guests into account. While some may be down for a game of soccer, consider that not everyone on your guest list will be keen or able to be part of something so active.  Pick something everyone can be involved in.
  • Ensure that your chosen venue is right for the activity you picked, in terms of available space and facilities.

2. Consider Taking the Event Out from the Office

Even if they like what they do and appreciate their colleagues, reporting to work every day, dressed in the same professional attire to work with the same people, can become a grind for most people.

If you want to plan fun corporate events, give your guests a break from their usual routine and take your event away from the conference rooms and cubicles they know so well.

A change of scenery can not only be refreshing, but it can also change the way guests interact with each other – and encourage them to show a more relaxed side of themselves.

So, if the weather and the venue allow it, consider scheduling part of the event outside.

Another great idea is to choose an unconventional space like an ice skating rink, an amusement park, or something unexpected, like a bowling alley, for example.

Actionable Tips that Will Help You Plan Fun Corporate Events

3. Offer Interactive Food Drink Stations

The vast majority of corporate events will offer some food and drinks, but why not take it to the next level and wow your guests by adding a novelty factor?

Nowadays, many different options allow you to feed and delight guests at the same time. For example, you could have a dressed champagne table Waitresses serving drinks.

Or you could set up a live stir-fry station where guests could watch their food being made right in front of them. It’s a lot more surprising than the traditional buffet, and so guests are more likely to remember it.

4. Prioritize Entertainment for Fun Corporate Events

One of the most effective ways to ensure your events don’t feel stale and predictable is to invest in high-quality entertainment.  Entertainment can make any event more exciting – turning it into an engaging, memorable experience for all those involved.

And this is something we can help you with.

From magicians and comedians to professional keynote speakers and more, you can choose from a wide array of premium entertainers featured in our portfolio.

Start browsing now, and take the first step towards finding the right entertainment for your next event.

How to Find Your Dream Guest Speaker (Easy Tips) for 2020

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Tim Grable
Tim Grable founded The Grable Group.The Grable Group is an international event and entertainment company.In addition to managing the schedules of our speakers, comedians artists and entertainers, we handle their literary, commercial, film/TV, social media and licensing opportunities.
Latest posts by Tim Grable (see all)

Last updated on November 25th, 2019 at 06:19 am

Whether we’re talking about conferences, galas, or company gatherings meant to celebrate important milestones, keynote speakers play a critical role in the success of a corporate event.

The right guest speaker can help you generate buzz for your event and increase the number of attendees. Plus, they can inspire and educate event-goers, which will, in turn, positively influence their perception of the event.

The problem? Finding the right keynote speaker is often a challenge for those in charge of planning the event.

If that’s a challenge you face as well, keep reading to discover a few useful tips on how to identify a potentially-ideal candidate.

How to Find Your Dream Guest Speaker (Easy Tips) for 2020

Use Social Media Tools to Discover Niche Influencers

Social media tools like BuzzSumo allow users to find the most popular content on pretty much any topic you can think of.

How does this help your efforts to find a guest speaker?

Well, thought-leaders in most niches today build their following by regularly creating high-quality, insightful, relevant content.

So, when you find content which is being read and shared by readers across social media, you’re likely also to discover popular influencers talking about that niche.

In other words, a great candidate to consider booking for your next expert.

Go to BuzzSumo and write down the topic you’re interested in by using the tool’s search bar. For example, if you’re organizing a conference on brand management, you’ll search for “brand management.”

The tool will reveal top-performing content about that topic. Follow the content trail to seek out the expert authors responsible for developing that content.

Once you find a possible candidate, make sure to do your research and see if the influencer who created that content also has the necessary expertise to be a speaker at your event.

YouTube

Turn to YouTube to Find Fresh Talent

If you have the time, browsing YouTube is an excellent tool you can use to find knowledgeable keynote speakers who would add value to your next event.

Using YouTube’s search bar, write down the topic you are interested in + the word talk or talks.  Among the results, you’ll likely find all kinds of presentations from different events, TEDx talks, and speeches given on that topic.

There are a few significant benefits of using this method to find a guest speaker:

  • After watching the video and seeing the speakers in action, you’ll gain a better grasp of their area and level of expertise and the format of their presentations.
  • You’ll also get to see if they are polished presenters and whether they can hold the audience’s attention.

Most of the speakers will provide some contact information in the description box of their YouTube videos. If you don’t manage to find that info, though, you can try looking them up on LinkedIn.

Note! Use this as a starting point, meaning that after you find a potential speaker for your event via YouTube, you should do some in-depth research to investigate the speaker’s experience, expertise, and reputation.

