I've noticed several performers offer to perform for "hospitality suites".
Can someone shine a light on what that means?

Tha hospitality suites I know of are in hotels, and I would be
Surprised if that was a very large market.

Am I mistaken on the meaning of "hospitality suite" or is there more
opportunity performing in hotels than I thought?

Often at conventions companies host hospitality suites and in reality more actual business is done there than on a convention floor.

Folks come to the suite to do business and sign contracts and so forth. You entertain them while they are waiting.

It is a large market and can be used to ones advantage easily.

I agree. This has nothing to do with "performing in hotels." It is part of the trade show and convention/conference markets. These are professional markets. This is NOT the same as what consumers know of as hospitality suites like in hotels for frequent guest programs, upgraded amenities, a concierge level, and so on. While some hotels may call them hospitality suites, these are not at all what performers or the industry mean when they refer to hospitality suites or working hospitality suites.

In conferences, conventions, trade shows, or association events (all professional markets) these are privately rented suites paid for by an individual exhibitor, sponsor, or participant (not actually part of the designated event by the host/producer) for special wining and dining of their VIP clients and warm and hot prospects attending the industry event.

We book many of these as while they may have entertainment and/or attractions, there are also ambience models, product specialists, sales reps, upper management, food, drink (a lot of drink) that combine to make it a wooing event and experience for these hot prospects. They are usually NOT open to the public or conference/convention/trade show attendees unless specifically invited by the hosting company themselves.

So there can be many different companies hosting their own hospitality suite/event within a conference/convention/trade show. Some prospects may be wined and dined by many different and even competing vendors at once allowing some people the ability to go from party (hospitality suite) to party all night long.

While entertainment can be part of these, it is usually not like a feature performance or key attraction as it is usually just part of the festivities. Guests are not coming for entertainment, and from the hosting companies perspective it is not about the entertainment it is about sealing and closing deals. This is so important for performers to realize. I was once at a hospitality event we booked that had Elton John performing and at one point during his performance the CEO went up to him mid-song and asked him to stop playing as he wanted to announce a 20 million dollar deal with a certain client. It was crazy.

Also, while some of these may be in suites at the venue or hotel, they may also be in private banquet or ballrooms at the venue. We also just booked one with dueling piano players and it was only one of about a dozen entertainers and attractions we booked at this one event in this one ballroom at the same time. Other events are smaller and may only have a strolling magician or other variety or ambience performer.

As many business professionals will tell you, it is the show within a show. It the their key event within the conference. Sure they may spend $60,000 on their exhibit booth, but it is the hospitality event where most business is conducted and relationships are cemented.

This is a very large market, but again a professional market, not a consumer market.

Why do you ask???

Thanks guys. I hadn't considered conventions and the like.

I have to say "Dueling piano players" is the most interesting thing I read today.

As for why I ask, I've been looking at a number of performers websites and
most offer it as one of there services, most place it far down on a list of
"things they do" if its a corporate market I Doubt that is very effective,
It would have to be targeted specifically, unless I'm mistaken.

Some trade show performers do the hospitality suite in the evening for the company they're working for during the day. I never did one but friends who have tell me it was usually close up and if you get lucky a stationary place to perform rather than strolling.

Yeah, I prefer stationary performances rather than strolling as well.

It is an effective way to do things on many levels.

Someone offering it as a list of things they do seems a waste.

For those who work in the industry,
Are the corporations expecting that an entertainers presence is
more likely to lead to a new client? (ie, elton john was there so
i decided I'll buy my bottles from this company.) if so a lot
of folks are selling the wrong thing.

It seems many performers are selling there service as a means of
simple entertainment as opposed to a way for the company
to acquire clients and increase profit.

It is to entertain those who show up and to raise the perception of those seeking. It is not about selling anything. The selling is done it is about comfort and confidence in those who you bought from. That is generally speaking. There are exceptions to every rule.

Yes most sell the wrong thing because of a performer only seeing things from their own very limited perspective.

Thanks danny I understand now.

Entertainers need to understand their role and the expectation of the client. More so, they need to truly understand the market itself.

These hospitality events are also not one size fits all which I was trying to demonstrate with the Elton John story. There are some of the bigger events that have a fully staffed and catered event with a major feature artist. I've done these events with Elton John, Maroon 5, Tony Bennett, Penn & Teller, and Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran and Robert Herjavec from Shark Tank. These are larger events usually at a national conference or association event here in Las Vegas.

However other events entertainers are just for ambiance and the experience right along with models, hor d'oeuvres, perhaps some music, where things are more in the background so the primary purpose is to talk, discuss, and allow deals to be made.

Unlike the trade show floor where a magician may be used to present a message, capture leads, or as a path and process to their sales reps, this is not so at hospitality events.

This is also why many of these companies and clients rarely would hire a general magician that has it buried down on their websites. They wouldn't look for someone on Gigmasters, but rather find someone that knows and specializes in these events and are booked through professional channels not as consumer bookings.

Thank you mindpro for Clarifying, it was my expectation that similar to trade shows
Most companies, specifically mid size and large ones, wouldn't hire a performer who
puts it as one of a list of many services, (I've seen some list it after "birthday party")

Yea some may as well add “and grill”.

I would like to enter this market. What are the first steps?

Based on what? Why would you like to enter this market?

