Top Corporate Event Entertainment Ideas for 2025

Spice Up Your Corporate Events

1. Interactive Comedy Shows

• Customized content: Tailored jokes and routines specifically for your company, industry, and event.

• Professional comedians: Experienced performers specializing in corporate events and clean humor.

• Audience participation: Improv elements and interactive segments to engage attendees.

• Various formats: Stand-up, improv troupes, and comedy roasts can be adapted to suit your needs.

• Universally appealing: Humor transcends many barriers and provides shared enjoyment.

• Camaraderie building: Shared laughter creates a sense of connection and strengthens team bonds.

• Stress relief: Laughter is a proven stress reliever and can boost morale.

• Tailored to company culture: Customized content ensures the humor aligns with your company values.

• Risk of misfire: If not properly vetted, the humor might not land well with the audience.

• Cost: Higher-quality comedians can command higher fees.

• Not for everyone: Some individuals may not appreciate this style of entertainment.

• Sensitivity considerations: Careful consideration of diverse perspectives is essential to avoid offensive material.

• The Second City: Offers corporate entertainment packages featuring customized improv and sketch comedy.

• The Comedy Store: Provides corporate event services with experienced comedians.

• Roast-style events: Popular for retiring executives or celebrating company milestones.

• Thorough briefing: Provide the comedian with detailed information about your company culture, inside jokes, and any sensitive topics to avoid.

• Content mix: Include a blend of general and company-specific humor for broader appeal.

• Allocate sufficient time: Allow at least 45-60 minutes for a full comedy set.

• Material review: Request a preview of the material, especially for organizations with strict content guidelines.

2. Interactive Music Experiences

• Drum Cafe: Known for their high-energy corporate team building drum circles, Drum Cafe facilitates rhythmic experiences that encourage collaboration and communication.

• SongDivision: This company specializes in corporate songwriting sessions, guiding teams through the process of creating an original song that reflects their shared values and experiences.

• Blue Man Group: While known for their public performances, Blue Man Group also offers corporate interactive performances, incorporating audience participation into their unique brand of musical and visual spectacle.

• Choose experienced facilitators: The success of these activities hinges on skilled facilitators who can guide the group, manage logistics, and create a positive and inclusive environment.

• Ensure adequate space: Whether it's a drum circle or a songwriting session, ensure there's enough space for participants to move comfortably and for the sound to resonate effectively.

• Consider shorter sessions: For optimal engagement, aim for sessions lasting 30-45 minutes. This timeframe allows for focused participation without overwhelming attendees.

• Incorporate company messaging: Weave your company's themes or key messages into the music creation process to reinforce branding and create a cohesive experience.

• Highly engaging and energizing

• Builds teamwork and cooperation

• Accessible to people of all musical abilities

• Creates lasting memories and talking points

• Requires specialized facilitators and equipment

• Can be logistically complex to set up

• May intimidate some participants initially

• Noise levels need management for venue considerations

3. Virtual Reality Experiences

• Immersive Experiences: Cutting-edge VR technology creates truly memorable and engaging experiences that transport attendees to another world.

• Multiple Stations and Experiences: Run multiple VR stations simultaneously, offering a variety of experiences to cater to different interests and preferences.

• Customizable Content: Tailor the VR content specifically to your company's products, services, or event objectives.

• Data Collection: Some VR platforms offer data collection capabilities, providing insights into participant engagement and preferences.

• Unique and Memorable Experiences: VR provides a novel and exciting experience that attendees will be talking about long after the event concludes.

• Demonstrates Innovation: Showcasing VR at your event positions your company as forward-thinking and innovative.

• Shareable Moments: VR experiences create highly shareable moments for social media, extending your event's reach.

• Adaptable for Various Event Formats: VR can be integrated into various event formats, from large conferences to smaller team-building sessions.

• Setup and Technical Support: VR requires significant setup and ongoing technical support to ensure smooth operation.

