Let’s be honest : when you’re planning a corporate event, the big question isn’t just “Will people enjoy it ?” but “Will this actually bring ROI?”. I’ve seen so many teams invest in entertainment that looked amazing on paper… yet fell flat when it came to engagement or post-event results. And frankly, when budgets are getting tighter, nobody wants to gamble on an activity that only “might” work.
Before diving into the best options, I like to check what other companies are doing too – recently, while browsing https://www.evenementsbh.com, I realised how much the industry is shifting toward experiences that create measurable outcomes, not just “a good time”. That trend makes total sense : if you bring people together, you want impact, not noise.
Team-building events : Go for activities that create shared wins
If I had to pick one type of entertainment that consistently boosts team spirit and delivers ROI, it would be collaborative challenges. Escape games, problem-solving missions, or mini “innovation battles” work incredibly well.
Why ? Because efficiency skyrockets when people share a “we did it !” moment. I still remember a team in Manchester – they chose a mobile escape room. Nothing fancy, but the energy after solving that last puzzle ? Unreal. They walked out more aligned than after three months of internal workshops.
Best ROI picks :
– Mobile escape rooms (fast, flexible, high engagement)
– Creative build challenges (LEGO, prototype workshops)
– Scored adventure games (everything that adds a friendly competitive twist)
And honestly, if your goal is productivity or communication, skip passive entertainment. Watching a magician is fun… but it won’t fix cross-department miscommunication.
Sales kick-offs and product launches : Choose entertainment that amplifies your message
Here, you’re not just trying to make people smile – you want them pumped, motivated, ready to crush Q2 or Q3. That’s why high-energy entertainment gives the best ROI.
Drum shows, LED performances, beatbox numbers… anything that wakes people up and creates a “wow, something big is happening” atmosphere. I’ve seen LED drummers open a product reveal in Birmingham ; people talked about it for weeks. That kind of momentum isn’t fluff – it shapes how teams absorb your message.
Best ROI picks :
– LED drum shows
– Dynamic MCs who actually understand corporate culture (rare, but gold)
– Interactive tech entertainment (live drawing, real-time visualisation of audience ideas)
If your event is about ambition, avoid slow formats like classical music quartets. Gorgeous, yes. Motivating ? Not so much.
Networking receptions : Think conversation starters, not distractions
Networking moments can get awkward fast – people standing around, pretending to understand the canapés while waiting for someone to talk to them. Entertainment that breaks the ice naturally delivers huge ROI because it increases interactions… and interactions are where business happens.
I’m a big fan of close-up entertainers for this : mix-and-mingle magicians, caricaturists, silhouette cutters. They generate tiny social sparks that help strangers enter a conversation without overthinking it.
Best ROI picks :
– Close-up magic
– Roving caricature artists
– Walkabout characters (when chosen carefully – not the cheesy ones !)
– Light games or quiz prompts placed around the room
If you want people to talk, avoid stage-centred entertainment that forces everyone to stop and watch. It kills the flow.
Gala dinners & awards nights : Go for entertainment that elevates the moment
Award nights can quickly become either unforgettable… or painfully long. Entertainment here should feel premium, polished, and paced to keep the evening moving.
For ROI, think reputation and brand perception. People associate the quality of the entertainment with the quality of the organisation – unfair maybe, but true. A strong host can save an entire evening ; I’ve seen MCs turn a nearly-disastrous, behind-schedule gala in London into something genuinely classy.
Best ROI picks :
– Professional awards hosts
– Live bands with a sharp “read of the room”
– Short, impactful performances (aerial acts, laser shows, opera flash moments)
One mistake ? Booking entertainment that drags on. If a performance lasts more than 12–15 minutes, you’ll lose the room.
Internal culture-building events : Choose experiences that create belonging
Sometimes ROI is emotional, not financial. Internal culture events – anniversaries, milestones, employee recognition days – work best when entertainment creates a story people feel part of.
Workshops shine here. I didn’t expect it at first, but activities like graffiti workshops or collective mural painting bring insane emotional ROI. People literally leave a mark. And they talk about it forever.
Best ROI picks :
– Collaborative art experiences
– Music creation workshops
– Storytelling or video-creation labs
Avoid anything too showy or “external”. Culture-building works when employees participate, not observe.
So, which entertainment guarantees the best ROI overall ?
If I had to give a straight answer, I’d say : the one that supports your event goal without stealing the spotlight from it. ROI comes from alignment, not spectacle.
Ask yourself :
– Do I want people to connect ?
– Do I want them energised ?
– Do I want them to remember a message ?
– Do I want them to collaborate ?
Pick the entertainment that fuels that specific outcome, and you’re already ahead of 80% of corporate planners out there. And if you choose artists or activities that create genuine interactions – the kind people talk about in the taxi on the way home – your ROI will naturally follow.
Final thought : ROI isn’t about spending less. It’s about spending where it counts.
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