Where the Fun Starts!! - The BobbyK BLOG

Stretch Your Entertainment Budget

Whether you are a non-profit, school, or corporation, everyone is feeling the economic pinch these days and wants to figure out how to get more for less. Entertainment is one area that, when cut, can affect the entire event’s success! However, creative cutting can result in a successful event AND huge savings.

First, think of what the greatest expenses might be for the company providing the entertainment. Most of the time, labor is number one. By reducing the labor costs of the entertainment, you can cut the amount they charge you.

Providing volunteers for the items that are simple to run, such as moderate inflatables, casino tables, Bingo, arts and crafts, fun foods, and carnival games can cut your cost and save the entertainment company a ton of money and give them more flexibility. Volunteers can be your employees, organizational members, or students as long as they are the appropriate age and responsibility. If you can’t use your own volunteers, consider hiring a local service organization (Kiwanis or Rotary Club), football team, or other non-profit and make a donation to the organization for their efforts. You get recognition for helping the group and you save money on your event.

Another method to save money can be in asking your entertainment consultant what deals they may have.  Sometimes prices go up because of the cost of transporting an item.  If everything fits on one truck or trailer, there is definitely a savings.  Some companies might have items that they are overstocked with inventory and will discount the price to move that item.

Weekday work is another way to save money. Everyone wants their event on a weekend, particularly on Saturdays. At Bobby K Entertainment, we usually are sold out every Saturday but can always find availability Sunday through Thursday (other than holidays). By moving your event to a non-prime day, you allow flexibility in pricing.

When looking at price, remember it is always easier to get something thrown in for free or a discount than it is to get a discounted overall price. This way, the entertainment company maintains their pricing structure and both parties feel that they are working together to sweeten the deal! Most times, the item thrown in is a wonderful addition for your event while one of the lower cost items for the company.

By being creative, you can stretch those Entertainment dollars for most any event!

Carnival Games and Inflatables for Elementary Schools

Many times, parent organizations try to create activities and raise money at the same time for their elementary or middle schools.  Usually, accomplishing both goals is very difficult. The most painful fundraisers seem to be those selling wrapping paper or greeting cards or those boxes of candy bars.

Planning a family activity that will generate interest and have large attendance is also a challenge. For years, school carnivals have been a fun way for parents and children to interact, but the work involved is immense and the financial rewards minimal.

A school carnival that is held in partnership with an entertainment company can take a lot of the work out of the event while creating something that will be heavily attended and reap financial rewards for all involved!

Some entertainment companies are willing to create special packages with schools during their off season and partner to create a successful event. Three to four inflatables and a few carnival games can be the base needed to get children and their families to attend a school carnival. Add food, music and some other activities and you have a successful event.

Instead of paying lots of money for inflatables, get a company that will train your volunteers to operate the inflatables while they provide trained supervision. You'll cut the company’s expense considerably. Then work out a split after a fair guarantee so everyone makes money.

By charging an admission fee for unlimited rides, you create an easily tracked income stream that can be used to pay for the main attraction, the inflatables. All other money made from sponsorships, food sales, crafts, or flea markets can be kept by the organization.

With a partnership in place, it is in everyone’s interest to get lots of people to attend - resulting in a successful event... and a profitable one too!

Planning for Playthrough on Inflatables

One of the most frustrating aspects of planning a party is when you get the most exciting items you can find only to have your guests complain about long wait times. Think of how many times you have gone to a theme park and been frustrated with a 1-2 hour wait for the most popular rides and attractions!

By asking a provider about “playthrough," you can avoid these issues.  While a large climbing wall may be what you dreamed of having at your event, be aware that the time required for safely attaching harnesses and then belaying the participant is a lot more than for other fun attractions.

When dealing with a client, the first question is, “How many people are you going to have at the event and of what age groups?" This helps us determine the correct mix of items.  But while a Climbing Wall only handles about 24 people per hour, a similarly priced Obstacle Course will allow 240 people through in an hour.

Any attraction that requires special equipment will slow down the process of play!  Many items like bungee runs and climbing walls require harnesses. Sticky Walls and Sumo wrestling require getting in and out of special suits and contact sports such as joust and boxing require helmets and special equipment.  Getting in and out of these items adds to the time.  Check with your provider to make sure they have extra equipment so one group can be “gearing up” while the other group is playing.

