Vital Ideas from NACE Experience 2015

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By Applause Productions

Each year professionals in the catering and event industry gather to communicate, celebrate, and educate themselves on the latest and greatest innovations in their profession. This year’s NACE Experience 2015,  held in Scottsdale, Arizona, didn’t disappoint. For those of you who were unable to attend, here are some vital ideas that will help you create a fantastic event.

V__8E2F1. Keeping Customers Loyal: In a valuable keynote presentation, marketing expert Jackie Huba tells businesses to treasure their loyal customers and not spend a disproportionate amount of time seeking new ones. The 1 percent base of customers who stay loyal are worthy of your total energy. Give them opportunities to talk about what you are doing, stay connected with them, and remember that word of mouth is the best tool any good business can use.

2. Culinary Trends: Moderated by the illustrious Chef Egg, attendees were educated by 4 preeminent chefs in today’s most effective trends in cuisine. The primary of which is the use of local produce and age-old techniques for healthy and delicious cooking. Some chefs even have access to their own gardens on resort properties. Additionally, use of a Sous Vide Precision Cooker is gaining popularity once again. This lengthy and consistent process, which was used more than 100 years ago, allows for incredible uniformity for large groups without diminishing food value or taste.

CC3. Stay Focused: Creative business owners were reminded by celebrity designer Colin Cowie to stay focused on both tasks and theme as they work to create spectacular events. Whether planning a wedding for 50 or a grand gala for 5,000, stimulate the 5 senses and you will have success.

How to Make Your Casino Night a Winner

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Applause Productions and Entertainment

You’ve decided to have a Casino Party event. Now is the time to book all of the necessary talent. But, you want it to be the ultimate in fun and entertainment. Lucky for you, there are many ways to make your casino night a winner.

vegas1. Add Costumed Greeters. Who wouldn’t want to add beauty to an event? Hiring showgirl greeters to set the stage as your guests enter is the perfect way to break the ice and begin the party. In today’s social media driven society, a few photos with costumed showgirls is not only a bonus, but also one of the most coveted mementos.

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2. Add an Elvis Impersonator. Bringing the King to your event just steps up your game to a whole new level. This entertainer can not only do meet and greet, but also perform classic songs while interacting with guests. They might even believe they’ve transported to Las Vegas as they hear the iconic sound of “All Shook Up” or “Jailhouse Rock.”

IMG_97153. Add a Las Vegas Floor Show. Delight your guests with a full house of entertainment from the casino to greeters and Elvis, to a theme show complete with live band, singers, and choreographed dance routines. Whether its the dazzling costumes, or incredible talent, your attendees will feel like they’ve been dealt a royal flush.

Live Entertainment that Comes Alive

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Applause Productions and Entertainment

Today’s audiences are sophisticated. They demand more unique entertainment that stuns a crowd with the “Wow Factor.” To surpass any event planner’s expectations, it is essential that companies hire live entertainment that comes alive. Luckily, there are several options that can help create a party that no one will soon forget.

Mari edit1. Theme parties with glamorous costuming, vintage props, and stunning venues continue to be popular. However, the addition of truly interactive entertainers is becoming the norm. This might include greeters who pose as party guests, singers who croon to specific audience members, or dancers who teach their choreography to willing participants. With these additions, guests will experience the entertainment rather than simply viewing it.

1Wed-1572. Iconic movies and television shows continue to entice planners with their popularity. Whether it’s James Bond or a best-selling Disney feature like Frozen, event executives are harnessing the value of these well-loved characters. With the added benefit of familiarity, audience members of all ages and experiences resonate with these particular entertainment options. Further ornamentation of LED lighting, décor, and signage combine with powerful entertainers to culminate in a fantasy experience for guests.

DJ3. DJs that become VJs, because they use videos that create a visual display of the music, are a growing option. Not only does this exciting twist on traditional DJ services allow for exciting engagement from the guests, but it offers social media and interaction experiences for 21st century audiences. During the course of the event, these DJs can use videos to spark games and other teambuilding activities as they help invigorate the party.

 

 

 

How to Use Entertainment Successfully for Corporate Events

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Applause Productions and Entertainment

Event planners across the country are once again booking their yearly calendars. Whether a vintage, formal, or themed event, the keys to good planning are always the same. The following tips will help as you discover how to use entertainment successfully for corporate events.

aerial-bartender1. What is the purpose? For talent to be effective, you must first decide upon its purpose. Decide whether your event needs entertainment that is central to the evening, or that which is merely an icebreaker or a welcoming, spotlight feature. A theme show, band or DJ is an excellent choice when entertainment is a key aspect; however, greeters, an aerial bartender, or a walk-around magician is better suited for events that only need an effective thread of talent.

