Top Eight Event Enhancement Categories

Xplosive Blog

May 16, 2018 • No Comments

Within the event industry, there is a segment of entertainment options called “extra entertainment”, or at Xplosive Entertainment like to call it event enhancements, or “EE” for short. Regardless of the term you use, these extras come in various categories and are vital for taking a typical (possibly mundane) event and making it into a unique, one-of-a-kind celebration. This blog will provide tips and suggestions with a list of the top eight event enhancement categories. Each of these can (and likely will be) explained in a blog of it’s own, so accept this list as a general overview.

1. Lighting: Event lighting can be a diverse topic within itself. Included in this category is ambient room up-lighting which is used to wash a room’s walls in color. Additionally, dance floor lighting, monogram gobos, and themed items like bistro styled lighting can all be discussed. Dance floor lighting may require the most detailed explanation since this effect can either come off very cheesy if done poorly or can be very elegant and impactful if done properly. When properly programmed and ran by an experienced lighting technician, “Intelligent moving head lights,” can spotlight introductions and formalities. (These same lights can create slow patterned effects on the ceilings during slow songs, or they can make fast movements with color changes even strobe effects during fast songs). It’s important to know if your entertainment is providing intelligent lighting vs non-intelligent (or non-controllable) lighting. Non-controllable lighting will resemble a 1980’s roller skate rink or frat party. Lots of annoying colored beams of light and dots projected on your audience’s faces will inevitably horribly effect your photos.

1. TVs: One of our favorite elements at a party is the unbelievable options available to you when including TVs to display custom media. These screens can include a photo montage, live digital photos (or zaps) captured at an event, social hashtag media feeds, live video feeds and much more! Imagine a best mans’ toast with a silly video to back it up.
2. Photo Booths: By far, photo booths have become almost a standard at parties in recent years. Ultimately the cost of photo booths have become far more reasonable making this a norm for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs and sweet 16s! We have another blog already written about selecting the right photo booth and knowing what features to look for vs which pitfalls to avoid. For more info on this topic visit: https://www.xeevents.com/7-tips-selecting-right-photo-booth/
3. Zap Photos: As mentioned above in the TV category, zap photos (a name which came from the bar/bat mitzvah market) is basically defined as candid photos captured during an event, then displayed on the TV screens at a party. This is certainly no replacement for hiring a professional photographer. Please do not be misled. In most cases a zap photographer is a fraction is of the cost of a traditional experienced photographer. There is a reason for this. Zaps photographers rarely are as experienced as a pro. They hardly ever carry the same quality gear. And, they are rarely equipped to conduct a formal photo shoot. However, what makes this one of our favorite and most popular upsells is the fact that guests can see themselves in real time on the screens. Clients also get a digital copy of all the fun candid shots at the end of the event.
4. Atmospheric Effects: This is a very fun category. Atmospheric effects, when used properly, can create a mood, effect, and energy at certain points in a party. Who doesn’t like a confetti blast? (Other than those who are responsible to clean up). Confetti, indoor snow machines, dry ice effects, CO2 blasters and the new trend of indoor cold spark fountains (which perfectly resemble pyrotechnics) are all available options to help enhance your big day!

1. Live Music: Live music has been around for decades. In some cases, a band is contracted as the main entertainment for an event. However, a new trend is a hybrid situation in which one or multiple live musicians play along with (or actually over top of) the DJ who is the lead musical director at the party. These musicians can include an electric violinist, percussionist, sax player, vocalist and more! In addition to the hybrid playing together, this option gives you more flexibility for cocktail hours and ceremonies. Imagine an elegant violin playing during a wedding ceremony, then later in the night jamming along with a DJ for the high energy dance sets. We have a blog on this topic available at this link: https://www.xeevents.com/band-dj-or-hybrid/
2. Games/Activities: Based on the type of event you are planning games and activities may be included to change up the dynamic of the party. You may not come from a dancing family, or after attending so many other similar events, you may find that adding games to your party can change up the feel and add more of a unique touch. While we don’t suggest games for every event, the addition of a 30 person foosball table, automated beer pong table (that we call Power Pong for those under 21), giant connect four, or even digital trivia games are all incredible memory makers at events.
3. Fun Food Stations: We are big believers that food should be fun. Over the years, event planners and entertainment companies have created an array of fun food stations to help make a party unique and memorable. These food stations can include novelties like a Wawa, 7-11, or White Castle station as guests exit a party. Dessert foods also allow for a great deal of creativity. Donut walls, cookie and milk bars, and fun ice cream carts all add to the joyous atmosphere you are planning.

Well, there are the top eight EE categories. As a bonus tip to those planning an event: The use of a planner and/or on-site coordinator is strongly suggested when including a selection of enhancements. At your upcoming event, you should be able to enjoy the party, not have to worry about the micromanagement of the room’s color, the time of the confetti blasts, the line at the photo booth, and if the food station is setup in accordance with the schedule. A thoroughly planned and well-executed event takes a manager to oversee the timeline and all the moving pieces. Do yourself a favor and hire trusted professionals to execute these event elements for you.

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