Another area of consideration is the number of play areas on an inflatable, particularly with smaller children.  If a participant is encouraged to move through an inflatable rather than play in one place, more people can be moved through quickly.  A Moonbounce has 4-6 children bouncing at one time for a set period, usually about 5 minutes.  A Moonbounce with a slide attached has 4-6 children bouncing for a shorter time so they can go down the slide.  This creates greater play-through!

Experienced entertainment companies can guide you through the questions you should be asking and make the appropriate suggestions for a mix of items that should keep your waiting lines small and smiles on the faces of everyone at your event!

Safety with Inflatables

You can have fun with inflatable slides, moonwalks, bouncehouses, and other games - but be careful not to do it at the expense of your own safety.... like this guy:

Good thing he slid down before flying over the side! Maybe next time, instead of trying to catch him, the viewers can encourage the father and son to race against the clock (at separate times). Blooper tapes don't always end up as harmless as this one...

Game Shows as Fundraisers

Everyone loves a good TV style game show!  There is even a cable TV channel that plays nothing but game shows.  In recent years, among the top rated network shows has been Deal, No Deal, Are you Smarter than A Fifth Grader? And now the resurgence of The Price is Right with Drew Carey.

While everyone loves to watch, they would all love an opportunity to play.  Unfortunately, seldom do we have a chance to play a TV game show much less win exciting prizes.  By combining the excitement of a professional TV Style Game show and the chance to win great prizes, you have just created a wonderful Fundraising Idea!

Sponsorships and Ticket Sales are the key to raising significant money.  You should search out an overall sponsor at a higher dollar figure and then sponsors for individual rounds AND the prizes you hope to give away.  Tickets should be affordable and the admission should include some snacks, background music (which can be provided by the game show hosts), and a cash bar.

There are many games to choose from including versions of popular TV shows as well as customized game shows created especially for the group seeking funds or the corporation sponsoring the event.  Take a game that asks several questions and you can sponsor the entire night, the prizes that are given away, each round of questions, the categories of questions, the game podiums, the ticket printing, the snacks, the emcee and even the location of the party!  Tie in a media sponsor (usually radio) and your advertising can be free as well.

Bobby K Entertainment has experienced event consultants ready to help you create a successful game show fundraising event!

Party Fun - Creative Spin Art Ideas

If you’ve been to any company picnic, fundraiser, or party, odds are you have seen a spin art machine where kids or adults can splatter bright colors of paint or ink on cards or Frisbees and take home their newest creation. 

While Frisbees remain the most popular of all spin art items, there are some new ideas that put a new “spin” on the artwork!

Blank puzzle pieces that can be decorated at high speeds with unique splatters of color are now available.  When dry, just break the puzzle pieces apart and you have both an art piece and a puzzle to play with – and no two are alike!

Unique T-shirt designs are nothing new, many have brought tie-dyed shirts to their events for years.  Now there are T-shirt spin art machines that allow you to bring the splatter design to a format you can wear every day!  Although you can’t use a standard spin art machine, the new machine accommodates different sized shirts in any color.  The only issue with the spin art T-shirts is that they take longer to dry than plastic or cardboard items, so everyone has to wait about an hour for the drying process and must return to get their shirts.

One final item that can be created with the new spin art machines fits right into the hot “Green” Theme.  Eco-bags to replace plastic and paper grocery bags can be custom decorated and then used everyday to cut down on environmental footprint.

All of these items are available through Bobby K Entertainment.

Inflatables: Fun Fundraiser for your School

There are many ways to raise money for your college, university, high school, PTA / PTO, club, and organization. You could sell candy bars and magazines, but why not try something that is unique and fun for everyone? Host a 'Stay & Play Party' with Bobby K!

You can make lots of money and lots of smiles – here’s how:
 
Bobby K Provides:
• Giant Dual Lane Slide
• Obstacle Course
• Moonbounce
• Kid’s Maze
• One Adult/Teen Interactive (ie. Bungee Run, Joust)
• 2 staff to setup, train, supervise and remove equipment
• All insurances
• All wristbands and indemnification forms
• Event is for up to three hours on a weeknight or vacation day!
 

 
You Provide:
• The location
• Volunteers to operate the inflatables (total ten)
• Electric for the blowers
• All Promotion for Event
• Ticket Sales & Advertising Sales if applicable (organization can sell sponsors for
entire event or individual items and place placards around to show which business
participated – potential of about $750)
• Concessions
• $500 deposit on event
 
How we both make money:
• Bobby K is guaranteed $500
• Tickets are sold for $6 in advance, $8 at door for anyone who is participating (will
get a wrist band).  Parents are not charged unless they wish to participate.
• After first $500 in ticket sales, remainder of ticket sales are split 50/50
• Organization makes ALL money on concessions and advertising/sponsorships.
 
