Posted by Sean Lukasik on Wed, Aug 18, 2010 @ 11:29 AM
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!
Posted by Bob Kramarik on Tue, May 19, 2009 @ 07:59 PM
Western Theme parties are very popular for corporate, college or social events. They can be as simple or as extravagant as you wish depending on your budget and how much work you want to put into them.
If you read my previous blog on a simple party, you can incorporate many of those most basic items into your extravagant party, but then step it up.
Invitations - Invitations can be printed on a bandana or a T-shirt, how about staying with the wanted poster but putting in a cardboard or nicer frame?
Giveaways/Attire - Costuming for Western is among the easiest. Go upscale on the hats (plenty of funky cowboy hats out there), add bandanas, vests, chaps or even some sexy costumes. Add some character actors to meet and greet. Give away branded Cowboy Hats (with your logo) and serve drinks in cowboy boot glasses.
Decorations - Cardboard cutout standups of old time cowboys such as John Wayne and Roy Rogers can greet people as they walk in, add a split rail fence or corral at the entrance. Colorful backdrops of western scenes interspersed with pipe and drape can transform an entire room. Don't forget those barrels, hay and sacks and if you have the room, miniature horses are a nice touch.
Entertainment - A live country band and sawdust on the floor can really transform you night's activities. Make your food part of the entertainment, serve barbeque from the back of a covered wagon.
Activities - You can't miss with a Mechanical Bull! Add old west casino games, a cow milking game, rope the calf, themed carnival games or a guest costume party and see how everyone gets into the event.
Bob Kramarik
President
Bobby K Entertainment
www.bobbyk.com
800-640-5034
Posted by Bob Kramarik on Thu, Apr 02, 2009 @ 09:00 AM
When I tell the average consumer that we rent out mechanical bulls every weekend they give me an "I can't believe they're still legal" stare. Many remember the days of "Urban Cowboy" when Bulls started showing up in every bar resulting in tons of severe bodily injuries and the lawsuits that followed.
The Mechanical Bulls of those days (1980's) were not originally designed for entertainment purposes, but to train Rodeo Riders. They sat high in the air similar to the height of a live bull. The speed and movement of the bull was much more intense and the landing platforms were simple gymnastic or wrestling mats. You fell further and faster and landed harder!
Today, the Mechanical Bull has been designed for entertaining customers from children to adults, novice to "expert". While there are still some professional training models being used on the entertainment circuit (usually 220 volt), the majority are scaled down versions designed with fun AND safety in mind.
Today's Mechanical Bull is lower to the ground than the originals and it is surrounded by an inflated surface an average of 18-36 inches. The Bull is controlled by an operator who has both manual and programmed settings. For additional safety, there is usually a safety switch that is located in the rope you hold onto, on a pull away wristband attached to the bull, or in the seat of the bull that causes the bull to immediately stop once you fall off. The operator also has an emergency stop switch and a pedal that must be depressed for the bull to move (this is to prevent an operator from leaving the bull in motion and walking away).
The programs on today's Mechanical Bull are designed as steps in difficulty. Most riders start off on the Easy setting and move through three or four steps to Expert. While the Expert level requires some skill to stay on the Bull, it is still not as severe a ride as the original training Bulls.
With safer equipment, more informed riders and trained operators, today's Mechanical Bull is a great addition to any party or celebration that can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. The Bull is almost as much fun to watch as it is to ride and friendly competition among friends is encouraged.
Bob Kramarik,
www.bobbyk.com,
www.mechanicalbull.org,
bob@bobbyk.com.