> Pre-Event You Think It’s Funny? By Diane Goodman Comedians and comedic groups are part of many meetings and special events. However, some meeting planners don’t take the necessary “precautions” to set the best stage for comedy to truly shine. For many years, The Goodman Speakers Bureau has worked with The Comedy Team of Mack and Jamie as well as with other comedians and comedic groups. Mack and Jamie recently shared their insights on how professional meeting planners can get the most from comedians—and how to stop shooting them in the foot (so to speak). “In a nutshell, we know how to present comedy in a way that knocks ’em dead and makes the planner look like a hero,” Mack says. “Sometimes, however, we meet up with a planner who goes out of their way to virtually guarantee a comedy act will fail miserably. It is our mission to put an end to this tragedy.” Mack and Jamie strongly suggest the following strategies when working with comedians: Match the audience with the act. Booking a raunchy comedian for an association of church counselors is asking for a tar-and-feather party to the tune of “Kumbaya.” ccess ore ■ Knowledge ■ Resources ■ Technology ■ Opportunities The Leading Exposition and Conference for Meeting and Event Planners Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International HSMAI’s 19th Annual ffordable eetings Featuring: Event Technology Expo™ September 10-11, 2008 Walter E. Washington Convention Center Washington, D.C. ® www.affordablemeetings.com
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - July 2008