Corporate entertainment has shifted significantly, led by technology and wider cultural trends. For leaders at the Event Organisers Summit planning awards nights, conferences, brand activations and client hospitality, the brief has evolved to one where audiences want to be engaged, not just entertained. Delegates are more experience-savvy than ever. They attend festivals, immersive exhibitions and high-production live events in their personal lives, and they expect corporate programming to reflect similar levels of creativity and relevance. The traditional ‘book a safe act and hope for the best’ model is losing traction…
What’s rising in 2026
Immersive, space-led entertainment is high on the shortlist. Rather than a single stage performance, planners are opting for roaming performers, themed environments and multi-sensory experiences that transform the room. From interactive digital installations to live artists who personalise work in real time, the focus is on participation rather than passive viewing.
Interactive performers are also in demand. Hosts who can weave company messaging into light-touch, inclusive humour are replacing generic after-dinner acts. Similarly, musical acts that encourage audience involvement, live bands taking requests, collaborative drumming sessions, or vocal ensembles working the room, are outperforming traditional “watch-only” sets.
AI-enhanced experiences are emerging as a talking point. From AI-powered caricature stations to real-time generative art based on audience input, technology is being used to create personalised takeaways without defaulting to physical merchandise. Used carefully, these features add novelty and shareability without overwhelming the core event.
There is also a continued appetite for purpose-led entertainment. Acts that reflect sustainability, diversity or local culture resonate strongly with corporate audiences keen to align events with organisational values.
What audiences are tiring of
At the same time, some formats are beginning to feel dated. Generic tribute acts without a creative twist, predictable game-show formats and comedians who rely on divisive or risky material are increasingly viewed as high-risk or low-impact.
Corporate audiences are also less tolerant of entertainment that ignores context. A performance that might suit a Christmas party may not land at a mixed-audience awards ceremony or senior leadership conference.
Similarly, excessive gimmicks without substance are falling flat. Audiences can quickly distinguish between genuinely engaging experiences and surface-level novelty.
The 2026 mindset: relevance over routine
The most successful event programmes are those designed around audience insight. Leaders attending the Event Organisers Summit are asking sharper questions: Who is in the room? What is the tone of the event? How should entertainment support networking, brand messaging or recognition?
The shortlist is no longer about booking the “biggest name” within budget. It’s about curating entertainment that feels current, inclusive and purpose-driven. Corporate audiences still want to be wowed, but they want to feel part of the moment, not just spectators.
Are you searching for Entertainment solutions for your events? The Event Organisers Summit can help!
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
