FAQ About Entertainers

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Note: The term “Entertainment” as it is used here can refer to both an act consisting of one person or a group.

1. How does CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT differ from other entertainment?
2. What type of corporate entertainment is available to us?
3. What kind of corporate entertainment can Eagles Talent Connection provide for us?
4. Can I book big name entertainment?
5. Who stages the big name entertainment for us?
6. What does corporate entertainment cost?
7. Does the price quoted for the entertainment include travel expenses?
8. Who makes the entertainer’s travel arrangements?
9. Do I pay more for entertainment when I book it through Eagles Talent Connection?
10. What if I can’t afford a big name star? Are there good acts I can count on?
11. What if my group has seen it all? Been there, done that and needs something special?
12. What is the process for booking entertainment?
13. What is a HOLD?
14. What is a FIRM OFFER?
15. What is a RIDER?
16. Do famous comedians alter their nightclub act for my corporate event?
17. What is a SELF-CONTAINED ACT?
18. Will an act customize their material for our group?
19. Will I be able to preview the entertainment before I book it?
20. Do I get to speak with the entertainer(s) before they come to our event?
21. What happens in the event that the entertainment is unable (due to an accident, illness, or travel
        difficulties) to make it to my event?
22. 2How do we pay for the entertainer(s)?
23. What happens in the case of a cancellation either by us or by the entertainer(s)?

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1. How does CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT differ from other entertainment?

The term “corporate entertainment” suggests the types of (clean not “blue”) entertainment that is suitable for corporate and association meetings, conferences, and conventions.

2. What type of corporate entertainment is available to us?

The categories of suitable entertainment for corporate and association events includes just about all areas of entertainment from background music to headline superstar extravaganzas. (See types of corporate entertainment, in this section).

3. What kind of corporate entertainment can Eagles Talent Connection provide for us?

Eagles Talent Connection is equipped to get for you any and all available entertainment, from musical attractions to variety acts to mega star celebrities.

4. Can I book big name entertainment?

Yes, many name entertainment acts will do corporate events. Comedians, national recording artists, and television stars are often available. Exact dates must be checked against their production schedules. Many corporations have enjoyed bringing top acts to their most important event creating a truly one-of-a-kind experience for all attendees. Please call to talk to one of our entertainment experts about what star would be most appropriate for your event.

5. Who stages the big name entertainment for us?

Large-scale shows require special production. Your ETC entertainment specialist will work closely with your in-house-production people to insure a successful, hassle-free event. Also, when needed, we bring in, and work closely with outside production companies and producers. Because of the amount of details involved in a large-scale show, working with professional outfits makes it much easier and assures a tremendous show.

6. What does corporate entertainment cost?

The price varies considerably depending on the type of entertainment and celebrity status. Your ETC consultant will work with you and your budget constraints to find you the most suitable attractions to make your event a hit.

7. Does the price quoted for the entertainment include travel expenses?

Generally, there are three main costs involved. The first is the attraction’s performance fee. The second is travel expenses. The third is the cost of sound, lights, back-line, and other sundry production costs (Also known as the “rider”).

Working with ETC, you’ll never be surprised or caught off guard by hidden charges. Your program consultant will always explain all charges to you up front. It’s our job at ETC, to make sure you, our client, fully understand why and what you are paying for, and to make sure that we get for you the best and fairest deal.

8. Who makes the entertainer’s travel arrangements?

Since an entertainer(s)’ travel itinerary is subject to frequent changes, most entertainers prefer to have their own office make their travel arrangements. This is the most convenient and expedient arrangement for all concerned. Eagles Talent Connection is, however, fully responsible for supplying to you, prior to the engagement date, your entertainment’s final (detailed) travel itinerary and all other pertinent information. Travel and incidental expenses (as agreed upon and delineated in the contract) are usually billed after the engagement.

