Why would I give the lead of this blog to such a small part of the show, one that only a handful of people ever get to see? Good question. This past Saturday in San Diego, I watched two artists who flourish in that moment. They're pros at it. Maybe it's the number of shows they've done this deep into their careers. Maybe they just have a knack for it. But I think it's also that they really want to give those special moments back to the fans who've given them such long and successful careers.
You know what a meet and greet is, right? It's that intimate, often fleeting moment when you're standing next to someone you're in awe of, for a photo and a quick word. A small group of fans, usually VIP ticket holders, radio winners or a few lucky guests, gets walked back to a room behind the stage before or after the show. They get a minute, maybe two, a picture and maybe something signed, and then they're back out in the crowd telling whoever will listen.
I like to think I'm pretty good at running these special, backstage moments. Some of mine are especially complicated, too, because the guests aren’t just VIPs. They’re military commanders, or even Gold Star families (families who have lost a loved one in service). I can’t begin to tell you the pressure I feel to get those ‘right.’ Maybe that’s why I so often get the meet and greet assignment as one of my "tasks" for a show. I hope that's not an indictment on my stage knowledge or production work (I like to think not, haha). Some artists and tour managers have watched me run one for the first time and then asked if I'd come on the road to run them full time. I'm not sure if they're joking. I'm also not sure what a professional "meet and greet guy" gets paid, but it sounds like a fun idea.
To be honest, I don't ‘love’ doing them. Too much can go wrong. Some artists are awkward with them, and most people are awkward participating in them. And sometimes the big moment just doesn't happen, like many years ago in Bowling Green with Hunter Hayes, when we expected a marriage proposal, set the room for it, and it somehow never came. I can go on with my stories. But there's a real joy I see in so many faces that it's hard not to come around on my feelings. Shhh… maybe I do like them just a little bit, at least when they go well.
Here's the part most fans never think about. Who runs the meet and greet, whether it's someone working the show, the event staff or the tour's own people, can be JUST as important as what the artist does. The whole job is a balancing act. Can you give every fan enough of an experience while still keeping the line moving? The artist's time back there is the most valuable thing in the building, and there's always a set time, a soundcheck or a plane or bus call waiting on the other side of it.
It starts with how the room looks and feels. Some artists like music playing to keep the energy up, and some don't. Some don't want to be seen along the line at all until the fan gets to the front, so you set the room with a turn or a little drape that saves the reveal for that one moment. Lighting and mood matter more than people think. A dark hallway behind the stage makes for a flat feeling and worse photos. And a step & repeat with the right branding behind the artist, whether it's the tour, the event or the sponsor, makes every one of those pictures look like it came from somewhere special.
Then there's the briefing ahead of time. Before anybody walks back, we tell the group how it works and what to expect: how many photos, groups or solos, whether they can get something signed, how long they'll have, where to stand. Nervous fans calm down fast once they know what's coming, and the artist gets a relaxed person instead of a frozen one. A table at the entrance to drop bags and drinks keeps all that stuff out of the photos. And when it's over, nobody should be fumbling for their phone. A QR code or a simple card telling them how to get their photos sends them out the door happy and keeps the next person moving.
All of that only gets the fan to the front of the line. Then it's on the artist to deliver.
Many artists just grin and grip their way through it. After running them night after night, I understand that better now than I did earlier in my career. It’s hard to be ON all the time, that close to VIPs and fans. Other acts are experts from years of experience, or simply their personality and desire to please their fans. Other times, it's the "situation" and less about those two things. Out at a remote location on an aircraft carrier, in the moment, even the most timid artist may turn their engagement around.
And when you watch two major artists like those I worked with this weekend in San Diego, Pitbull and Gwen Stefani, and you see how those experts handle people in an M&G, you realize it's a special talent that some just have for handling people in that setting.
If you’re wondering, that massive show was our Operation MWR night at Naval Base San Diego on Saturday, October 10, free for sailors and their families. We fought through a tropical storm, which never happens in San Diego, and it was clear Gwen and Pitbull didn’t want to disappoint the installation command team or anyone else who had been promised a chance to meet them.
The meet and greet has quietly become a big business of its own. A decade ago, Pollstar was already writing that the VIP experience was "no longer just a meet and greet", with promoters adding pre-show parties and acoustic sets around the photo line, and one VIP company making the point that when fans pay a premium price, the service has to be perfect. Fast forward to 2026 and Live Nation is talking about building new arenas with up to 30 percent premium capacity, against a historic norm of about 1 percent. That's a lot of fans paying for "closer."
Nickelback is a good example of where VIP is headed. They announced their "Everything Under The Sun" 2027 world tour on Friday, roughly 70 shows with 39 in North America starting February 6 in Pittsburgh, and the VIP packages lean on premium tickets, a pre-show lounge and merch rather than a handshake line. Plenty of bands go that way now, and I get it. A lounge scales. A meet and greet doesn't.
Staind is taking "Break the Cycle" out for its 25th anniversary, 27 shows from March 4 in Manchester, New Hampshire to April 16 in Cleveland, with Seether and Hinder among the acts along for the ride. That's a whole generation of rock radio on one bill, and those fans will have the CD booklet in hand ready to be signed. Insert the face-palm emoji here, and stop right there if you don’t know what a CD is.
Remi Wolf just dropped her new album "Mud" and announced a 23-date Mud Tour for 2027. Her live show is loud, colorful and a little chaotic in the best way, and she's the kind of artist a college crowd falls for in one night.