The first step is I would learn everything you can about the trade show/convention/conference market. Really learn, not just the surface-level stuff. Not magician's learning, but real industry market research. Understand it is a Professional market.

Next is this even doable where you live or are you willing to relocate or travel?

Study everything you can on Professional markets vs. Consumer markets.

I just glanced at your website - literally for maybe 6 or 7 seconds. You will not book this market with that website or promo. You have things that would make professional buyers run or click off of it immediately.

Create a business model, operational and marketing plans designed for this market. Spend some time in the Foundational level with this market as basis, then work towards getting market-ready. Don't attempt to do so until you truly are.

What will you be offering them?

Create your promotional materials and website specifically for this target market, it processes, its preferences, and its buyers.

Of course not all (actually most do not) sponsors or exhibitors host hospitality suites. Start to create a list of those that are known to do so.

If possible try to attend a trade event, conference or convention and try to attend or at least check out one or a couple of these. As previously discussed all are not the same.

That should get you started. Be prepared for the commitment and long-haul process. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.

Best of luck!

A good start might be having video on your web page as other than street performance. Nobody will take you seriously for this work from street videos with David Blaine style reaction editing, some of which seems less than genuine.

Also you want to separate the kids barmitzvah (however that is spelled.) things from this market. Again who would take you seriously for that roll if you are deciding between a couple hundred bucks and thousands?

Perception matters. You need to seem to be worth a lot of money to them. Not net worth, but a great value for them.

I've done these quite a bit. Funny enough I don't think I've ever heard anyone say the words "hospitality suite". They often say things like, "we're having an after-party for our best clients," or, "We've set up a dinner after the trade show and all of our industry partners and clients will be there."

They sometimes will want you to brand things, use corporate language in your magic, or something to that effect.

I personally dislike doing that kind of stuff these days and I don't think I've ever been good at it. I have a few friends that are VERY good at that. Since this is only a small fraction of my events each year, I try not to pretend I specialize in any kind of magic and marketing type stuff, though you could make a great living doing that if you go all in.

I now lean in an highlight my ability to connect people, showcase the company in a good light, and try to customize 1 simple thing instead of the whole thing.

I find this to be a much more honest approach since people want me as a personality to be present, and to associate their brand with me and my work. This is the result of having a strong local presence, a good brand, and having bigger projects that others want to associate themselves with.

When in doubt, focus on what service you could provide them in these situations.

Interesting reading through this thread again, first one I started, I think.

Chris, you are probably going to struggle to find a lot of info on this
market specifically, (I certainly did). It's tied to several different
markets, and isn't really anything on its own.

You may want to start a dialog with a hospitality suite sales rep, sounds
weird but I found they know quite a bit about their clients.

A lot of hospitality suites are suggested by DMCs.

Chris, although your website is no doubt better than mine, you adding
"hospitality suite" to it now would look a lot like "and grill".

It's just a fancy word for a large meeting room. Or that's how I see it. LOL

But yes, the term "hospitality suite" is often misinterpreted and confused by many magicians. This is because the term can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is being used. In the hospitality industry, a hospitality suite refers to a private room or suite within a hotel or convention center that is used for entertaining guests, clients, or customers. These suites are often equipped with comfortable seating, food and beverage services, and other amenities to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for guests.

However, in other contexts, the term "hospitality suite" may refer to a room or area within a business or organization that is used for hosting events, meetings, or other gatherings. For example, a corporation may have an employee ‘meeting room’ within their office building that is also used for hosting important clients or business partners. This room may be equipped with audiovisual equipment, catering services, and other amenities to create a professional and welcoming environment for guests. Despite the different meanings of the term "hospitality suite," one thing remains consistent: the purpose of a hospitality suite is to provide a comfortable and welcoming space for guests. Whether it is within a hotel, convention center, or corporate office, a hospitality suite is designed to create a positive and memorable experience for guests. Done right, adding entertainment with magic can be a big plus for events held in these ‘meeting’ rooms.

Tom

No. No. No.

The term has a VERY specific meaning, regardless of how you misinterpret it.

They may be used for different things at different events but term is quite specific. To pretend otherwise is to further a misunderstanding that will be quite expensive.

A hospitality suite is very specifically not a meeting room. A meeting room is a meeting room. Most times that feel is exactly what people want to get away from. They have nothing to do with rooms at offices. Those are office parties at best. Ugh.

I’ll give an example. Used to be, yes long ago in a a galaxy far far away, when I attended the local fair conventions and you owned a midway or carnival you had a great booth at the state fair conventions you wanted to work in. Or the local ones or even the biggie in what was then Las Vegas. You would get all the information, talk to who you had to, check dates and get sold in the booth or if you had a big enough event often lunch or dinner. No contracts were signed at the booth. That was done in the hospitality suite. This was the owner showing off.

As a magician your job on the equation was to entertain these people while they waited. Your are reflecting on the owner here as well as yourself. Oh and it was a great way to book an entire summer of fair work for yourself if you were clever. I’m not even sure if the rules allow for this any more. Don’t try it without research.

Translate this to trade show hospitality suites and the process is close. Best part is it becomes a showcase.

Believing it has anything to do with local meeting rooms is just not going to help you at all. First you have to know what it is and why they hire. I just gave you more information about the subject than is probably in print. Believe it or not it isn’t that difficult to get into, once your act is qualified.