It’s that time of year again, you’re planning a live corporate event or maybe a fundraiser and now you have to make the decision of whether you want to book local talent or bring in a major national act. This choice can significantly impact things like your budget, marketing strategy, audience turnout, and your overall event experience for your attendees. Local artists can bring community engagement and be cost effective, while major national acts offer a wide appeal and buzz. Understanding the advantages and limitations of both can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your event goals, audience expectations, and financial resources.
One of the biggest advantages of booking local talent for your corporate event is that it is highly cost-effective. By working with artists who are based nearby, you can eliminate expenses associated with airfare, hotel accommodations, hospitality riders, and the act might even be able to provide their own production instead of you having to source it. These allow your budget to stretch further and be redirected towards things like production upgrades, marketing efforts, or booking additional acts to the lineup.
Local performers also tend to have lower performance fees, making them a practical choice for any event with tighter financial constraints. Another significant benefit is their flexibility and availability. Because local performers aren’t tied to national tour schedules or long-distance travel most of the time, they are typically more responsive and easier to coordinate with. This flexibility makes it easier to schedule, adjust timelines, or handle any last-minute changes without too major of a disruption to the event.
Additionally, booking local talent offers easier logistics. There's no need to manage complex travel arrangements, handling backline, or complicated paperwork. Local performers often have experience working with their regional venues and local production teams, making setup and coordination much smoother. They also tend to be able to provide their own full backline since they won’t be flying. Their familiarity with local audiences can also enhance the overall show experience, especially if you’re doing a fundraiser or charity event.
Despite these benefits, local talent does have limitations. One major drawback is their marketing reach. Local acts usually have a smaller following confined to a specific region, making it harder to generate broad interest or sell tickets based on name recognition alone. This can impact promotional reach and event visibility if your event is ticketed and available to the public.
Another consideration is industry reputation. Without national accolades or media exposure, local talent may not carry the same weight as an act with more name recognition. As a result, some attendees might view the act as background music to your event.
Finally, limited draw is a common challenge. Unless the local act has a particularly strong fan base or a unique appeal, it may be difficult to attract attendees from outside their immediate community. This can impact attendance and reduce the overall scale and financial return of the event.
On the other hand, booking national acts comes with several standout advantages, starting with their name recognition. Major talent can significantly elevate the appeal of your event to your audience creating an element of hype for the event. Their established popularity can draw larger crowds, often willing to pay premium ticket prices just to attend. Simply having a recognizable headliner can instantly enhance the overall profile and value of your event.
Another major benefit is their marketing power. National acts typically come with their own built-in fanbase, personal brand, and sometimes even a dedicated marketing team. Their presence can attract media attention, create social media buzz, and engage the audience to generate excitement. Event planners can also leverage the artist’s promotional platforms to amplify reach and boost ticket sales.
Additionally, these acts bring a level of uniqueness and excitement that can set your event apart from others. Hosting a major name adds an exclusive “can’t miss” element that makes the event feel special and memorable. For many attendees, it's a rare opportunity to experience a high-profile performance without traveling to a major city. Having an event with major talent to celebrate your employees will give them reason to feel proud and share their experience.
Working with major talent can also come with notable challenges. The most significant can be higher cost. Booking fees for major talent can be unexpected depending on the act you select. On top of that, planners must negotiate travel expenses, hotel accommodations, and backline. These expenses can quickly consume a large portion of the budget. It’s important to understand the limits of your budget before sending an offer to an artist to figure out what’s set aside for artist fees versus production and hospitality.
Complex logistics are an area where you as the buyer will need to be adaptable to the act’s needs. National acts often have very specific technical and hospitality requirements outlined in their riders, including sound systems, stage dimensions, lighting design, and green room provisions. Meeting these demands requires thorough advance planning and negotiation. Looking at an artist’s rider with your production team before submitting an offer can help you understand what you might have to provide or negotiate.
Finally, scheduling conflicts are more common, so being flexible as the buyer with your date will help with securing a national act. National acts are typically booked well in advance as part of extensive tour and festival schedules, making date alignment with your event a potential challenge depending on the act. Even after confirming, changes in the artist’s tour routing, health issues, or larger booking opportunities may lead to cancellations or rescheduling.
Ultimately, the decision between booking local talent and securing a national act hinges on your event’s specific goals and budget. Local artists offer affordability, adaptability, and a strong connection to the community, making them ideal for intimate gatherings. In contrast, national acts bring star power, expansive marketing reach, and a sense of exclusivity that can elevate your event.
By weighing the pros and cons of each option, event planners can strategically choose a path that not only fits their resources but also delivers the desired experience for their audience. In some cases, blending both can provide a balanced and impactful solution. You could have a national act as a headliner while using a local act as support.
Navigating these choices can be complex, which is where Degy Entertainment steps in! We offer expert guidance, industry insight, and access to a wide network of both local and national talent. With Degy’s support, we can ensure that you have a successful event!
Contact us today to start planning a show that fits your goals and your budget. Let’s make your event unforgettable!