How to Entertain the Millennials

Applause Productions and Entertainment

No other generation has had a bigger impact on our culture since the Baby Boomers than the technology savvy Millennials. So, for the group of consumers who tweet, like, and post their way through a digital world, what truly captivates them? Well, fear not. In the world of entertainment there is much that can energize and invigorate their imaginations. Here are just a few solutions in the quest to entertain the millennials.

Competition:  This is a generation that perfected the idea of collaboration, in an effort to win that is. So, why not include a competitive aspect to the live entertainment at your next event. One of the best ways to do this is with a Game Show hosted by an enthusiastic MC who involves your attendees. By creating teams and the drive to win, your millennial audience will be thoroughly engaged and entertained.

Niche Entertainment: Highlight those pieces of entertainment that speak specifically to this generation. They like taking a break…especially when it includes exciting entertainment designed to let them relax and enjoy before having to focus on the work at hand. How about including a 3-minute flash mob that gives them a chance to stand up, stretch, and simply enjoy.

Live Streaming: No other generation lives on-line more than the Millennials, so why don’t you make it even easier to share their experiences? Facilitate this by designating an event planner or member of the team to live stream parts of the event. This is an exciting way for your attendees to let the world know how much fun they’re having. You gain the added side benefit of the positive publicity and excitement generated with sharing.

How to Use Entertainment Successfully for Corporate Events

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.