NYC is a city of entertainment, fun, and technology. Events are made to be engaging, and New York events continuously set a precedent for show-stopping experiences. Delighting NYC event guests in in-person, hybrid, or virtual events all means coordinating different details, connections, and know-how for flawless execution. We’ve put together some insight into how to wow your next event guests with creative event entertainment and hands-on engagement strategies.
Focus On Experiences That Are Memorable
Don’t book entertainment solely to book entertainment and occupy guests’ time. You want to focus on making the experiences memorable and cohesive with your event theme. Memories are both valuable and beneficial for guests, especially if your event is focusing on a brand or product launch. It keeps you in their mind’s eye. When booking experiential entertainment or organizing hands-on engagements, curate these with the goal of impacting your guests beyond the event itself.
New York City is renowned for its vibrant culture and endless entertainment options, making it the perfect backdrop for unforgettable events. To truly delight your guests, consider incorporating creative entertainment and hands-on engagement activities that reflect the city’s unique energy and diversity.
1. Interactive Food and Drink Stations
- DIY Cocktail Bars: Hire a mixologist to guide guests in crafting their own signature cocktails. This not only entertains but also personalizes the experience.
- Customizable Food Stations: From build-your-own taco bars to gourmet pizza-making stations, interactive food setups can be both fun and delicious.
2. Live Performances
- Local Musicians and Bands: Showcase the talent of NYC’s vibrant music scene with live performances that can range from jazz to indie rock.
- Street Performers: Bring the iconic street performances indoors with acts such as magicians, caricature artists, and breakdancers.
3. Hands-On Workshops
- Art and Craft Workshops: Offer guests the chance to create their own art, such as painting, pottery, or even graffiti workshops led by local artists.
- Cooking Classes: Hire a chef to teach a cooking class, allowing guests to learn new recipes and techniques they can take home.
4. Technology-Driven Fun
- Virtual Reality Stations: Set up VR stations where guests can explore different worlds, play games, or even take virtual tours of NYC landmarks.
- Photo Booths with a Twist: Modernize the traditional photo booth with green screens, digital props, and instant social media sharing capabilities.
5. Themed Entertainment
- Broadway-Style Performances: Bring the magic of Broadway to your event with themed performances, including mini-musicals or dramatic readings.
- Cultural Celebrations: Celebrate NYC’s diverse cultures with themed entertainment such as traditional dance performances, music, and food tastings.
6. Unique Venue Experiences
- Rooftop Parties: Take advantage of NYC’s skyline by hosting your event on a rooftop with stunning views, complete with a DJ and dance floor.
- Historical Venues: Host your corporate or holiday event in one of the city’s many historical buildings or museums, adding an element of grandeur and intrigue.
7. Interactive Games and Activities
- Scavenger Hunts: Organize a scavenger hunt that leads guests through different areas of the venue or even around the city.
- Escape Rooms: Set up an escape room challenge where guests can work together to solve puzzles and “escape” within a time limit.
Have A Goal-Oriented Strategy When Choosing Event Entertainment
Getting carried away by the newest and hottest NYC entertainment is an easy thing to do, but you do need a little structure when choosing your event entertainment. A great question to start with is, what do you want to accomplish with your entertainment choice? This can help you narrow down different local options for entertainment and keep your event details cohesive. Other questions to ask yourself when choosing entertainment can include:
- What is your theme and entertainment budget?
- What entertainment would resonate well with your guests, and conversely, what would clearly miss the mark?
- What are the overall goals of this event, and does the entertainment choice help meet those?
Consider Polling Your Guests For Extra Event Entertainment Insight
Depending on the event’s purpose, consider polling your event guests to gain better insight into what would be both memorable and engaging for them. If you’re putting on a corporate leadership event, and most in attendance are content in breakout sessions, an hour-long interpretive dance performance may not be the best choice.
1. Send Out Pre-Event Surveys
- Survey Tools: Utilize online survey tools like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or Typeform to create a quick and easy-to-fill-out questionnaire.
- Questions to Ask: Include questions about their event entertainment preferences, favorite types of music, interest in interactive activities, and dietary restrictions for any food-related entertainment.
2. Leverage Social Media Polls
- Instagram and Facebook: Use Instagram Stories or Facebook polls to ask quick questions about entertainment preferences. These hot-topic platforms make it easy to engage with your audience and get instant feedback.
- Engagement: Social media polls are also a great way to build excitement and anticipation for your event as guests see others participating.
