The Grable Group

Talent Buyer, Booking Agency and Management for Keynote Speakers, Virtual Speakers Bureau, Comedians, Unique Artists and Entertainers for both Live and Virtual Events.

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Top Benefits of Hiring a Online Emcee for Your Virtual Event

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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 May 15th, 2020 at 06:39 am

With virtual events becoming more and more commonplace, organizations are turning towards new ways in which they can entertain guests through an online medium.

Often, the biggest concerns with online events are that they aren’t engaging enough or that they don’t pack the same punch as an in-person event.

On the contrary, a virtual event can be quite engaging, and this can be achieved with the help of a professional – an emcee who can steer your event and maintain your audience entertained throughout the entire run.

To prove this point, we will highlight a few of the benefits a online emcee can bring to virtual events.

jeff civillico, Top Benefits of Hiring a Online Emcee for Your Virtual Event

A Virtual Emcee Sets the Stage

An emcee’s work starts even before the event begins, as there are many preparations to be made before starting the broadcast.

Similarly to how rehearsals are done for in-person events, the emcee works with the technicians to see if everything is in order on a technical side.

The emcee then works with other guest performers who will be present throughout the event, making sure everything is in order on their part.

Before the event even begins, you can expect people to show up in chatrooms; the emcee can also take the time to do a pre-event instruction, briefing the audience about how the event is going to pan out and answering any questions they might have.

Jeff Civillico has extensive Television and On-Camera experience.  Jeff is already known in the corporate industry as a “Double Threat Emcee” with an equal skill level on-stage and on-camera.

Jeff Civillico: Corporate Emcee/Hosting Demo Reel

One Cohesive Virtual Event

With a online emcee at the helm, the entire event feels more like a connected experience or being a source of information for those who might have tuned in a bit later.

The emcee keeps everyone on the same page by offering the audience a foreword about any activity which might come up or announcing any guest performer who might take the mic.

This helps to seamlessly transition from one activity to another, without making it seem forced or without having to do any harsh cuts or broadcast interruptions.

It might not seem much, but not everyone from the audience will know the name of the performers.

And it will be beneficial if someone was there to do a brief introduction for every speaker, so there wouldn’t be any confusion.

Maintains a High Energy in the Audience

Naturally, virtual events aren’t as engaging as in-person events, as there will always be a disconnect between the viewer and the event since the viewer can only experience it through a computer screen.

Because of this, the viewer’s experience needs to be enhanced, and constant engagement is recommended to keep the audience invested.

The virtual event might go on for multiple hours, which some viewers might perceive as long-winded, and they would be tempted to put the broadcast on mute and let it sit idly in a different browser tab, or they might leave entirely.

The emcee is there to provide them with small entertaining bits that can keep the ball rolling.

Like for example, even something as insignificant as asking people where they’re tuning from may lead to a cascade of comments filling up the comment section. It’s energy like this that gives people extra reasons to stick around until the event’s end.  

Most comedians can only entertain with a live audience. Marty Simpson can customize his material to guarantee that no two events are the same. He uses Improv Comedy to engage your group and make everyone have a great time in a virtual setting.

Virtual Comedy Show with Marty The One Man Party

Find the Best Online Emcee

Don’t let your event go unmoderated. An experienced emcee can steer the event in the right direction at all times and can even make the experience more interesting.

Your virtual event can’t go wrong with a virtual emcee at the helm.

At The Grable Group, we can help you find the right emcee for your online event; all you have to do is to reach out to us at (615) 283-0039, and we will gladly assist you!

3 Reasons Why A Virtual Event Needs A Virtual Meeting Moderator

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)

Last updated on May 9th, 2020 at 07:05 am

Virtual events seem to be the norm in 2020, as they offer people the chance to stay safe and healthy, while at the same time allowing them to spend their time in an entertaining way.

To maximize the potential of a virtual program, you will need a professional to help moderate it.

And in this following article, we will present you with 3 main reasons why your virtual event needs a virtual meeting moderator.

3 Reasons Why A Virtual Event Needs A Virtual Meeting Moderator

1. Your Virtual Event Is Left in Good Hands

It cannot be denied that the internet is very unpredictable, and in the case of a virtual event, there is always the risk of something not going according to plan.

This can lead to a lot of unpleasant experiences for the viewer and can directly affect the event’s retention rate.

When it comes to situations like these, a virtual moderator is a professional who knows how to soften the blow dealt by many uncomfortable occurrences and even turn things around.