2. Who is the audience? It is critical that you understand who will attend the event so that you can best address their expectations. Knowing your age group and entertainment sophistication will help guide your booking decisions. A crowd filled with Millenials will most likely respond well to an interactive presentation with LED lighting, high-powered music, and experiences that pop on social media. In contrast, large events using vintage themes are typically more formal and might excite a more diverse crowd.

3. What are the time and space considerations? As you look to hire your entertainment, be sure that your venue is suitable in terms of physical space, time of the year, and recurring social events in a particular area. There’s nothing worse than having an outdoor wedding, without a contingency plan, and entertainment that suddenly won’t fit into the space provided. No planner wants to change dates after having everything planned, including talent contracts, to accommodate pre-existing events on a city’s social calendar. Be sure to check all event calendars and your contracts.

Hot Themes for Holiday Events in 2014-15

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This year Santa has plenty of surprises in his bag. Traditional holiday entertainment always pleases even the most sophisticated crowd, but don’t forget about specialty entertainment that will make your Christmas party unforgettable. Here are the season’s hot themes for holiday events in 2014-15.

1. Great Gatsby/20s. By popular demand, the 1920s Gatsby Themed event maintains top billing once again this year. With its extensive, luxurious costuming, period-appropriate music, and sparkling staged entertainment throughout, it’s no wonder this show still thrills. This theme can be highly ornamented with additional acts, which only strengthens its entertainment value.

2. Brazilian. Hot on the heels of a successful and exciting World Cup,

everyone is riding the Brazilian wave to the entertainment stage. This robust and extensive offering includes a spicy mixture of Samba dancers with instructors, Latin bands, cigar rollers, muscle cars, fire entertainers, and only the finest Brazilian acts. It’s ok…let your guests feel the heat.

3. Holiday Performers. From Santa to choirs, holiday greeters to Renaissance singers, the entertainment associated with a traditional holiday gathering is timeless. Add a Flair Bartender and create a visual appeal that is exciting and quite novel to many party attendees. In fact, this easy addition lights up the evening no matter how grand or intimate your setting is. 

As the Entertainment Season Begins, Smart Planners Are on the Cutting Edge

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Applause Productions and Entertainment

It may be August, but as corporate event planners know, the season is about to explode. This is the perfect opportunity to ignite an event that will leave a powerful impression. Classic entertainment never disappoints, but smart planners are also able to use cutting edge entertainment as never before.

1. Technology-integrated Entertainment: Using technology for visual displays like light shows and highlighting events has great value. Now, the opportunities to effectively use technology with talent are even greater than ever. Traditional favorites like magicians, caricature artists, and painters are integrating ipads, lasers, and digital printing to captivate audiences and provide an interactive experience. As technology continues to advance, the possibilities are endless.

2. Cirque Reinvented: The popularity of Cirque de Soleil has sparked a love affair with all things acrobatic. While the trend used to focus on bizarre and quirky entertainers, the current buzz word is beauty. This includes the elegant and gravity-defying use of silks, contortionists, and aerial entertainers dressed in vibrant color. The visual spectacle always delights audiences, especially as they enter an event.

3. Truly Interactive Entertainment: The best events always make guests want to get up and dance, but now the trend is to make your participants the entertainers themselves. Using professionally-trained and exciting dance performers, these guests are taught basic choreography as if they were in their own version of Dancing with the Stars. It’s not only fun, but physically beneficial for your attendees. The culminating event of this experience is an engaging performance by dance professionals.

 

Best Corporate Event Entertainment Ideas

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Applause Productions and Entertainment

The best corporate event entertainment ideas might be trendy, novel, and technologically stunning; however, behind the hype there must be one crucial element…talent. While the expertise might differ, the buzz-worthy artist has spent years perfecting the music, the dance, or the craft behind the performance. Clients are attracted to the “wow factor” and power that these entertainers bring to any event. Here are a few that will not disappoint.

1. Speed Painting. This high-energy and unique display of artistic prowess allows the audience to fully engage with the artist as he creates a memorable painting. As music energizes the crowd, this painter uses color, speed, and a dramatic flair to mesmerize the audience. Corporate planners are particularly captivated by this artist’s ability to customize the brand for a product launch, awards presentation, or fund-raising charity event

 

2. Interactive Mime Entertainment. Mimes are not only an outstanding way to welcome guests to your event, but also a fun and engaging way to signature your event. The art of mime transcends speech and allows people to experience a situation with their own gifted imagination. That’s why this art form is so effective. These mimes will perform a cameo skit that incorporates a message from or about the company. What a brilliant way to communicate a corporate message in a fresh and effective way.