Futurist Vito Di Bari

 

Work with a Specialized Entertainment Agency

This is by far the easiest, most convenient, and often the most reliable way to find and book speakers with tremendous industry experience. Working with an agency will also save you time and provide you with invaluable industry expertise and insight.

Plus, a top entertainment booking agency, such as The Grable Group, provides unrivaled access to top-level business leaders, certified speaking professionals, and niche influencers, such as:

  • Tracy Spears. An expert in developing leaders, inspiring teamwork, and enhancing all types of communication, Tracy Spears keeps her audiences laughing and learning with her high-energy, humor-infused presentations.
  • Marc Griffiths. If you’re looking for a speaker to inspire, motivate, and raise morale, Marc’s a terrific option. His talents as a motivational speaker and ventriloquist come together to create an experience your guests won’t forget.
  • Denise Ryan. Through her engaging programs, such as “Great Balls of Fire!” and “How to Communicate with Everyone Who Isn’t You,” Denise Ryan shares powerful insight on how guests can improve their professional and personal lives.

Access to a vast pool of talent isn’t the only major benefit of working with a professional entertainment agency. Discover even more advantages here.

Finding Your Dream Guest Speaker: Next Steps

Our entertainers and professional speakers are passionate about delivering the very best for your next event and providing a memorable experience for all those involved.

Get in touch with us at (615) 283-0039, and let’s work together to bring top entertainment on stage at your event.

Our Top 10 Best World of Dance Acts

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Tim Grable
Tim Grable founded The Grable Group.The Grable Group is an international event and entertainment company.In addition to managing the schedules of our speakers, comedians artists and entertainers, we handle their literary, commercial, film/TV, social media and licensing opportunities.
Latest posts by Tim Grable (see all)

Last updated on March 9th, 2020 at 05:49 am

It’s no secret NBC’s hit reality show, World of Dance, is loved by many, and we have to admit we are big fans ourselves.

After all, the show has done quite a lot in bringing artistic dancing back into mainstream attention.

Spanning for 3 seasons, the show has had many incredible dance crews throughout its runtime. And in the following article, we have made a classification of the 10 Best World of Dance Acts.

Our Top 10 Best World of Dance Acts

10. Elektro Botz

As their name suggests, the Elektro Botz is a group that swings along the grooves and glitches of electronic music.

Their dance routines can be stunning, giving off the impression there’s actual clockwork involved in their movement.

Elektro Botz - World of Dance 2018 S2E03 [QUALIFIERS]

9. Embodiment

Strength comes in numbers, and Embodiment is living proof this old saying still stands. They are a large dance group composed of 13 male performers who manage to perform breathtaking dance routines.

Their sheer numbers alone allow them to pull off a set of moves which border on the fantastic.

EMBODIMENT [THE CUT] WORLD OF DANCE 2018

8. Brotherhood

As their name suggests, Brotherhood are more like a family; each dancer is looking out for one another. Their dance routines flow seamlessly as if they’re on a large body carefully coordinated with each move.

What’s especially interesting about them is that they bring subtle elements of sports into their dance routines. For example, they are a group of 11 male dancers, the same number as you would find in a soccer team.

Brotherhood - World Of Dance 2018 Qualifiers

7. Karen y Ricardo

Karen Forcano is an Argentinian dancer who, together with Ricardo Vega, a Chilean dancer, form a passionate salsa dancing duo.

They graced us with their contagious rhythm and fiery dance moves in the second season of the show.

Karen y Ricardo WOD 2018 All Performances - Incredible Salsa Cabaret Couple - World Champion Dancers

6. Super Cr3w

They are a dance group from Las Vegas, Nevada, and their routines are a very energetic display of hip hop culture, and all it encompasses -- breakdance, street, and the iconic robot.

They’re incredible on all fronts, being very well synchronized and with the ability to put on a stellar performance.

World of Dance 2017 Super Cr3w: The Cut (The Full Performance)

5. Jabbawockeez

With a career that is close to almost two decades, the Jabbawockeez don’t need any introduction. They are the group with the moves, the costumes, and ethos to surpass all others.

JABBAWOCKEEZ - World of Dance | FULL PERFORMANCE - QUALIFIERS

4. The Lab

During World of Dance, they were one of the very few groups to earn a score of 100 points from the judges, which makes them one of the very Best World of Dance Acts.

Besides that, they had a flawless win streak throughout the entire show, and they have managed to win the hearts of the public, which is perhaps one of the most significant achievements a dance group can hope to attain.