A virtual meeting moderator with decades of on-camera and on-stage experience has dealt with unpleasantries before and knows how to act accordingly.

Jeff Civillico has extensive Television and On-Camera experience.  Jeff is already known in the corporate industry as a “Double Threat Emcee” with an equal skill level on-stage and on-camera.  His portfolio is full of past technology clients: AT&T, AT&T Business, Avast, Centrify, Cisco, Emerson Global, Equinix, Fluke Networks, Image Technologies Corp, iModules, Internet Marketing Association, Lightwave Telecom, Netscout, Neustar, Powerschool User Group, Sprint, Vistex, Workday, Workfront, World Wide Technologies, Xactware, and many others.  He’s comfortable on LiveStream platforms like Zoom, Facebook and Instagram Live, Streamyard, BLive, etc.

Jeff Civillico | Corporate Emcee Demo Reel

2. Keeps the Audience Engaged

Despite the fact they are not physically present at the event, it can be argued that virtual audiences are more challenging to deal with than actual live audiences.

The virtual event needs to be engaging so that they feel they’re always a part of it and not left out. While some viewers tend to be more active, there is the silent majority, which is watching.

With the help of a virtual meeting moderator, you can make the event’s experience more palatable for all viewers and assure they won’t click away.

The virtual moderator can bring up all kinds of on-stream activities in which the viewers can participate or can even interact with them directly, by asking questions or having the audience cast votes on what they would like to see next.

3. Can Transmit Your Company’s Message

Since the viewer base is at home, it’s understandable that virtual events are more isolating and may lead to a disconnect between the event’s experience and the viewer.

Because of this, event organizers have a more challenging time reaching out to the audience or communicating a message to them. Sure, you can prompt messages during the stream, or you can have ad breaks, but that doesn’t assure the viewers will be interested to see them.

In the case of ads, they might disenfranchise some of the viewers and may hurt the viewer count.

A good moderator knows how to package your company’s message in a way it feels more digestible so that it doesn’t take away from the event’s experience.

Have a Virtual Meeting Moderator Take Care of Your Next Event

Having someone to moderate your events will ensure the experience will be more impactful than it has been before. And trust us that the difference can be noticed immediately!

In this case, why not book a moderator for your upcoming virtual events?

We can help you find the right one to fit your preferences; all you have to do is to reach out to us at (615) 283-0039, and we will gladly assist you!

6 Tips on How to Create a Successful Virtual Event for Your Company

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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 May 21st, 2020 at 07:57 am

In the current wake of the pandemic, many in-person events are being scrambled, either having to reschedule or made into virtual meetings.

While this happens, many event organizers are switching to virtual programs. This is not a new thing, as many of us have tuned in to a virtual event in one way or another. However, nowadays, it seems like they’re here to stay.

This has got many people asking, what makes a virtual event a success?

In the following article, we will hopefully answer that question. Be sure to keep on reading, as we will give you 5 helpful tips you can use to set up a successful virtual event.

4 Tips on How to Create a Successful Virtual Event for Your Company

1. Research Your Audience

Many things change once you’re on the internet, and the rules for planning a virtual event might be a bit different. For example, the event’s date will not be as easy to set as for an in-person event.

You will soon find out that people may not be at home at a particular hour, or even maybe they are in a different time zone.

This means that while you’re organizing a morning, it might be too early for attendees in other timezones.

In this case, you will have to do a bit of research on your core audience and schedule the event at a time where you will know it’s most convenient.

2. Good Tools Make a Successful Virtual Event

Technology becomes one of the most important aspects of a online event – as it will make or break your audience’s experience.

If you want your event to be broadcast to a live audience, you might want to turn to live streaming software. In this case, you need to do a bit of research and find out which service best suits your needs.

black condenser microphone

As for hardware equipment, the best advice we can give you is to make sure the microphones are in top shape and that they can be heard crystal clear.

A loud, noisy, or otherwise faulty microphone might spell disaster for your event.

3.  Create a Virtual Experience

Virtual Experiences are live, interactive events that are entertaining and engaging alternatives to traditional online programs.  Their focus on direct interaction between the audience and talent, these experiences offer the excitement of live entertainment your remote audience.  Here are a few experiences to consider for your next virtual event.