9. Do I pay more for entertainment when I book it through Eagles Talent Connection?

Absolutely not, here’s why…

a. Our consultants strive for your long-term, return business, and as such they will always try to find for you the most suitable entertainment at the best price. We do all we can to earn your long-term, repeat business.

b. Since Eagles Talent Connection generates an appreciative volume of business for many entertainers, this puts us in a more favorable position to negotiate for you. In many instances, we can actually save you money.

10. What if I can’t afford a big name star? Are there good acts I can count on?

There are many attractions who specialize in corporate entertainment. Just like professional speakers, they may not have a household name; however, they have incredible reputations in the meeting industry… Comedians, impressionists, magicians, hypnotists, jugglers, ventriloquists, bands, shows, revues, and variety acts of all types. In case of a real tight budget, we can recommend acts that are based close to your event’s location. You save on travel expenses and often can negotiate a lesser fee for a local engagement.

11. What if my group has seen it all? Been there, done that and needs something special?

We work with this question on a daily basis, and we welcome the challenge to show you that there is always something new and different. The entertainment experts at ETC are continually on the lookout for novel attractions. Our affiliations and worldwide contacts keep us abreast to what is new. Fresh acts are being discovered every day; some of them are the stars of tomorrow. Because of our reputation for booking entertainment, each week we receive dozens of PR kits and videos from entertainers. Our program consultants meet three mornings each week to preview fresh talent. As a result, we work with some very creative and innovate performers who are at the cutting edge of new entertainment.

We look forward to astounding your attendees with something they have never seen before! Please call for a creative brain storming session with your ETC program consultant. You will be surprised with what new and incredible acts are available!

12. What is the process for booking entertainment?

After you and your ETC program consultant have determined what is the best entertainment for your needs, and it has been established the entertainment is available to do your engagement, the next step is to put in a “firm offer.”

Most entertainment, (especially the high-end celebrity attractions,) require a “firm offer” from the buyer. A firm offer is a written commitment, on the part of the buyer, to book the specific entertainer(s) for a specific date, for a specific assignment, for a specified fee. Many celebrity entertainers will not even consider an engagement unless a firm offer is first put forth. A firm offer does not guarantee the buyer (you), that the entertainer(s) will accept the offer, only that they will consider it. If, however, the entertainer(s) accepts the buyer’s (your) offer, the firm offer is legally binding. Firm offers are always made in writing and can either be mailed or faxed. Eagles Talent Connection has a special “firm offer form” that we e-mail or fax to you when and if you are ready to make a firm offer.

After a “firm offer” has been accepted, by the entertainer(s), Eagles Talent Connection issues contracts and then does all the necessary follow-up arrangements. (See our “Customized Three-Step Service Process,” in the About ETC section.)

13. What is a HOLD?

A “hold” is when an entertainer(s), prior to finalizing the engagement, is reserving a particular date for you. ETC rarely recommends an entertainer(s) to you without first checking to make sure the entertainer(s) will be available to do the engagement. In the event the entertainer(s), while on hold for you, receives a firm offer for the same date, you, as the first hold have the right of first refusal. You’ll will have 24 hours to either go ahead and book the entertainer(s) or release the hold.

14. What is a FIRM OFFER?

Some entertainers and high profile celebrities require, from the buyer, what is known in the industry as a “firm offer.” A firm offer is a commitment, on the part of the buyer, to book a specific entertainer(s) for a specific date at the specified fee. Some entertainers and high profile celebrities will not even consider an engagement unless a firm offer is first put forth. A firm offer does not guarantee the buyer that the entertainer will accept the offer, only that they will consider it. If, however, the entertainer accepts the buyer’s offer, the firm offer is legally binding. Firm offers are usually made in writing and can either be mailed or faxed. Eagles Talent Connection has a special “firm offer form” that we e-mail or fax to you when and if it is required.

15. What is a RIDER?

Most entertainers, especially big name musical acts, have a rider. A rider is an addendum to their contract that delineates what extras the entertainer(s) expects the buyer to provide to insure a good performance. The rider may include items such as specific platform dimensions and setup, a particular type of lighting and sound. Some musical acts, for example, have special requirements for their back-line. Back-line is simply the instrumentation that the band cannot travel to the event with – drum kit, amplifiers, keyboards, and piano, etc.

