DON'T CUT THE ENTERTAINMENT!

If your client hasn’t completely taken entertainment out of the budget, you may be looking for ways to save some money in this area. I have put together some ideas that might help.

Getting a discount – Many entertainers are willing to discount their prices to get the job, especially with the decline in work available and many musicians are getting laid off from their day time gigs. Be aware some Entertainers are raising their asking price expecting that everyone will be on a tight budget and looking for substantial discounts. Using one of your ISES entertainment agents will insure you that you are getting the best possible price. In most cases agents work with entertainers more frequently than event planners. Frequent booking gives them buying power and a better knowledge of what a band or entertainers rock bottom price is. Having said all that, please remember that we are all in the same boat and entertainers are hurting as much as anyone else so be willing to pay a fair price.

Routing, Block Booking or Multiple dates – When booking National or Regional acts ask for bands that are on tour and would be routed through the city in which you are producing an event. This will save you extra money spent on travel expenses. If you are interested in a National act for your private event, ask your agent to try and find a public date in the same or nearby city. This will usually save you some money. Many event planners use local variety bands and entertainers on a fairly regular basis. If you have multiple events that need the same kind of entertainment, negotiate a lower price for committing to use the same band or entertainer for all of your events.

Combining Services – If you use an entertainment company let them bid on other services; Sound, Lights, Staging, Power etc… Most times you will save lots of money.

Up and Coming or Undiscovered talent – Your ISES entertainment company usually has a good idea of what new talent is on the rise and they can help you catch the talent on the way up, before they become a high priced act. Good entertainment companies always have their hands on the pulse of the newest talent for their clients.

Get Sponsors Contributions - Given the current financial frame of mind at many companies, a number of beneficial sponsorships are being axed, with little consideration for ROI and lots of consideration for reducing any variable costs possible. Sponsors are tightening budgets and spending smarter on fewer opportunities. Many companies will be dropping sponsorship of world class events. This creates an opportunity for smaller, single events.

Flexible Dates – You can negotiate a lower price if the event or meeting is during the week rather than on the weekends, and if it is in the daytime rather than in the evenings.

Downsizing – If your client wants to cut entertainment completely out because of the cost, suggest DJ’s, smaller Bands or track acts. Many of you saw Black Violin at Event World. This act had a high level of impact and doesn’t cost a fortune. There are many similar forms of entertainment out there. Suggest a really good four piece band if your client can’t afford the twelve piece horn band they had last year.

Hire a versatile band – There are some really great bands available that can do multiple sets with themes for each. For instance there are bands all over the country that can perform a Country Set in Western attire, a Rock Star Karaoke set, a Seventies Disco Tribute set and an Eighties Tribute set with costumes for each set.

Get Multiple Bids – In rocky times you should always get multiple bids for your entertainment. Your companies bargaining power will increase and you may be able to secure better prices on entertainment and services.

Appeal to Generation G - As companies scramble to control costs, the world is watching and exposing wasteful spending and sloppy practices. Try to appeal to the new Compassion, caring and giving back that is the new status symbol, by using entertainment that doesn’t require big sound systems light systems and tons of power. If you are having a Big National Act at your event consider having a green production using Solar Power. Most people are unaware that the generation of electricity is the largest source of industrial air pollution. Every year millions of tons of CO2 are emitted into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and poor air quality. Now you can utilize the renewable energy sources of the sun to deliver 100% pollution free concerts. Solar powered stages, sound, and lighting systems are fully-functioning examples of a complete design. Solar stages give performers an opportunity to educate the community about the benefits of renewable energy while delivering a concert with state of the art sound quality.

The sluggish economy, Wall Street woes and political concerns are eating away at our industry. Recent polls show that people have a renewed interest in “escapism” and “need for fun”. So remind your client of that when they say they want to cut out the entertainment.

Brooks Kendall
KEN-RAN Productions
ISES Dallas President