Interactive Cooking Demos: A list of ingredients will be provided so attendees can literally cook together.
Martha Stewart — TV Personality, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Antoni Porowski — Food & Wine Connoisseur, Netflix’s Queer Eye
Carla Hall — Food Contributor on ABC’s Strahan and Sara & Former Co-Host of The Chew
Patti LaBelle-- Godmother of Soul performing a cooking demo and then singing a few songs

Comedic Conversations
James Corden — Host, CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden
Trevor Noah — Host, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Colin Jost — Co-Anchor, Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update”

Jam Sessions: Words & Music
Keith Urban — Grammy Award-Winning Musician
Leslie Odom, Jr. — Tony Award-Winning Actor & Musician, Hamilton
Sheryl Crow -- Grammy Award-Winning Musician
John Legend -- Grammy and Academy Award-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and pianist

Financial Expert Conversations
Nicole Lapin-- New York Times bestselling author of Rich Bitch and Boss Bitch
Steve Forbes -- Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, authority on economics, finance, and corporate leadership
Richard Quest -- CNN’s foremost international business correspondent
Suze Orman -- Personal finance guru

4. Hire a Professional to Moderate the Event

If you want a successful virtual event, then you will have to work with a professional host.

For larger events, you will soon find out that a virtual meeting moderator or an emcee is a must. You will need their help to generally interact with the audience in a fun and engaging way.

You can hire a comedian or a public speaker, their experience of being on-stage in front of a large number of people usually translates well to an online event.

Jeff Civillico is tech savvy.  There’s a reason why Jeff’s portfolio is full of past technology clients: AT&T, AT&T Business, Avast, Centrify, Cisco, Emerson Global, Equinix, Fluke Networks, Image Technologies Corp, iModules, Internet Marketing Association, Lightwave Telecom, Netscout, Neustar, Powerschool User Group, Sprint, Vistex, Workday, Workfront, World Wide Technologies, Xactware, and many others.  Jeff’s transition to the virtual space has been seamless.  He’s comfortable on LiveStream platforms like Zoom, Facebook and Instagram Live, Streamyard, BLive, etc.

Jeff Civillico: Virtual Graduation & Awards

5. Engagement Is a Must

One of the major hurdles you will be facing is audience-retention. In a virtual environment, people will find many excuses and distractions, which will prevent them from focusing on the event.

If they ever feel like the event is heading towards a snooze, they will jump at the occasion to click out of the event’s window and log onto different websites. Or, since people are at home, there are a handful of other things that might drag them away, such as laundries, phone calls, or having to take care of the kids.

In these cases, the best thing you can do is to have a diverse set of activities scattered throughout the entire event – Q&A sessions, special guests, quizzes.

This way, you give the audience many things to look forward to, and if they won’t be able to tune in for all of them, at least they will know when to drop by to catch their favorite segment.

Colin Cloud’s mind-blowing demonstrations and incredible insights will astound, and mesmerise your audience, embedding your event in their memory, quite probably forever.

Colin Cloud - The Cyber Mentalist

6. Motion Graphics, Holograms, Virtual Environments, Data-Visualisation and More!

PRESENTATION: make a live-hologram of your speaker(s) and turn all your data into 3D futuristic objects.

DISCUSSION: unite speakers from different locations in one common virtual environment

INTERACTIVE: arrange Q&A interaction of audience and a virtual team of holograms.

Your options are as limitless as the imagination of the Freckled Sky team’s creativity…

Build brand identity.  Conduct a virtual demonstration of a new product… conferences, townhalls, presentations, workshops. Invite audience members into a digital-world of their own design.

Freckled Sky Virtual productions, Demo Reel 1

Set to Succeed

We hope the tips we have given you in this article will prove useful to you. Virtual events won’t replace in-person events, but as an event organizer, it’s best to be prepared for both scenarios.

We can help you take your events to the next level and provide you with the support needed to build a successful virtual event.

Be sure to give us a call at (615) 283-0039 or email us, and we will gladly assist you!

How to Engage Your Virtual Attendees: Practical Tips You Should Know

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)

Last updated on May 28th, 2020 at 06:56 am

With social distancing measures in place all over the world, more and more organizations are turning to technology to host virtual events and connect with their audience.

Technology has made many things possible. However, there is no denying that online events have a different kind of energy and dynamic compared to in-person events, which can translate in a lack of engagement.

The good news is that audience engagement is still possible at a live broadcasting or virtual event.

Keep reading to discover a few practical tips which will help you engage your virtual attendees so that you can maximize the impact of your online event.

How to Engage Your Virtual Attendees: Practical Tips You Should Know

Reach out Before the Event Takes Place

This may sound counterintuitive, but interacting with your virtual guests before the virtual event is an effective way to get them invested in your event.