The Lab - World of Dance 2018 S2E02 [QUALIFIERS]

3. Poreotics

The top 3 is reserved for some of the greatest acts from World of Dance. And Poreotics do not fall short of the title. They are a crew with much history behind them, and their outstanding routines cemented them as one of the Best World of Dance Acts.

Their moves are straightforward and do not require any elaborate stage antics to pull off. Yet they always manage to impress, and that’s what makes them simply amazing!

POREOTICS - THE DUELS (Need You x Drink Like a Monsta)

2. Les Twins

Twin brothers Laurent and Larry Nicolas Bourgeois form Les Twins, a dance duo that took the entertainment world by storm.

At first, they made waves in their France, by reaching the finals on a popular reality television show known as Incroyable Talent. They may not have won that competition, but they quickly became the audience’s darlings.

A few years down the line, their well-deserved moment of glory would come, as they were the champions of the first season of World of Dance.

Les Twins, Part 2 - The Finals @ World of Dance 2017

1. Kings United

Hailing from India, Kings United, or, known, The Kings are the undisputed champions. When they burst into dance, they go all-in, bringing forth a barrage of funk-fueled dance moves.

They are the winners of the 3rd season of the show and are the first Indian group to gain international recognition in the West. Rightfully deserved, as The Kings are simply a force to be reckoned with!

The Kings' Final Routine is an Action Movie Live on Stage - World of Dance World Finals 2019

Are These the Best World of Dance Acts?

Do you agree with our list, or do you think it could have been done differently? One thing’s for sure, however, and that is that all these crews are phenomenal on stage.

If you’d like to hire top-quality entertainment for your next event, then you’ve come to the right place. Call us at (615) 283-0039, and we will gladly assist you!

Talent Recap: Who Are America’s Got Talent Season 14 Finalists

by

Tim Grable
Tim Grable founded The Grable Group.The Grable Group is an international event and entertainment company.In addition to managing the schedules of our speakers, comedians artists and entertainers, we handle their literary, commercial, film/TV, social media and licensing opportunities.
Latest posts by Tim Grable (see all)

It all comes down to this.

After 16 weeks of exhilarating competition, “America’s Got Talent” is coming to an end, and now everyone knows the name of this year’s champion is Kodi Lee.

For their last chance to blow America away, America’s Got Talent season 14 finalists put out all the stops and showed everyone why they deserve a spot in the finale.

Keep reading to learn more about the top 10 best acts from the show and their performance in what judge Simon Cowell called “the best finale we’ve ever had.”

Who Are America's Got Talent Season 14 Finalists

1. Benicio Bryant, Singer

Benicio Bryant, the teenage singer/songwriter who has been a fan of AGT ever since he was a little boy, got to fulfill his dream of singing in the AGT finales.

For his last act, the insanely-talented young singer chose to perform an original song called “Six Strings (Because of You)” accompanied only by the sound of a guitar.

Many said this was a great call because it allowed his incredible voice to stand out even more.

Do you agree?

Benicio Bryant Sings NEW Original Song, "Six Strings (Because Of You)" - America's Got Talent 2019

2. Detroit Youth Choir

In its bid to win season 14 of AGT, the Detroit Youth Choir delivered a bold, high-energy rendition of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Can’t Hold Us.”

The 52 members of the group, who range in age from 8 to 18, wowed the crowd with their enthusiasm and determination to “fight till it’s over” -- as they sang on America’s Got Talent Finals.

Although it was a team effort, their act also featured a few solo acts, which gave several different students a chance to showcase their unique talent. Take a look:

AMAZING! Detroit Youth Choir Sings "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore - America's Got Talent 2019

3. Emanne Beasha, Opera Singer

Throughout the competition, Emanne Beasha stunned everyone with her powerful vocals and confident stage presence.

The young singer who turned 11-years old on the exact day when AGT announced its big winner said that “if I were to win that would be the best birthday present ever.”

After her magnificent rendition of “La Mamma Morta,” her dream of winning might as well come true.

Take a look at her final performance captured in the video below. Did you think she deserves to take home the $1 Million Prize?

INCREDIBLE Child Opera Singer Emanne Beasha STUNS With "La Mamma Morta" - America's Got Talent 2019

4. Kodi Lee, Singer

Kodi Lee has been one of the judges’ favorites ever since his audition, and it’s safe to say he lived up to everyone’s expectations with his final touching performance.

