Entertainment 101
Even if you have had years and years of planning experience, you may end up with a meeting that you have no idea what to do with. You already know that the standard choices–DJs, rock bands, comedians, and tap dancers just aren’t going to do it for them. You need a different approach that they will remember for many years.
Look to the Company for Answers
Sure, it may be a generic kind of product or service company, but there are some places you can go for ideas. For instance, a manufacturing company might make part of their missions statement a comment about creating their products with as little carbon footprint as possible. If they are particularly good at it, and appreciated for it, consider a Native American music and dance group. Paying the original inhabitants of this land to come in and offer their arts is imbued with several layers of thanks.
A particularly difficult situation is where the company has downsized. Again, this does not need to be a death-knell for good entertainment. Living statues are becoming more and more popular, and the right ones can offer an emotional lift.
Another approach to entertainment for a downsized company is letting the participants help take jabs at upper management. Even if they approve of the job those in control are doing, it can still help them deal with the “us and them” problems–and every company has them–in a constructive way. Try an improve group that will take the audience comments and tur them into a skit on the spot.
No doubt there are many other ways to approach the problem of entertainment, but these ideas should get you started.