Here are a few ideas to consider:

  • Reach out to your guests to get their input on different discussion topics you’ve prepared for the event. See if there are any talking points they would add to the list.
  • Create a survey to figure out if your audience has any requirements, which will make them feel more comfortable and improve their experience during the event.
  • Encourage them to send in questions they would like the speakers to answer live during the event.

This is how you make attendees feel more involved in the event, which will likely translate into them being more engaged on the day of the actual event, as well.

Provide Multiple Opportunities for Engagement

One of the best ways to engage your virtual attendees is to offer them different ways to participate directly at the event by using interactive features.

For example, you could have a live chat where attendees could ask questions in real-time. The virtual event moderator/host can then choose a few of those questions and read them out loud to the speakers and the general audience.

Or, you could use integrate live polls to have guests choose the next topic of discussion.

Another idea is to reserve a few minutes at the end of the event where guests can weigh in and share their notes or personal experiences related to the topic of the virtual program.

Make sure to announce this at the start of the event so that people have time to write down their ideas.

This way, you avoid catching them off-guard, and you make sure people will pay attention throughout the event.

desk

A Professional Host Can Help You Engage Your Virtual Attendees

Booking a virtual host to moderate the event will help create continuity and hold the attention of your participants, as the conversation moves from one talking point to another.

But that’s not all.

A virtual event host with an energizing presence can encourage guests to interact with each other and ask questions. Also, a host can re-focus the audience’s attention during critical parts of the event.

Finally, by clearly emphasizing key messages, a professional host can help remote audiences get to the heart of every session.

All of this will help drive deeper engagement at your event.

Jeff Civillico Hosts Virtual Graduation & Awards

Jeff Civillico has A LOT of experience hosting live events.  Why does this matter?   All of the same skills that are required to host live events will be required to host virtual events.  Your host needs to be smart, quick on his or her feet, able to segue smoothly between speakers and programs, and most importantly for the virtual medium— your host must be HIGH ENERGY and ENGAGING.  We all know that it will be much more difficult to command attention through a computer screen.

There’s a reason why Jeff’s portfolio is full of past technology clients: AT&T, AT&T Business, Avast, Centrify, Cisco, Emerson Global, Equinix, Fluke Networks, Image Technologies Corp, iModules, Internet Marketing Association, Lightwave Telecom, Netscout, Neustar, Powerschool User Group, Sprint, Vistex, Workday, Workfront, World Wide Technologies, Xactware, and many others.  Jeff’s transition to the virtual space will be seamless.  He’s comfortable on LiveStream platforms like Zoom, Facebook and Instagram Live, Streamyard, BLive, etc.

As you can see, you have a lot to gain by booking a virtual host. And we can help you find the right one for your event. Start browsing now through our portfolio of experienced entertainers, emcees, and public speakers.

Make the Audience Part of the Show

Discover hidden talent in your organization. Book the American Idle Virtual Talent Show and boost morale and togetherness with this interactive virtual event.

A Virtual Talent Showcase

American Idle a Virtual Talent Show with Comedian Rik Roberts

Take advantage of building your team by getting to know each other in a whole new way. This virtual event is facilitated by comedian Rik Roberts.

The voting (optional) will be left up to your group. Whether it is a one-time event, or a multiple week showcase is up to you. Highlight Positivity to Boost Morale Historical times are upon us.

Leaders are challenged to keep their organizations focused and productive. Laughter and camaraderie can reduce stress and build connectivity. This virtual event will accomplish all of those goals and give you a boost when so many are feeling stressed and fearful.

The Host

Rik Roberts has appeared on DryBar Comedy, PureFlix Clean Comedy All-Stars, CMT, TBN, Bananas Family Comedy series and more. He is based out of Nashville, TN. But the beauty of this event is we can all be wherever we currently are hunkered down.

Event Consultation

Schedule an event consultation with American Idle. Together, we will figure out your needs and create an event that will be talked about for years to come. Your employees will create positive memories during this historically difficult time!

You will get tips on what to do to make your event shine.

What’s Next

We live in a time in which the concept of human interaction and connection extends beyond the physical space. Virtual events are likely to become the norm, not just in times of crisis, as the benefits they hold are significant.

Now that you know more about how to engage your virtual attendees, you are better prepared to host successful online events. Feel free to reach out to us at (615) 283-0039 in case you need any further assistance. We’d love to help! Today and in the future.

