You have to spend money to raise money and no one knows that better than event planners and organizations producing fundraisers. When the goal of an event is raising money for a good cause, the organizer has to be extra careful about expenses, particularly when it comes to potentially costly entertainment. When I am approached by a charity organization, I always assure them that I can assist them with creating a multifaceted, unforgettably entertaining event, while keeping an eye on the bottom line. There are many creative ways to keep costs down while jacking the excitement up!

Ancient Rome

When MRE partnered with Southern Ocean County Hospital for their Annual Chrysanthemum Ball, we kept costs under control by accessing some of our local talent for an Ancient Rome theme that meshed perfectly with their venue – Caesar’s Atlantic City. The 500 plus guest fundraiser kicked off with a cocktail reception that included “Living Statues” and Caesar and Cleo themselves mixing and mingling with the guests. Next, “Herald Trumpeters” played a fanfare to signal the opening of the dinner reception as Caesar and Cleo beckoned the guests into the ballroom. To immediately engage the guests, one of our phenomenal dance bands – “Dance Force” – got the party started and energized the dance floor.

To keep guests engaged, we topped off the evening with an element of surprise. During dinner, the room was ignited with our customized “Gladiator” show highlighted by top area stuntmen engaging in a faux battle to the death on the dance floor. After the show, “Dance Force” returned to help the guests dance the night away. The event was a huge success while keeping the bottom line intact and exceeding their fundraising goals.

The key to creating a stimulating event is in the diversity. Dotting the event with several different types of atmospheric entertainment can create the thread that ties the theme together. Adding the splash of fantastic music, lighting and décor further energizes the guests’ experience. Adding at least one element of surprise will have guests talking about their experience for weeks to come and will motivate them to return for next year’s “fun”draiser.