• Cost: VR can be more expensive than traditional entertainment options.

• Limited Simultaneous Participation: The number of people who can participate in VR simultaneously is limited by the number of available stations.

• Learning Curve: Some first-time VR users may experience a slight learning curve.

• Space: Ensure adequate space for VR movement zones (typically 10x10 feet per station).

• Technical Staff: Have dedicated technical staff on hand to assist users and troubleshoot any issues.

• Content Alignment: Choose VR content that aligns with your event objectives and target audience.

• Experience Length: Offer a mix of short (5-minute) and longer experiences to accommodate different attention spans.

4. Mystery Entertainment and Escape Rooms

• Interactive storylines: Engage the whole team in a shared narrative.

• Professional actors: Enhance the immersive experience and guide participants.

• Customizable narratives: Incorporate company information, objectives, or training elements.

• Flexible formats: From dinner mysteries to full escape room experiences.

• Encourages teamwork and problem-solving: Develops crucial workplace skills.

• Creates memorable shared experiences: Strengthens team bonds and company culture.

• Pros: Encourages teamwork, suitable for diverse groups, creates memorable experiences, can incorporate company messaging.

• Cons: Requires significant space and setup time, higher costs for professional implementation, time-intensive (1.5-3 hours), may require participant buy-in.

• Wildly Different's corporate mystery events

• The Murder Mystery Company's corporate packages

• Portable escape room experiences by Escapology

• Select mysteries appropriate for your company culture: Ensure the theme and tone align with your company's values.

• Create balanced teams mixing departments and seniority levels: Encourage interaction and collaboration across the organization.

• Consider how the mystery theme might align with company values or objectives: Reinforce key messages or celebrate achievements.

• Allow adequate time for both the activity and discussion afterward: Maximize the impact of the experience and facilitate reflection.

5. Live Art Performances

• Sand Artist Joe Castillo: Known for his emotionally resonant storytelling through sand animation, Castillo's corporate performances create a powerful and moving experience.

• Speed Painter Robert Channing: Channing's high-energy performances, creating recognizable portraits in mere minutes, have captivated audiences at Fortune 500 events.

• Digital Artist Jeremy Sutton: Sutton’s live digital artwork blends technology and artistry, producing stunning visuals tailored to each event's theme.

• Real-time Creation: The live element adds a sense of excitement and anticipation.

• Variety of Styles: From traditional to modern, numerous artistic mediums are available.

• Branding Integration: Incorporate company logos, products, or themes into the artwork.

• Lasting Artwork: The finished piece can be displayed, auctioned, or gifted.

• Visually Engaging: Captures attention and provides a unique visual spectacle.

• Universal Appeal: Transcends language barriers, making it ideal for international events.

• Visually engaging for attendees.

• Creates lasting mementos of the event.

• Double value as both entertainment and décor/gifts.

• Appeals to diverse audiences regardless of language barriers.

• Premium pricing for skilled performers.

• Space and staging requirements.

• Lighting and visibility considerations for large audiences.

• May require amplification or video projection for larger groups.

• Visibility: Position artists where they have maximum visibility.

• Projection: Consider video projection for larger audiences to enhance the viewing experience.

• Theming: Discuss company themes, colors, or messages to be incorporated into the artwork in advance.

• Artwork Disposition: Plan the final disposition of the artwork (auction, raffle, executive gift) beforehand.

• Galas and Award Ceremonies: Adds a touch of elegance and sophistication.

• Product Launches: Visually showcase new products or brand messaging.

• Conferences and Trade Shows: Attract attention and create a buzz around your booth.

• Team Building Activities: Encourage collaboration and creativity.

• Holiday Parties: Offer a unique and memorable entertainment experience.

6. Interactive Game Shows

• Game Show Booth: Known for their high-quality corporate Jeopardy! adaptations. (Unfortunately, a direct website link is not readily available.)