Lola Young is heading back to North America with the 17-date "Everything Begins" tour. Don’t know her yet? She's raw and honest on stage, and her fans connect with her in a way you can feel in the room.
You've read about Pitbull, Gwen Stefani, Nickelback, Staind, and a couple of rising names above. These next five all have dates on the Degy calendar right now, and every one of them knows how to work a room, on stage and off.
Sugarland played the La Crosse Center in Wisconsin on Saturday, October 10, a date Nick DiRoma put together. Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush have been doing this a long time, and their fans still sing every word like it's 2008. Kristian has also been a huge hit for me on some military shows, and there’s no nicer dude to work with when he’s out doing his solo work.
Godsmack is back in that same La Crosse Center on Friday, October 16, thanks to Nick. Fans in that market get two very different nights in the same building in less than a week, which tells you something about what a mid-size arena can do.
Sal Vulcano is at the University of Maryland on Thursday, October 15, booked by Jeff Hyman, after playing Central Arkansas for our school client there last week. Students grew up on Impractical Jokers, so the line to say hi after the show can be as long as the show itself.
Nick Offerman hits Miami University in Oxford, Ohio on Friday, October 16, another Jeff booking. Dry wit, woodworking and a mustache that deserves its own meet and greet.
The Band Perry takes the stage October 24 on a date Aislinn Jones booked. It may be a new lineup from the group that rose to fame as a sibling band, but the reviews coming out of their recent shows have been raves.
IEBA meetings in Nashville last week, a Saturday night photo line in San Diego the next. Throw a family wedding in Colorado in between, with more conferences and shows on either side. What do you get? One very tired CEO named Ari. Just kidding, I’m feeling great, just a few days late on writing this blog. Still, that's a lot of handshakes for me and everyone involved. If any of you have a great (or terrible) meet and greet story, I'd love to hear it. I'll trade you twenty of mine.
Not going to lie, it’s starting to feel like that “I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night” commercial. But I promise, from somewhere in the world, I’ll see you next weekend!
For more than 25 years, Degy Entertainment has been the team in the room, from the stage to the photo line, putting on nearly 3,000 events a year across more than 30 countries. Our talent buying and middle-artist booking teams work with colleges, fairs and festivals, corporate events, military installations, parks and recreation departments and private events, and we sweat the details fans remember.
Planning a show, or want help making your next meet and greet one people talk about? Reach out to Ari Nisman anytime or learn more at Degy Entertainment.
What is a meet and greet?
A meet and greet is a short, intimate backstage moment where a small group of fans, usually VIP ticket holders, contest winners, or special guests, meets an artist for a photo and brief conversation before or after a show. Most last a minute or two.
Who typically gets access to a meet and greet?
Access is usually reserved for VIP ticket holders, radio contest winners, sponsor guests, or special guests such as military commanders and Gold Star families. Event organizers and artist teams decide eligibility based on the show’s ticketing and partnership structure.
Why is running a meet and greet so challenging?
The job balances giving each fan a meaningful experience while keeping the line moving. Artists have limited time before soundchecks, travel calls, or performances, so the team must manage room setup, guest flow, photo logistics, and the artist’s energy level all at once.
How does room setup affect a meet and greet?
Lighting, mood, and layout shape the experience. A dark hallway can make photos look flat, while a well-lit space with proper branding behind the artist makes each photo feel special. Some artists prefer music to keep energy up, while others want privacy until the fan reaches the front.
What is a step and repeat and why does it matter?
A step and repeat is a branded backdrop used for photos. Displaying the tour, event, or sponsor branding behind the artist makes meet and greet photos look polished and gives fans a memorable souvenir.
How should fans be briefed before a meet and greet?
Teams should explain the number of photos allowed, whether groups or solos are permitted, whether autographs are included, how long each guest has, and where to stand. Clear briefings reduce nervousness and help the artist interact with a relaxed guest.
Why do meet and greets sometimes fail to deliver the expected moment?
Plans can change quickly, and even well-prepared moments depend on timing, artist energy, and circumstances on the day. A planned surprise, such as a marriage proposal, does not always happen as expected, which is why flexible planning matters.
How can fans get their photos after a meet and greet?
A QR code or a simple card with instructions lets fans access their photos on their phones after the event. This prevents fumbling at the photo line and keeps the line moving for the next guests.
Why do some artists handle meet and greets better than others?
Experience, personality, and a genuine desire to please fans all play a role. Some artists are naturally comfortable with close-up interaction, while others turn their engagement around when the situation calls for it.
Are VIP experiences replacing traditional meet and greets?
Many artists now offer premium packages with pre-show lounges, merchandise, and acoustic sets alongside or in place of the photo line. Lounges scale more easily than individual meet and greets, which is why many tours have shifted toward them.
What is the difference between a VIP package and a meet and greet?
A meet and greet is a specific photo and conversation moment with the artist. A VIP package is a broader bundle that may include premium seating, a pre-show lounge, merchandise, early entry, or a meet and greet as one component.
How do meet and greets work for military and special guest events?
Military and special guest meet and greets require extra care, coordination with command or family support teams, and a respectful approach. Teams plan the room, briefing, and flow carefully because these moments carry special meaning for guests.
What should artists and crews consider when planning a meet and greet?
Consider the room’s look and lighting, the number of guests and time allotted, the briefing process, photo logistics and branding, and the artist’s schedule before soundcheck or travel. Thoughtful planning keeps the experience meaningful for fans and manageable for the artist.