The soulful singer who is blind and has autism delivered an awe-inspiring rendition of Freya Ridings’ “Lost Without You” -- and there wasn’t a single dry eye in the room.

“I think Season 14 is the season of Kodi Lee and if I had to predict, you are going to walk away with a $1 million,” said Howie Mandel, while Simon Cowell called Kodi’s performance “one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.”

Watch his emotional wining performance from America’s Got Talent season 14 in the video below.

Kodi Lee Brings AGT's Most Emotional Performance With "Lost Without You" - America's Got Talent 2019

5.  Light Balance Kids, Light up Dance Group

Light Balance Kids is a Ukrainian dance group which consists of 13 extremely talented dancers between the ages of 11 and 14.

In the finals of AGT, 2019 edition, they performed a fun, glowing light-up dance act that showcased their creativity.

Set to Jason Derulo’s “Kiss the Sky” and DNCE’s “Cake by the Ocean,” their fun, whimsical routine matched their youthfulness perfectly.

Even judge Simon Cowell, who has not always been the most supportive of the group, called it their best performance in the competition. Check it out in the video below:

WOAH! Light Balance Kids Dance In Glowing Fast Food Costumes! - America's Got Talent 2019

6. Voices Of Service Quartet

Voices of Service is a singing quartet made up of active-duty Army military members and veterans.

With their touching performances, the group aims to bring the healing power of music to soldiers and others who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

On the finale of AGT, they did just that -- prompting tears from judges Julianne Hough and Gabrielle Union, who called them “instruments of healing.”

Watch the quartet’s emotionally-charged rendition of Leona Lewis’ “Footprints in the Sand.” Chances are; you’ll be struggling to hold back your tears as well.

Military Members Voices of Service STUN With "Footprints In The Sand" - America's Got Talent 2019

7. Ryan Niemiller, Comedian

The only comedian to make it this far into America’s Got Talent season 14, Ryan Niemiller won the judges and the audience over with his authenticity and his one-of-a-kind sense of humor.

For his last chance to impress America, Ryan joked about everything from being a “cripple threat” and his disability (he was born with a congenital birth defect) to adjusting to life after fame.

Watch his hilarious performance in the video below.

Ryan Niemiller: Indiana Comidian "Cripple Threat" KILLS Finals Act! | America's Got Talent 2019

8.  Tyler Butler-Figueroa, Violinist

The 11-year-old violinist dazzled everyone not only with his incredible skills as a musician but also with his strength to fight for his life.

Tyler managed to beat cancer after being diagnosed with leukemia at age four. So for his final performance on America’s Got Talent, he decided to pay tribute to all survivors with an emotional rendition of “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child.

Watch it in the video below.

Violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa Performs "Survivor" By Destiny's Child - America's Got Talent 2019

9. V. Unbeatable, Acrobatic Dance Group

The Indian group has consistently delivered some of the most breathtaking performances from season 14. However, what they did for the finale of the show took things to the next level.

Their final performance paid tribute to the group’s founder “Vikas” who tragically died in a rehearsal accident -- and featured unforgettable flips, high-energy choreography, and spectacular stunts.

The judges were blown away. “It is the most exciting danger act on AGT. The V stands for victory,” said judge Howie Mandel.

Watch the group’s jaw-dropping performance in the video below. Do you think they’re unbeatable?

V. Unbeatable: Indian Group BLOW The Judges Away In Final Performance | America's Got Talent 2019

10. Ndlovu Youth Choir

Ndlovu Youth Choir started as an after-school activity but slowly turned into an outstanding professional ensemble that offers hope and opportunity for children who come from disadvantaged communities.

On America’s Got Talent, the choir was praised for their talent, determination, self-discipline, and also for their positive way of looking at the world.

The group brought their infectious optimism and exuberance to the finals as well and ended the show with a vibrant, high-spirited performance.

Their spin on “Africa” by Toto had the audience dancing out of their seats. What a fabulous way to end an incredible finale! Take a look:

Ndlovu Youth Choir Puts South African Spin On "Africa" by Toto - America's Got Talent 2019

The One Thing America’s Got Talent Season 14 Finalists Had in Common

There’s no denying that all the acts featured in the finale of the show represent world-class entertainment, the kind that can delight any audience.

If that’s the kind of entertainment you want at your next event as well, then we can help!

There are over 1,400 amazing entertainers featured in our portfolio (including artists, comedians, magicians, musicians, dance groups, acrobats and keynote speakers).

So, if you’re looking for the best entertainment, make sure to get in touch with us at 615 283 0039. We’re always happy to hear from you.

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