How to Choose the Perfect Entertainment for Your Conference (Without Regretting It)

Published on: February 6, 2025

The One Decision That Can Make or Break Your Conference for Event Planners

You’ve booked the venue, locked in speakers, and finalized catering—but now comes the toughest decision: choosing entertainment.

Do you go with a motivational speaker? A comedian? A musical act? Or something completely unexpected (looking at you, aerial acrobats at finance conferences)?

The wrong choice? People check their phones.
The right choice? Attendees rave about your event for years.

Event entertainment plays a vital role in creating memorable and engaging experiences for attendees. According to industry insights, well-planned entertainment can significantly enhance audience engagement and event satisfaction. This guide will help you avoid regrets and make the right choice for your audience, budget, and goals.

Step 1: Know Your Conference Attendees

Before booking entertainment, answer these questions:

✔️ Who is attending? (Executives, employees, industry professionals?)

✔️ What’s the age range? (What’s hilarious to Gen Z might flop with Baby Boomers.)

✔️ What’s the industry culture? (Tech events may love an improv group or game show, while a legal conference may prefer a polished keynote comedian.)

Understanding the preferences and expectations of your conference attendees is key to selecting entertainment that will resonate with them.

🎭 Example:

• A finance industry audience might prefer clean, intelligent humor over slapstick comedy.
• A marketing or creative industry might enjoy interactive or high-energy acts like improv or digital magic.

Step 2: Align with Your Event’s Goals

Entertainment should enhance your event’s purpose, not distract from it. Match the act to your goal:

🎯 Goal: Inspire & Motivate → Book:

• Keynote speaker with humor
• Stand-up comedian with an industry focus
• TED-style talks from industry disruptors

🎯 Goal: Boost Energy & Engagement → Book:

• Interactive improv comedy
• Game show-style entertainment
• High-energy music or dance act

🎯 Goal: Make Networking Fun → Book:

• Roving Magicians
• Mentalist/mind reader
• Roaming performers

Ensure that the entertainment aligns with the overall conference theme to create a cohesive and immersive experience for attendees.

📍 Pro Tip: Booking entertainment that reinforces key takeaways from your conference helps with engagement AND retention.

Step 3: Match Entertainment to Your Event Format

The format of your event determines what kind of entertainment will work best:

Choosing the best conference entertainment ideas for your event format can significantly enhance attendee engagement and satisfaction.

🎤 Example:A full-day conference needs entertainment that re-energizes attendees (like comedy or music after lunch). Meanwhile, a networking night benefits from roaming acts (like a mentalist moving through groups).

Incorporate Corporate Event Entertainment Ideas

Incorporating corporate event entertainment ideas into your conference can elevate the overall experience and leave a lasting impression on attendees. When selecting entertainment options, consider the company culture, event theme, and attendee demographics to ensure a cohesive and engaging experience.

🎤 Popular Corporate Event Entertainment Ideas:

• Live Music Performances: Whether it’s a jazz band during dinner or an energetic cover band for the evening, live music can set the perfect tone for your event.
• Interactive Workshops: Hands-on activities like cooking classes, art workshops, or team-building exercises can engage attendees and provide a break from traditional sessions.
• Comedy Shows: A well-timed comedy act can lighten the mood and keep attendees entertained. Choose a comedian who can tailor their material to your industry for maximum impact.

These activities can be tailored to fit the company’s brand and vision, providing a unique and memorable experience for attendees. By thoughtfully incorporating these entertainment ideas, you can ensure your corporate event stands out and resonates with your audience.

Explore Interactive and Immersive Experiences

Interactive and immersive experiences are becoming increasingly popular in conference entertainment. These experiences allow attendees to engage with the event on a deeper level, creating a more memorable and impactful experience.

🌟 Examples of Interactive and Immersive Experiences:

• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): Transport your attendees to another world with VR headsets or enhance their reality with AR applications. These technologies can be used for product demos, virtual tours, or even interactive storytelling.
• Escape Rooms: Challenge your attendees with a themed escape room. This activity promotes teamwork and problem-solving while providing a fun and engaging experience.
• Interactive Games: Incorporate games that require participation, such as trivia contests, scavenger hunts, or digital quizzes. These can be tailored to your event theme and encourage networking and collaboration.

By integrating these interactive and immersive experiences, you can create a unique and engaging atmosphere that keeps attendees talking long after the event ends.

