Venue Business-Your thought?

[jck2003]

Hi,

I am just wondering if any of the members on here have had experiences in the event business. I mean holding music concerts, comedy shows etc.

All help is appreciated as I am interested in this type of business especially the organizational part that is core.

All help and comments are appreciated.

[jasaunders]

Yes, but depends what aspect you are talking about.

I ran a promotions company for a few years some time ago. We promoted some large events and threw our own small-medium sized events. These included concerts and comedy shows, in addition to local promotional events and fundraisers. Feel free to pm me with specific questions.

[Paint and Air Sportz]

What are are you in?

[colinmcmahon]

I've got a bit of experience. What do you need?

[jck2003]

I am looking for links on how best to set such a business up holding some small events mainly focusing on comedy and music. Any advice or links are appreciated greatly guys. Couldent find any decent links on google or advice.

[colinmcmahon]

There's nothing for this online man, it's a live and learn industry.

[syia]

I have once did it for my school.. but it just a simple one.. not a fancy making money event

[jck2003]

Well there must be some form of links about organisation etc.

Could someone possibly tell me their experiences and how profitable this sort of business was for them?

[jasaunders]

I was most successful with strategic partnerships. For example, we had an exclusive contract with Anhauser Busch to promote their events and received a lot in exchange. Depending on your niche, find companies that you can help promote and go from there. Our partnership with Budweiser and other organizations and charities helped us expand our business and throw bigger parties and events.

[jck2003]

Indeed That sounds great. Thanks for sharing your experiences with me. Anyone else?

[Paint and Air Sportz]

I was most successful with strategic partnerships. For example, we had an exclusive contract with Anhauser Busch to promote their events and received a lot in exchange. Depending on your niche, find companies that you can help promote and go from there. Our partnership with Budweiser and other organizations and charities helped us expand our business and throw bigger parties and events.

Just wondering, how did you get the contract for Anhauser Busch, did you know someone in the company are did you just call and make an appointment or what?

[ashishszone]

Depends on how much you want to invest and start with. Here is what we did while managing a small event management organization...
1. Got the performers ready for the event.
2. Using the performers goodwill, started to get sponsors in the area (it could be for one event or you can have a contract for all events throughout the year).
2. Booked venue, and started marketing the event. Out target was to sell tickets that could cover the venue and performers cost. That way, whatever the sponsors paid was profit to keep.

..and yes, we did pretty good.
Let me know if this sounds like what you are looking for....

[jasaunders]

I had a friend who was an intern for the local distributor. He connected me with his boss' boss who was in charge of promotions and event planning for the regional distributor and we went from there. We didn't get in because we knew someone. We got in with them because once we had the right connection, they not only liked our ideas and what we could do for them, they also liked us personally and thought we could help them attract other college aged people. As a result, they threw money and prizes at us and pretty much gave us free reign to do whatever we wanted.

[jck2003]

Depends on how much you want to invest and start with. Here is what we did while managing a small event management organization...
1. Got the performers ready for the event.
2. Using the performers goodwill, started to get sponsors in the area (it could be for one event or you can have a contract for all events throughout the year).
2. Booked venue, and started marketing the event. Out target was to sell tickets that could cover the venue and performers cost. That way, whatever the sponsors paid was profit to keep.

..and yes, we did pretty good.
Let me know if this sounds like what you are looking for....

Yes this was exactly what I was thinking of pursuing.
Renting Venues and holding comedy gigs and music concerts etc.

Did you do many of these monthly and did you find sponsorship hard to get? Also, what did you offer sponsors? General advertising as rented venue and tickets?

Thanks everyone else who responded.

[ashishszone]

Hi..
We did one per month, or sometimes one in two months...because it was not a fulltime business for us, per se.
We did provide multiple benefits to Sponsors...
1. routing sales to them by providing there discount/offer coupons on the event tickets.
2. Putting their banners on the venue. Gold sponsors (who would pay more) can have their banners on the stage. You may charge based on locations if its a big venue. Also, once we did give kiosk to sponsors who wanted to showcase their products or sell their stuff.
3. We provided complimentary tickets to the event to sponsors family and put their names on the event website, and link to their business site...

etc...their are lot of creative ways of doing it based on sponsor, and how much money you need. Some people also would pay you thousands of bucks just to be on stage with the celebrity...like welcoming the celebrity and getting their picture in newspaper...

so its a fun thing ...think, act , enjoy..