Your program consultant at ETC will “walk you through” the rider. Often the rider we receive is the same rider that major acts will give to stadiums and arenas. Many of the items in their rider can be eliminated for a corporate event.

16. Do famous comedians alter their nightclub act for my corporate event?

Some comedians will tone down their act and are able to present an appropriately clean show for corporate audiences. Others work in more of a “blue” style that runs from PG-13 to decidedly “R” rated material. Generally speaking, those that appear on national network TV shows will be fine for your audience. Your ETC program consultant will guide you.

17. What is a SELF-CONTAINED act?

A self-contained act is one that brings everything they need for the performance with them. Many dance / party bands will travel to your event self-contained, bringing their own sound and lights package and back-line equipment. This is very common when booking a local band for dancing or party atmosphere. In cases of a very large crowd, their sound can be augmented with some inexpensive rentals.

You may need to provide a stage, sound and lighting for entertainers such as comedians, magicians, hypnotists, and other variety acts.

18. Will an act customize their material for our group?

There are some wonderful acts that specialize in customizing material specifically for your group and event. They will work with you beforehand to gather inside information and meld your company’s culture and meeting theme into their performance. Your program consultant at ETC can recommend comedians, impersonators, magicians and many others who do this.

19. Will I be able to preview the entertainment before I book it?

Included in entertainer’s introductory information package, you will also receive from ETC, a preview VHS videotape or DVD disc (your choice) of the entertainer(s) in action. This is usually more than adequate for you to get a sense if the entertainer(s) is right for your audience. For those meeting planners who prefer to see an entertainer(s) do a live performance before committing, permission may (in some cases) be granted for a visitor to sit in on a performance. (This may require the visiting meeting planner to travel to the event). Eagles Talent Connection is always happy to seek permission for a live preview.

20. Do I get to speak with the entertainer(s) before they comes to our event?

In most cases, Yes. HOWEVER, with celebrity entertainers, you are more likely to speak with the entertainer’s advance person or road manager. Most of the professional entertainers we recommend are accustomed to having their advance person personally speak, well in advance of the event, with the person in charge of the program. Their job is to make sure that everything is set for a successful show. Your ETC program consultant will always be in touch with both you and the entertainer(s).

21. What happens in the event that the entertainment is unable (due to an accident, illness, or travel difficulties) to make it to my event?

Although this rarely happens, Eagles Talent Connection is here to help you twenty-four hours, seven days a week. You will receive, with the paper work for the engagement, both ETC’s 24-hour emergency phone number and the personal cell-phone number to your ETC Program Coordinator. In the event of a last minute emergency, we immediately spring into action to find you a comparable replacement. Our knowledgeable Program Coordinators always have access to ETC’s database and can, in most instances, secure another excellent substitute to fill in. Fees will, of course, be adjusted.

22. How do we pay for the entertainer?

The most common arrangement is that 50% of the fee along with the signed contract is sent to Eagles Talent Connection. The balance is due prior to the show. Expenses for travel and other incidentals will be billed after the event. Sometimes the travel expenses are built into the overall charge. This “buy-out” arrangement can save you money.

23. What happens in the case of a cancellation either by us or by the entertainer?

Different entertainers may have different cancellation policies. Each entertainer’s policy will be clearly outlined in the contract. After you have narrowed down your entertainment choice and would like to know their particular cancellation policy before making a firm offer, Eagles Talent Connection will be more than happy to e-mail or fax the specific entertainer’s cancellation policy.

Each contract will also clearly outline the policy regarding a cancellation by you (the client). Should you want to know this policy prior to making a firm offer, Eagles Talent Connection will, of course, always be more than happy to e-mail or fax to you the “cancellation by a client” policy. We at Eagles Talent Connection know that extenuating circumstances do occur. When a cancellation becomes necessary, we will do our best to prevent or minimize any loss to you, our client.