3. Email Invitations with Poll Links
- Embedded Links: Include a link to your survey or poll in the email invitations you send out. This makes it convenient for guests to provide their input while RSVPing.
- Follow-Up: Send a reminder email a week before the event to ensure maximum participation in your poll.
4. Interactive RSVP Forms
- Event Websites: If you’re using an event website or platform for RSVPs, integrate questions about entertainment preferences directly into the RSVP process.
- Customization: Tailor the RSVP experience by allowing guests to select from different entertainment options, giving you a clear idea of what will be most popular.
5. Analyze and Implement Feedback
- Data Analysis: After collecting responses, analyze the data to identify trends and preferences. Focus on the most popular choices and see how you can integrate them into your event.
- Flexibility: Be prepared to fully adjust your plans based on the feedback. For example, if many guests express a preference for live music over a DJ, you can prioritize booking a band.
6. Engage Guests During the Event
- Real-Time Polling: Use live polling during the event for real-time feedback. Apps like Slido or Mentimeter allow guests to vote on entertainment options or provide feedback throughout the event.
- Interactive Experiences: Consider incorporating entertainment that evolves based on guest input, such as a live DJ taking song requests or interactive food stations where guests can customize their dishes.
Hands-On Engagement On A Small Or Large Scale
Hands-on engagement can range from small-scale photo booths, face painting, and even holograms to larger private concerts, breakout sessions, or live comedy shows. Depending on your event, budget, and other factors, entertainment can easily be kept small-scale and still be memorable.
Small-Scale Engagement
1. Interactive Workshops
- Art and Craft Workshops: Offer guests the chance to create their own artworks, such as painting, pottery, or crafting sessions led by local artists. These intimate settings allow for personalized instruction and a deeper connection with the activity.
- Cooking Classes: Hire a chef to conduct a cooking class where your event guests can learn to make a dish from scratch. This not only entertains but also equips them with new culinary skills they can use at home.
2. DIY Stations
- Build-Your-Own Food Stations: Set up stations where guests can customize their own dishes, such as a taco bar, salad bar, or dessert station. This interactive element makes the meal more engaging and fun.
- Mixology Stations: Provide ingredients and instructions for guests to create their own cocktails or mocktails. This can be a great icebreaker and adds a personal touch to the drink experience.
3. Interactive Games
- Trivia Quizzes: Host a trivia night with questions related to the theme of your event or the interests of your guests. This encourages participation and friendly competition.
- Board Games and Card Games: Set up areas with various board games and card games for guests to play. This can be a relaxing and enjoyable way for guests to engage with each other.
Large-Scale Engagement
1. Live Demonstrations
- Cooking Demonstrations: Invite celebrity chefs or local culinary experts to perform live cooking demonstrations. Large screens can help ensure all guests have a good view, and samples can be distributed for tasting.
- Art Installations: Feature live art installations where artists create works in real-time. This adds an artistic element of creativity and entertainment as guests watch the process unfold.
2. Interactive Exhibits
- Virtual Reality Experiences: Set up VR stations where guests can explore different worlds, play games, or take virtual tours. This cutting-edge technology can captivate a large audience.
- Science and Technology Exhibits: Partner with local science museums or tech companies to create interactive exhibits that guests can explore and learn from. These can be both educational and entertaining.
3. Group Activities
- Team-Building Exercises: Organize activities like scavenger hunts, escape rooms, or team challenges that require collaboration and problem-solving. These can be scaled up to accommodate larger groups.
- Live Performances: Schedule performances such as live music, dance, or theater acts. These performances can engage a large audience and provide a focal point for the event.
4. Digital Engagement
- Event Apps: Use event-specific apps to engage guests with real-time polls, Q&A sessions, and interactive maps. This can help guests navigate large events and participate in various activities.
- Social Media Integration: Encourage all your corporate or social event guests to share their experiences on social media with event-specific hashtags. This not only engages guests but also promotes the event to a wider audience.
EMRG Media Is Your Ticket To Event Entertainment Perfection
At EMRG Media, we understand how event entertainment and hands-on engagement can make or break an event. The right fit for entertainment can truly be the difference between a memorable guest experience and a forgettable one. A professional event planner can bring your event visions to life within budget and without you feeling caught in the event planning weeds. Inquire about your next event with our NYC event planning pros and experience the seamless and time-saving experience of a professional EMRG Media event planner.