Step 4: Set a Realistic Budget (Without Breaking the Bank)

Entertainment budgets vary wildly, from $2,000 for a local comedian to $50,000+ for a celebrity speaker. Effective event planning involves setting a realistic budget for entertainment to ensure a successful and memorable conference.

💡 Typical Conference Entertainment Costs:

• Comedians & Speakers: $2,000 – $25,000
• Magicians & Mentalists: $3,000 – $15,000
• Musicians & Bands: $5,000 – $30,000
• A-List Talent: $50,000+

📢 Budget-Friendly Tip: Consider rising-star talent who have corporate experience but aren’t yet mainstream.

Step 5: Vet the Performer (No Surprises Allowed!)

Before signing a contract, make sure you:

✅ Watch Videos: Check their recent performances at similar events.

✅ Read Reviews: Ask for testimonials from corporate clients.

✅ Request a Pre-Event Call: Ensure their humor/style aligns with your company culture.

✅ Confirm Tech Requirements: Don’t book a live band if your venue has strict noise restrictions!

✅ Ensure Corporate Event Experience: Ensure the performer has experience with corporate events to avoid any surprises and ensure a professional performance.

🚨 Red Flags:

❌ If they have no corporate event experience

❌ If they say “I just wing it”

❌ If they have a history of controversial material that could alienate attendees

❌ If their past event footage shows low audience engagement (no laughs, no energy)

📍 Example Fail: One company hired a magician who made the CEO “disappear”—but the real trick was how fast attendees left the room.

Step 6: Make the Conference Entertainment a Highlight

📢 Don’t let entertainment be an afterthought! Promote it to build hype:

📅 Before the Event:

✅ Announce the entertainment in emails & social media

✅ Tease it with behind-the-scenes content

✅ Get employees involved in choosing the act (polls on LinkedIn work well)

🎉 During the Event:

✅ Encourage live tweeting & hashtag use

✅ Offer VIP meet-and-greets for top-tier attendees

📸 After the Event:

✅ Share highlights & clips to keep engagement going

✅ Gather feedback to improve the entertainment lineup for your next event and keep attendees excited.

Stay Ahead with Event Entertainment Trends

Staying ahead of event entertainment trends is crucial to creating a memorable and impactful conference experience. By keeping up with the latest trends, you can ensure your event remains fresh and engaging.

🔍 Current Trends in Event Entertainment:

• Technology Integration: The use of virtual and augmented reality, live streaming, and interactive apps can enhance the attendee experience and provide new ways to engage with content.
• Sustainability and Social Responsibility: Many events are now incorporating eco-friendly practices and charitable elements. This could include using sustainable materials, reducing waste, or partnering with local charities.
• Personalization: Tailoring the event experience to individual attendees through personalized agendas, interactive sessions, and customized content can make the event more relevant and engaging.

By staying ahead of these trends, event planners can create a unique and engaging experience that sets their conference apart from others.

Leverage Conference Entertainment Ideas with Technology

Technology can be a powerful tool in conference entertainment, allowing event planners to create unique and engaging experiences that would not be possible otherwise.

💡 Leveraging Technology in Conference Entertainment:

• Virtual and Augmented Reality: Use VR and AR to create immersive experiences that captivate attendees. This could include virtual tours, interactive product demos, or augmented reality games.
• Live Streaming: Stream keynote speakers, panel discussions, and entertainment acts to reach a broader audience. This also allows remote attendees to participate and engage with the event.
• Social Media Integration: Encourage attendees to share their experiences on social media using event-specific hashtags. This can increase engagement and create a sense of community among attendees.

By leveraging technology in conference entertainment, event planners can create a more engaging and memorable experience for attendees, ensuring the event stands out in their minds.

Conclusion: The Right Choice = A Standout Conference

Choosing the perfect conference entertainment doesn’t have to be stressful—just follow these steps:

✅ Know your audience (Who are they? What do they love?)
✅ Align entertainment with event goals (Inspiration, energy, networking)
✅ Match the act to the event format (Virtual? Hybrid? In-person?)
✅ Stay within budget (Get creative if needed!)
✅ Vet your performer (No surprises!)
✅ Promote entertainment in advance (Build anticipation!)

📍 Need help booking entertainment? Funny Business Agency has the best comedians, speakers, magicians, and unique acts for conferences.

Let’s Make Your Event Unforgettable – Get a Custom Entertainment Plan Now!