Let Us Entertain You

Your team is sitting around the table brainstorming the “sizzle” that adds the flavor to the main sessions for your convention. The basics have all been planned; dates and times, length of the sessions, and themes have all been laid out. Keynote speakers are under contract and the sponsorship opportunities are secured. Now, cue the creativity!

It’s time to add unique and entertaining ways to engage the audience which can enhance their experience and possibly reinforce the session’s theme or keynote speaker’s message. But, it can be tricky. It’s so easy to scour the internet for a video to fill time in the schedule. I am certain you can find pre-made content that will make the people laugh, cry, or ponder. But, who wants to continue to watch another screen?

Let’s talk about music. Everyone has a favorite. Most people can remember lyrics from their high school days even though they can’t remember what they had for breakfast. Music unites people in an unexplainable way. Some event planners recommend hiring an amazing band or a stunning singer to get everyone on their feet. This is a familiar option and may include a world-famous group or a local artist. It can span the genre’s from worship to rap, country to heavy metal, classic rock to big band. It affords the event planner a wide range of options.

There are other creative, live elements besides music that you can add to a session. Of course it will depend on the goal your are trying to accomplish and what type of event you are planning, but when you tap into the genius of a creative mind, consider adding one of these live elements to your sessions:

• Acoustic Music. This scaled back, simplistic music is usually done with an acoustic guitar, a singer, and someone to keep the beat; possibly on a box or a single drum.
• Acapella Music. Hearing music sung by a group of people without instruments can be life-changing. Depending on the type of music, some of the singers make sounds similar to instruments or they may “beatbox” to provide a butt-jiggling rhythm to accompany the singers.
• Chamber Music. Hiring a small instrumental group, usually consisting of 4-8 string and/or woodwind instruments, can be a refreshing, different way to entertain the attendees.
• Drum Line. This doesn’t need to include a ton of people. I have seen an amazing drum piece done with 5-6 drummers. It can rock the house and make an impact on an audience like no other.
• Spoken Word. Having a talented spoken word artist perform one of their poems live on stage can be a very powerful, motivating experience.
• Comedian. If a snarky comedian isn’t your thing, there are clean comedians out there. Adding a comedian to your line-up can lighten the mood or entertain your attendees, leaving them laughing until their sides hurt.
• Dancers. Our family was drawn into a Christmas church service because at her ripe old age of five, my daughter LOVED the ballerinas. Yes, ballerinas at church. I have also seen contemporary dancers and break dancers on a stage as well.
• Acrobats. I use this term to include artists like aerialists who can perform breath-taking acrobatics using ribbons and hoops in the air and acts like a tumbling tour group who can flip and jump higher than Michael Jordan.
• Actors. This category is as vast as the ocean. It can include skits, dramatic scenes, glow-in-the-dark hand art on a blacked-out stage, improv… the list is endless.

What the list does not include….clowns. I don’t personally recommend clowns unless you are planning a clown convention (and I couldn’t imagine why you would). Nobody wants to see that. Ever.

What other creative main session, live segments have you added? Share it with us or
email me. I love hearing what other are doing as well a sharing my experiences!

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