We are starting with a question addressed to all event planners out there:
How many times did you plan to surprise your guests when designing an event?
Want to Get Ahead in The Event Game? Surprise Your Guests in These 3 Ways
We would bet this is the case for almost all of you who are in charge of the difficult task of managing a large gathering. You do not just have to make sure everything works as planned; you also need to offer a great time to all guests, if possible.
By planning around the surprise factor, you are almost guaranteed to win people over, arrest their attention, and create unique moments for them.
In case you want to go even further with your event planning skills, here are three suggestions on how you can bring the surprise element to the party.
1. Curiosity Never Killed the Cat
If you have an exciting headliner on your event promotional materials, this would be enough for potential attendees to look forward to the event. That speaker or performer’s reputation, qualities, and act would be enough to drive interest.
However, maybe you do not invite a headliner, or they are not so well-known to most of your audience. In this case, you have to fill in the expectation part with tidbits and teasers that could make guests curious, thus enticing them to get invested.
A strategic move on your part would be to have a ‘mystery’-based approach. This implies that – before the event – you will provide constant teasers and hidden clues related to either the theme of the event or to the speakers/entertainers.
You could do that via email campaigns, targeted social media or even via mailing services (if your budget allows for it).
By ‘feeding’ your audience with the unknown factor, they will actually feel engaged in the whole process because they would need to make an active effort, so their investment will come naturally.
Note: Make sure the said effort does not ask for much of their time.
2. Make Them Part of a Bigger Picture
Want to surprise your guests but also offer them real value?
This is manageable if you pick a cause to promote throughout your event.
The idea is that you pick a theme and then choose a related cause – preferably a local one – to engage your guests in.
Since people love to be a part of something bigger, impactful and relevant, offering them the occasion to contribute to a cause can come as a welcome surprise.
For instance, if your company is involved in the automotive industry, you could link an event to environmental causes. You could even work out the decorum in this sense – go for recycled materials and specify this detail to your audience – they will surely feel they are taking part in a unique initiative.
Not to mention, this also offers you the perfect opportunity to showcase your company’s environmentally-friendly efforts.
3. Jack up Classic Entertainment Solutions
Entertainment is the area you can most adapt to your needs. There are lots of performers out there who are creative and can single-handedly raise the bar at any event.
However, another idea would be that you can come up with a unique entertainment formula.
Let’s take the ‘night of comedy and magic’ concept. Usually, you would invite a magician and a stand-up comedian. Alternatively, a performer who masters both comedy and illusionism.
However, how about upping the game with an entirely different kind of act?
Here’s our recipe for success: take a magic comedy master like Eric Jones and add a vocal virtuoso like Evie Clair.
Eric Jones is well-known for his sleight-of-hand skills delivered with high energy and unmatched flair.
Evie Clair, on the other hand, can provide an awe-inspiring vocal act.
This way, you can jack up the classic entertainment formula of ‘a night of comedy and magic’ and include the surprise factor.
Surprise Your Guests – A New Event Policy
Indeed, you can take the suggestions above and come up with your own dazzling concepts that’ll completely take everyone by surprise.
Whatever your mind creates, we are here to make it happen, so make sure you explore our vast list of entertainers.
Let 2019 be the year when you surprise your guests like never before.
So, you have a corporate event coming up, right? You have already figured out the budget, found an excellent venue, and are confident that the food and the activities you have lined up are going to please your guests.
Moreover, now the only thing keeping you away from planning an event that will be the talk of the town for months is the entertainment.
To help you out, we have rounded up some of the best entertainment ideas for events which stand out from the rest.
Dazzle Your Guests with an Unexpected Speed Painting Act
Speed painting is best described as art against the clock. Artists give themselves a limited time – which can range from a few minutes to a couple of hours – to complete a painting.
It is both an exciting and thrilling experience to watch the speed painter try to create a masterpiece while time is quickly running out. It is a rush, and the result is always a total surprise!
If this is an idea you think is right for your upcoming event, then we have an excellent recommendation for you. Her name is Jessica Haas, and she is the first female speed painter in America.
What’s more, she holds the record for as the fastest performance painter in the industry.
If you are curious to see her talent in action, be sure to check out her performance on The Gong Show where she competed before a panel of celebrity judges including Jeniffer Aniston and Jack Black:
Go for a Fully-Customized Circus Performance Extravaganza
Whether you are looking for dramatic aerial entertainment, high-energy belly dancers or fire dancers who will keep guests at the edge of their seats, nothing is impossible if you decide to book Beyond Wings.
To get a better sense of what they can do on stage to wow your guests, here are a few of the props and skills they employ to put on a hypnotizing show every single time:
- fire fans,
- fire hoops,
- aerial silks,
- fire poi,
- fire eating,
- circus stunts
- all types of music and dance.
This is one of those entertainment ideas for events which are going to take things to the next level. And the best part is that you can work closely with their artistic team to create an experience that is in perfect sync with your event’s goals and needs.
You Cannot Go Wrong with a Live Shadow Performance
Ever thought of giving guests a unique chance to see some of the most talented dancers in the world transform their bodies into seemingly impossible images – live?
Well, it is possible thanks to Catapult Entertainment, a one-of-a-kind shadow-dance company with extensive experience in performing at corporate events.
As far as entertainment ideas for events go, you will be hard-pressed to find a more beautifully entertaining option than this. Also, you should know they offer three simple show options, so you will have no trouble finding one that is right for your event.
You can read more about their offering here.
Which One of These Entertainment Ideas for Events Caught Your Eye?
Any of the ideas mentioned in this article are going to add flair to your event and turn it into a memorable and exciting experience for your guests.
So, if you are interested in booking one of the acts we have included here, all you have to do is get in touch with us as soon as possible.
Great entertainment books fast, so it is best to take care of this aspect sooner rather than later. We look forward to hearing from you.