• TrivWorks: Offers a wide range of trivia-based events and game shows for corporate settings. (Website not readily available)

• The Go Game: Specializes in interactive team competitions and customized game show formats. (Website not readily available)

• Mix it Up: Balance company-specific trivia with general knowledge questions to keep everyone engaged.

• Strategic Teams: Consider forming teams that mix employees from different departments or hierarchy levels to foster cross-company interaction and break down silos.

• Tech Check: Thoroughly test all technical equipment, including microphones, sound systems, and displays, before the event to avoid any last-minute glitches.

• Prizes for All: Recognize both winning teams and individual efforts with prizes that encourage participation and celebrate team spirit.

• Training and Development: Reinforce key company information or industry knowledge in a fun, interactive setting.

• Team Building: Encourage collaboration and communication between team members as they work together to answer questions.

• Boosting Morale: Inject energy and excitement into a company event, creating a shared experience that fosters camaraderie.

• Product Launches: Introduce new products or services through engaging game show questions, highlighting key features and benefits.

• Professional Game Show Sets and Equipment: Creates an immersive and authentic experience.

• Customizable Question Content: Tailors the game to your specific company or industry.

• Team-Based or Individual Competition: Adapts to your desired level of interaction and competition.

• Professional Hosts: Maintains energy and engagement throughout the event.

• Familiar Formats: Requires minimal explanation for participants.

• Combines Entertainment with Learning: Reinforces company knowledge and information.

• Creates Healthy Competition and Energy: Boosts morale and engagement.

• Scalable for Various Group Sizes: Can be adapted for small or large audiences.

• Significant Setup Requirements: May require dedicated space and logistical planning.

• Limited Number of Active Participants at Once: Not everyone can participate simultaneously in some formats.

• Potential for Intense Competition: Carefully manage competitive dynamics to ensure a positive experience for all.

• Requires Careful Question Development: Ensure questions are inclusive and avoid potentially sensitive topics.

7. Mentalist and Mind Reading Acts

• Sophisticated psychological illusions and demonstrations: These acts go beyond simple tricks, offering complex and thought-provoking performances.

• Audience participation: Mentalists often involve the audience directly in their demonstrations, creating a more engaging and interactive experience.

• Customization: Skilled mentalists can incorporate company information, inside jokes, or even executive participation into their acts, adding a personalized touch to the event.

• Versatility: Mentalism works well in a variety of settings, from intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences.

• Minimal staging: Compared to other entertainment options, mentalist acts require minimal setup and equipment.

• Creates memorable 'how did they do that?' moments: The inherent mystery generates buzz and discussion among attendees.

• Appeals to analytical and professional audiences: The intellectual nature of the performance resonates with corporate crowds.

• Creates memorable and intriguing experiences.

• Appeals to a broad range of corporate audiences.

• Adaptable to various event sizes and venues.

• Requires minimal technical setup.

• Top performers often come with premium pricing.

• The quality of mentalist acts can vary significantly; thorough research is crucial.

• May not resonate with every individual attendee.

• Typically requires a focused and relatively quiet environment for optimal impact.

• Oz Pearlman, renowned for his appearances on "America's Got Talent," frequently performs for Fortune 500 companies.

• Lior Suchard has built a career captivating corporate audiences with his mind-bending illusions and psychological demonstrations.

• Max Maven, a legend in the world of mentalism, offers customized performances for executive events.

• Book performers with proven corporate experience: Look for testimonials and reviews that highlight their success in a corporate setting.

• Provide the performer with company information in advance: This allows them to tailor their act and incorporate relevant details for a more personalized experience.

• Allocate sufficient time: Allow 30-60 minutes for the performance to ensure a comprehensive and impactful experience.

• Consider seating arrangements: Ensure good visibility for all attendees, as visual cues often play a role in the performance.

8. Culinary Entertainment

• Top Chef-style competitions at corporate retreats: Divide attendees into teams and challenge them to create dishes using a mystery basket of ingredients, fostering teamwork and friendly competition.