Revenue Projections (based on 300 participants):
• Tickets - $900 advance, $1200 at door, $2100 total
• Concessions - $400
• Advertising – $500 individual sponsors, $250 event sponsor, $750 total
• Bobby K receives $1300
• Organization receives $1950

It sounds simple... and it is! Contact us today to find out how to customize an event like this for your school.

Outdoor Fun with Bobby K

We've had an early Spring in Upstate New York and Summer is not far behind. With all the nice weather, who wants to play indoors anymore? Bobby K offers a variety of inflatables and games that are great for company picnics, graduation parties, and outdoor fundraisers. Check out this list of our Top 5 Outdoor Activities:

1. Water Balloon Wars
   From an inflatable fort, you and your teammate launch water balloons across an open field at your opponents. Built-in slingshots make it fun to spread out across long distances!
2. Human Foosball
   Five people per team are strapped to poles that allow them to move side-to-side but NOT forward or backward. Play ten minute games with a soft soccer ball and see who scores the highest!
3. Tiki Wall Climb
   We have several wall-climbing (or sticky wall) challenges, but none that represent 'fun in the sun' like our Tiki Wall Climb. Check it out!
4. Drive In Movies
   Our giant inflated drive in movie screen comes with rear projection and a great quality sound system. It measures 24 feet wide, 12 feet deep, and 20 feet high - and the actual screen is 18 feet in diameter. Invite your friends to set up blankets and lawn chairs to add enjoyment to a warm summer evening.
5. Tiki Bar and Mocktails
   Our Tiki Bar, complete with umbrella, is the perfect place to walk up and order a non-alcoholic Pina Colada or Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail garnished with fruit and a tiny umbrella. It's also the perfect addition to your summer-themed party!

Project Graduations - making that last high school party the best yet

At the end of every school year, many parents groups decide to host one last party for graduating seniors to encourage them to celebrate their graduation safely and together.  These types of events have certainly decreased incidences of injuries and fatalities from drugs, alcohol and reckless behavior by graduates and their friends.

Parents spend an entire year planning and fundraising for this special celebration and it is interesting to note how different each event may be.  Some groups seem to find the perfect mix of entertainment and repeat it each year (after all, the graduates are always changing so they don’t know what to expect) while other groups feel a need to change every year.

These events can be very expensive – you need to rent venues, arrange for bus transportation, provide food throughout the night, giveaways and entertainment.  Typically students get right on a bus from the graduation ceremony and end their party with a breakfast early the next morning.

Some components to make sure you include in your entertainment:

• Music – not necessarily a DJ but some sort of ambiance.  Karaoke goes over VERY well or you can really step it up with a Foam Dance Party or Video Dance, something the graduates may never have experienced.
• Physical Activities – whether inflatable competitions like obstacle courses, mechanical bulls or sumo wrestling or an open gym with basketball, volleyball and swimming, you need something to keep the kids going.
• Mementoes – Make sure you have some sort of photo memory for the kids to take home.  This can include Old Fashioned Photos, Photo Booths, Green Screen or a unique and new idea, Flip Book Photos (insert link)
• Something for the non-physical – You can choose an art type activity but the most popular by far is fantasy casino where kids play with fake money to win prizes.  Even better is having parents dealing for the kids and interacting with them.

Bobby K Entertainment has performed for hundreds of project graduations over the years and can create a custom plan whatever your budget and is happy to provide free consultation on these very worthwhile projects.

Photo Booths are for every party

As a kid visiting the five and dime store or any amusement park, you always grabbed your best friend and a couple of quarters and entered the photo booth for a strip of four goofy poses.  We’ve all still got copies of these pictures somewhere in our photo albums.

Photo booths have become the rage of wedding receptions. Not only can participants take their photos with their dates, family and friends, but they can also have a copy to give to the bride and groom as a keepsake. Some brides set out “wedding memory” books with pages for guests to glue their pictures in and write special messages to the wedding couple. The second set of pictures is taken home as a memento of the reception.

But weddings aren’t the only place for photo booths!  Since the pictures can be “branded” with logos and dates and sayings, the list of events goes on and on.  Photo Booths are perfect for Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, company picnics or holiday parties, Grand Openings, Fundraisers, School Proms, College events and more! The combination of the number of pictures, the number of copies and the speed at which pictures are produced makes the Photo Booth a perfect choice for any party!

Get photo booths at www.southerntierphotobooth.com.