Why book entertainment from a professional agency?
There are many advantages to booking entertainment for events, parties and weddings from a properly run entertainment agency. The first thing anyone who is intending to book a band, entertainer or musicians should do is to find a genuine, professional, reliable agency.
How to recognise a good professional agency!
All agencies should be run under The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 which are enforced by the department of Trade and Industry. There are a great number of so called agencies which are sometimes little more than a 'shop front' for one band or entertainer selling their own services and perhaps those of a few friends and acquaintances and in these days of the world
wide web, it is all too easy to give the impression that this kind of business is a genuine agency offering a professional service. Many business like this are often not even aware of the Regulations, some of which are very strict and specific regarding the conduct of the business and are in place to protect the interests of both the booker and the entertainers. Often these 'agents' believe that a lot of experience and association with top professional musicians, artists or producers qualifies them to be
agents. This is of course very valuable - many agents started in the industry as performers - but on its own it is not enough.
How to select a good professional agency
There are two professional bodies who represent professional Entertainment Agencies - The Agents Association of Great Britain (The AA) and The National Entertainment Agents Council. - The NEAC (Prima Artists is a member of this body and also the NOEA - National Outdoor Events Association) . Both were involved in the formulation of the above regulations with the DTI and as such advise their members as to their obligations under the law. Members of
the NEAC, as a condition of membership, are obliged to adhere to the strictest Code of Conduct within the industry to ensure that they maintain the highest principles of ethical business practice.
Membership of one of these bodies is a good indication that you are dealing with a professional agency. Most member agencies are full time businesses. Beware of answer phones! Especially ones that have a personal message and accept calls for all the family members and beware of businesses that only return your calls later in the evening! A professional agency will publish its terms of business. If the agency
can not produce these as a matter of course it is almost certainly not operating in line with legislation.
Reason One - Choice.
Most genuine agencies who work in the area of corporate events, private parties and weddings will have a wide range of available music and entertainment at various budget points and will offer options based on your expressed taste and ideas and your indicated budget. They will also advise which are cost effective options without compromising quality. Many agencies have special relationships with bands and artists
and get good rates. Also, a good agency can ensure that you get the best value from your entertainers. For example, it can be difficult for a private client to ask a band to perform three sets when they have only offered two but your agent can insist more easily as he will know the artists in question.
Reason Two - Convenience
A professional agency will be able to take care of all of your entertainment requirements. You may decide to book any or all of a Disco, a live Party Band , a classical or jazz group to play during your drinks reception and meal, music for your ceremony, a master of ceremonies, a comedian, a magician or a caricaturist . You will get a co-ordinated, flexible but structured proposal and will not have to keep several
balls in the air adding to the stress and complication of organising your day, dealing with several different artists or smaller agencies.
Reason Three - Free Advice and Consultancy.
An established professional agency has a lot of experience within the entertainment industry and providing entertainment and music for weddings, parties and corporate events. The agent will know what is available across a wide range of music and entertainment, what works, what does not work, which artists represent the best performance at a proscribed budget. In other words he can guide you in terms of quality and
value for money.!!
Reason Four - Back Up and Contingency should things go wrong.
If there is a last minute hitch - sickness, mechanical breakdown or any unforeseen circumstance which will unavoidably prevent your chosen band or entertainer from appearing at your wedding or event, a committed professional agency will have a lot of resources which can be deployed to 'save the day'. They will have a note of artists' last minute availability and a huge artists database and will prioritise ensuring
your event is a success by making every effort to find a suitable substitute.
Reason Five - Clear Professional Paperwork and written assurances
When you make a decision on something as important as your entertainment and/or music for your wedding or any other event you need to have assurances that all you have asked for will be provided without fail, on time and in the most professional way. A professional entertainment agency will provide a written contract confirming all of the arrangements including, date, times location, payment terms and what is expected from
the band or artist and also from you, the client. The agency will also provide a copy of its terms of business. Prima Artists use Ace Professional Plus agency software to administer its contracts - these contracts are compliant with the relevant legislation. Ask your agent what kind of contract will be issued.
Reason Six - Public Liability Insurance and PAT tests
A professional agency will carry public liability insurance to cover liabilities arising from its own business activity. In addition it will require that artists emplyed under contracts issued have their own Public Liability Insurance. Where the act uses electrical equipment as part of its act (most bands, discos, etc) the agency will require that the equipment is PAT Tested (Potrable Appliance Test). Many venues
insist on this and it may be a condition of the venues own insurance. Artists without PAT test certification may not be allowed to perform.
Reason seven - Handling of Monies for Artists and Clients advance payments.
Most properly run agencies (but not all) will have a Clients Bank Account to be used for funds belonging to Artists. Prima Artists also use this account to retain advanced payments and deposits paid by clients. Client monies are not passed to artists or used by the business in any way until the contract has been performed. MORE DETAILS
If your chosen agency matches all of these criteria there should be no problems and you will have a succesful event with quality entertainment delivered professionally
Prima Artists - The Bonuses!
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