• Sorted Food-style interactive cooking experiences: Host a live cooking demonstration with a charismatic chef, allowing for Q&A and interaction throughout the process. This format can also include pre-prepared meal kits for attendees to follow along and create their own dishes.

• Murray's Cheese corporate tasting workshops: Organize a guided tasting of artisanal cheeses paired with complementary wines or beverages. This provides an educational and sophisticated experience while fostering conversation and networking.

• Survey dietary restrictions well in advance: Ensure that all attendees can participate comfortably by accommodating allergies and dietary preferences.

• Consider chef personalities as well as culinary skills: A charismatic and engaging chef can significantly enhance the entertainment value.

• Balance watching with participation for optimal engagement: Find the right mix of demonstration and hands-on activities to cater to different learning styles.

• Scale food complexity to event timeframe and facilities: Choose recipes and activities that are achievable within the allocated time and available kitchen resources.

• Universal appeal through food and drink: Food is a common ground that transcends cultural differences and personal preferences.

• Practical skills development for participants: Interactive cooking activities can empower attendees with new culinary knowledge and techniques.

• Creates natural networking environment: Shared meals and collaborative cooking experiences facilitate conversation and relationship building.

• Scalable from intimate to large groups: Culinary entertainment can be adapted to suit a wide range of event sizes and formats.

• Dietary restrictions and allergies require careful planning: Addressing dietary needs can add complexity to the logistics.

• Equipment and ingredient logistics can be complex: Sourcing and managing ingredients and equipment can be challenging, especially for larger events.

• Venue kitchen access or capabilities may be limiting: The venue's kitchen facilities may restrict the type of culinary activities that can be offered.

• Higher per-person costs than standard catering: Interactive culinary experiences typically involve higher costs than traditional catering due to the specialized equipment, ingredients, and chef fees.

9. Cirque-Style Performances

• Visually Spectacular: The sheer visual spectacle requires minimal verbal explanation, making it ideal for diverse audiences.

• Versatile Formats: From grand stage shows to ambient acts, cirque-style performances can be tailored to your event.

• Branding Integration: Incorporate company branding seamlessly through custom costumes or props for a cohesive experience.

• Variety of Acts: Choose from a diverse range of acts, from ground-based performances like contortion and hand balancing to awe-inspiring aerial displays.

• Creates High-Impact Visual Moments: These performances naturally create unforgettable moments that guests will be talking about long after the event.

• Works Across Language Barriers: Perfect for international events, the visual nature transcends language differences.

• Demonstrates Creativity and Excellence: Aligns with company values of innovation and high achievement.

• Provides Unique Photo Opportunities: Generates stunning photo opportunities for social media and event marketing.

• Cirque du Soleil's corporate entertainment division: The world-renowned Cirque du Soleil offers tailored corporate experiences, demonstrating the high-end potential of this entertainment style.

• Quixotic Fusion performances at tech company galas: This innovative performance art company blends cirque, projection mapping, and technology for cutting-edge events.

• AntiGravity's corporate event packages: Known for their aerial artistry, AntiGravity offers tailored packages for corporate settings.

• Venue Check: Verify venue ceiling height and rigging points early in the planning process.

• Performance Length: Consider shorter, high-impact performances rather than longer shows for optimal engagement.

• Branding Opportunities: Discuss branding opportunities with the performers to incorporate your company logo or colors into costumes or performance elements.

• Photography: Plan photography and videography positioning to capture the most dramatic moments.

• Galas and Award Ceremonies: Elevate the prestige of your event with breathtaking performances.

• Product Launches: Generate excitement and buzz around new products with a captivating show.

• Conferences and Trade Shows: Attract attention and create a memorable experience for attendees.

• Holiday Parties and Celebrations: Add a touch of magic and wonder to your festive gathering.

Corporate Event Entertainment Comparison Guide

Creating Unforgettable Corporate Moments