Comedians for events engage business audiences and add fun to corporate events. Whether your business is organizing a large corporate conference for employees or a planning a private party for prospective clients, business comedians provide the right atmosphere to get your audience laughing. Plus, professional comedians for hire give audience members a great impression of your business.

There are a wide range of corporate comedians available to excite, motivate and enliven corporate meetings. However, before you book comedians, carefully evaluate the following:

1. Are the event comedians talented professionals with comedic experience relevant to your business or corporate event?

2. Does the business comedian offer clean, non-offensive comedy routines suitable for a wide range of ages and demographics?

3. Do the comedian agents provide reputable entertainers priced within your company's event budget?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select comedians for events who are skilled professionals with corporate comedy experience

Hire comedians who are professional, recognized names in comedy and entertainment. Be sure your comedian for hire has experience in business settings, conferences and events, and request a list of corporate references. Request that your corporate comedian customize comedic routines based on your audience, event size and business goals.

I recommend: Command Talent features some of the world's leading comedians, like Bill Cosby, Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Kevin James, Tim Allen, Drew Carey and Jeff Foxworthy. Dan St. Paul specializes in customized comedy for corporate events and has performed for corporations like Hewlett Packard, National Semiconductor, IBM and Blue Cross. Technically Funny features comedian Don McMillan, who performed at more than 300 corporate events over the last 10 years and incorporates his previous corporate career into his comedy routines.

Book comedians who present clean comedy routines appropriate for all audiences

In professional settings, it is imperative to find business comedians who will deliver laughs without offending any audience members. Make sure your corporate comedian produces a clean, funny, professional show suitable for all ages, demographics and cultures. Before you hire comedians online, request video performance samples.

I recommend: David Ferrell offers clean comedy suitable for all ages and demographics. Daren Streblow offers comedy engagements for corporate events, college events and church events, with online testimonials from colleagues and clients. Clean Comedians has provided live entertainment and clean comedy for more than 5,000 organizations and features online sample video clips.

Hire a comedian with competitive prices

Choose comedians for hire who offer reasonable rates that fit within your company's event budget. Find out if the price quoted includes travel, meals and related expenses. Ask if the event comedians provide their own sound system and lighting, or whether your business must pay for additional production needs.

I recommend: Charter Talent offers a "best price guarantee" that assures they will beat all competitors' prices. Get $100 off your first booking at The Entertainment Shack. The Sweeney Agency offers a calendar with speakers' schedules so businesses can find out when a comedian will be in their area, which provides opportunities to share travel expenses with other local companies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your budget is tight, consider local or regional business comedians rather than national headliners. Local comedians usually charge less for events, and your business will save a considerable amount of money in travel expenses.