Corporate Event Entertainment Ideas in Nashville

Corporate event entertainment ideas start with the purpose

"Corporate entertainment" covers a lot of very different rooms. A reception for clients has a different purpose from a team celebration. An awards evening needs a different rhythm from an informal mixer.

Before choosing the entertainment, I ask one question: what do you want people to do together?

That answer tells us more than the size of the stage. I like to get the flow of the evening from the client first, then suggest where magic will work well and where it won't.

Strolling magic for networking and receptions

Strolling magic works with a room that's already moving. People arrive, find a drink and gather in small groups. I go from group to group with a short close-up performance, so nobody has to stop and sit down.

If I notice someone standing off in a corner, I'll try to bring them in. The interaction stays personal: a guest can take part, watch from beside a friend, or simply enjoy the reaction. When I move on, the conversation carries on, which is why it works so well as entertainment for a networking reception.

Protect the chance to talk, though. If background music and announcements already have people shouting over one another, adding another activity won't fix that.

As a rough guide, I can reach about 75 to 100 guests in an hour of strolling magic, and a longer cocktail hour gives me more time with each group. It always depends on the room and the schedule.

A stage show after dinner for a shared moment

A stage show gives everyone the same experience at the same time. It works after dinner or at a planned break in the program, when guests are ready to turn toward one place. For an awards night or company celebration, it's often the strongest choice for the after dinner slot.

The important words are after dinner. Dinner is the worst time for magic: people are locked into eating, and the show ends up taking a back seat.

A good introduction helps. So does knowing what comes right before and after the show. If an awards presentation runs long, agree on a plan for the performance window instead of squeezing the show into whatever minutes are left.

For larger shows, I need a platform (about 10 by 10 feet is a comfortable minimum) and a double-ear headset microphone so my hands stay free. Above roughly 400 to 500 guests, I recommend a camera team projecting the show onto screens.

A formal close-up show for smaller groups

A formal close-up show is another option. Guests sit together, and the magic happens at a table right in front of them. It has the focus of a show and the intimacy of close-up magic.

For a small group, as a rough guide under about 15 people, I usually recommend this over strolling. With so few guests, everyone gathers around the moment I start anyway, and it turns into a show.

It works at larger events too. Toward the end of the evening, some clients have me set up at a table for formal shows of about 20 minutes, so small groups can come over for a more in-depth experience. Make sure the seating lets everyone see the details.

Matching the entertainment to the people in the room

None of these corporate event entertainment ideas suits every audience. For client appreciation events, think about how the entertainment supports conversation with your guests. For employee appreciation, ask whether the team would rather mingle or share a show.

You can also combine formats. At corporate events I'll often do about an hour of strolling magic during the cocktail hour, then a 30 to 45 minute show after dinner, before the awards.

Whatever the format, the material has to suit a work audience. There's no sexual humor or innuendo in my shows, and nothing meant to embarrass anyone. My job is to make the person who hired me look good.

Some companies ask for custom magic built around a product launch, so mention that early. If your event is a December party, my corporate holiday party guide covers seasonal planning.

Planning Nashville corporate entertainment: what to send me

You don't need to arrive with the format already decided. A few details give us a starting point:

• The date and the venue, in Nashville or wherever your event is
• An approximate guest count
• A rough running order, including dinner, speeches and awards
• What the gathering is for and who will be there

You can read more about my work as a corporate magician in Nashville. When you're ready, send me your date, venue and guest count, and we'll choose a format that belongs at your event.