5 Benefits of Hosting a Virtual Event for Your Team

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)

Last updated on May 6th, 2020 at 06:47 am

Virtual team building activities are much different from the ones made in-person. For starters, not having everyone into one room means your message may not reach everyone’s ears.

However, what might seem like a downside can be used to your advantage, as a virtual event can have many benefits for a team working remotely.

And in this following article, we will explore a few reasons why you might want to try to organize one for your team in the future.

1. Virtual Events Don’t Cost as Much

Both in terms of monetary investments and how much time you need to spend to set it up, the cost of organizing an online event is only a fraction of what’s necessary to set up a live one.

The need to rent space or to book any offices is no longer a concern, as everyone tuning in does it from the comfort of their own homes.

There’s no more need for physical paraphernalia, as everything can be streamed directly to everyone’s screen. For example, as all presentations will be digital, there’s no more need for flyers, notebooks, whiteboards, projectors.

All the money you save can instead be used to enhance your company’s online presence or infrastructure, to suit up for organizing better events in the future.

4 Benefits of Hosting a Virtual Event for Your Team

2. Reinforce the Bond Between the Team Members

With everyone working remotely, it’s understandable that a feeling of alienation may set in, as workmates are no longer spending as much time interacting socially.

For situations like these, a virtual event is what your team needs to get together more often and sometimes even rekindle feelings of camaraderie, which otherwise get lost when everyone’s at home.

You can organize a more lighthearted virtual activity such as a game session to exercise teamwork and employee cohesion. Although people may be hesitant at first, trust us that after a few sessions, they will be asking for more.

3. Events Are More Impactful

E-mails and daily updates can only do as much as send out the basic information, but they frequently lack the impact an event might have.

For example, let’s say an important milestone for the company has been reached. You wouldn’t want to communicate this achievement through an e-mail, as it won’t carry any emotional weight -- and the team won’t feel the same sense of accomplishment.

Even something as an online meetup or role call is enough to ensure everyone is on the same page with what’s going on.

Benefits of Hosting a Virtual Event for Your Team

4. The Team Will Be More Productive

Being at home for extended periods of time leads to monotony, and as the team gets bored, this will eventually be reflected in the quality of their work.

Hosting an online virtual event when everyone is working remotely ensures their experience is diversified.  It also helps to keep burnout in check -- there are many ways in which an event can help them come to work the next day with renewed energies.

For example, hosting a presentation with an experienced professional as a host can help the team learn new things they can apply to their work or a social event can help rekindle competitiveness between the coworkers.

saleforce

5. Bring Everyone Together with a Team-Building Workshop

Consider hosting a virtual team-building juggling workshop for them!  That’s right, Jeff Civillico can teach everyone in your organization how to JUGGLE… well, at least he can try 🙂 All that’s required is 3 pairs of socks, a bit of space, and a good attitude!

This is a great way to bring everyone together and boost morale while working from home.  And best of all, this team-building workshop can be opened up to families as well.  Bond with your team, bond with your family, learn how to juggle and have some FUN!

Jeff CIvillico's Virtual Team Building Workshop for Dscoop

“Jeff Civillico’s team building workshop was probably one of the best investments our organization has made for itself in a long time. Jeff’s energy really brought out the best in my management team!” 

– Lawrence Barnard, Nevada Market President, Dignity Health

“If someone were to say to me ‘hey you’re gonna have a juggler entertain and do a workshop’ I would have said ‘no way, no how’ because my perception is that it’s not going to be something that inspires, or ignites fire or excitement. Totally wrong. It was incredible!”

– Jeff Rust, Corporate Alliance, Co-Founder & CEO

“I had the good fortune of planning our corporate team building event with Jeff, and he was so gracious and accommodating in how he interacted with our team. He taught us how to juggle! I’m no expert, but I’m 1 ball up from what I was before 🙂 We LOVED Jeff! Highly recommended!”

– Jenifer A. Isa, Leisure Sales Manager, Caesars Entertainment

Want to Host a Virtual Event for the Team?

We hope this article has convinced you to give virtual events a go as they will yield incredible benefits for the team.

We highly encourage you even to take them a step further and to offer your team an unforgettable experience by adding professional entertainment in the mix.

At The Grable Group, we have an extensive roster of entertainers, emcees, and public speakers who are very experienced in handling virtual events.

If you are interested to know more, then call us at (615) 283-0039, and we will help you with the arrangements!

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