3. Flash Mob. The spontaneity behind a Flash Mob captures the attention and interest of the crowd, especially when the participants are mingling with the guests. Whether well-known, trendy dances like Thriller, Gangnam Style, and Glee cover songs ignite the crowd, or something more specific to the theme of the event, these participatory mobs transform the evening. A typical event becomes transcendent as audience members feel the buzz.

Entertainment Ideas: The Possibilities are Endless

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Applause Productions and Entertainment

Now that the first quarter of 2014 is almost complete, one thing is clear: when it comes to entertainment ideas, the possibilities are endless. Events that are full of vintage elegance or the latest technological capabilities are stunning audiences all around the country. Here are just a few options to whet your appetite:

Everything Old is New Again: This entertainment option celebrates the classic and timeless eras that captured our imagination. From the Golden Age of Hollywood to the sweet innocence of the 1950s, these events allow our cultural heritage to survive, and entice the millennials to experience the greatness. Elegant cabaret singers, classic jazz ensembles decked out in black tie formalwear, or love ballads crooned by Old Blue Eyes himself make this option alive.

International Flavor: Imagine the color, energy, and sizzle of Brazilian or Carnival entertainers for your next event. These heart-stopping dancers, acrobats, and stilt-walkers can bring any theme, concept, or product launch to life. The variety of this option could include Samba dancers, Latin bands, or even an exciting batucada!

 

The Quirky Factor: Just when you thought you’d seen everything, this year’s newest entertainment will surprise even the most experienced event goer. It’s the unexpected aspect of this talent combination that energizes the viewer. Grunge music of the 90s played by jazz trios, or a Western-themed cowboy show that is accompanied by the latest digital video or LED lighting. These experiences are perfect for the event planner or corporate CEO that is a talent connoisseur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avoid Event Planning Mistakes: Hire an Entertainment Company

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Applause Productions & Entertainment

With the new year comes exciting opportunities to create unique and powerful events. Often this requires professional consultants whose experience can ensure that you have the right talent to match your vision. Here are a few tips that will allow you to avoid event planning mistakes.

1. Hire an agency of experts: An A-list event must have professionals who are experienced in event production. They need to know what is popular, trendy, and, simply the best. With years of valuable planning opportunities, the challenges and pitfalls that can occur are anticipated so that the outcome is a creative success.

 

2. Communicate…communicate…communicate clear expectations: Sometimes a client will say, “I want something jazzy,” as they describe the lively, energetic, and interactive event they desire. However, the entertainment company may immediately think  jazz trio, improvisational musicians, or even a group of choreographed dancers. Obviously, the two are not synonymous. It is vital that both the planner and entertainment company are on the same page so that the event will be customized in exactly the right way.

3. Know What You Can Afford: So often, clients want everything, yet their champagne wishes need to be fulfilled using a beer budget. That’s when a planner that knows talent can provide a fun, exciting, and memorable event on a more restricted budget. Be realistic with your expectations and the production may surprise you in its ultimate power and ingenuity.

 

Corporate Entertainment Thank You

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Applause Productions & Entertainment

Whether an intimate party or year-end extravaganza a corporate entertainment thank you may come in many different packages. Successful businesses know how to maintain and improve employee morale. They know that a memorable party with live entertainment is a fantastic way to express gratitude. Likewise, entertainment companies, such as Applause, are grateful to have the opportunities to provide such empowering events. As we look back on 2013, we want to say thanks and remember some of the outstanding productions of the past year.

1. Roaring 20s Year-End Party: Integrated and high-energy live entertainment made this event pop from start to stop.  By including costumed-greeters, live bands, a floor show, and stilt-walking jugglers, guests were transported to the world of the Great Gatsby. Greeters asked for passwords to enter the “Cotton Club,” as they accompanied guests into the main ballroom. Caricature artists, tarot card readers and fortune tellers made guests feel as though they were part of the action. The result?  A fluid, well-choreographed, and an interactive event…plus, a very happy planner.

2.Culinary Industry Conference: Live entertainment under the beautiful Arizona sky set this production apart from many others this season. A beautiful resort terrace set the stage, as Taiko drummers, a German polka band, a British string ensemble, and Belgian musicians highlighted the international affair. Talent and food worked together to create a multi-sensory delight. Strategic positioning, lighting, and timing allowed the acoustic sounds to blend a savory atmosphere of conversation and culinary favorites. Bon appetite!

3. Unique convention entertainment: Home on the range doesn’t necessarily apply to most big-city convention centers, but in this case it did. Dancing saloon girls, honky-tonk piano players, a singing cowboy on horseback, and an authentic card shark kept guests thoroughly entertained and engaged as they walked the convention floor. The 1880s were alive and well in this western city thanks to the live entertainment that transported, delighted, and satisfied all involved.