64 Ideas to Entertain your Small Business Clients
Here are 60+ budget-friendly ways for a small business to entertain clients. Ask each of your invites to bring a friend you don’t already know. All of the ideas below present an opportunity to pass out business cards, coupons, branded pens, hats or shirts while you’re there! Or heck, cupcakes with your logo! Bring your own branding!
The location should provide a lot of opportunity for conversation and networking for all guests. Make introductions.
We’ve all heard of the big companies that hired (__Insert Mega Band Here__) to play a private show for their clients and employees. Well, we’re not a big company either, but here are a few of our favorite ideas to entertain current clients and potential clients.
- Coffee Meetup: We’ve all done it. We’ll continue to do it.
- Pizza Party: Host a pizza-making party at your office. Or book the private room at your favorite joint.
- Local Food Truck: Arrange for a food truck to cater. Way better than sitting in a restaurant.
- Bowling: Close down a couple of lanes and enjoy! Or, sponsor the team!
- Tickets to a game: Minor League baseball, hockey, golf tour, etc! If it’s in the budget, spring for the box seats!
- Park / Picnic: Kid friendly and a lot of socializing!
- Golf: Enjoy a round of golf with clients. Don’t worry, everyone stinks.
- Art Museum Visit: Explore a local art museum with group tickets.
- Ice Cream: Create an ice cream bar. Or rent the entire ice cream truck!
- Local Farmers Market Tour: Visit a farmers market and sample local products.
- Trivia Night at a Pub: Attend a trivia night at a local pub.
- Nature Hike: Take clients on a nature hike.
- Yoga Session: Arrange for an outdoor yoga class. Have you heard of goat yoga?
- Local Brewery Tasting: Explore a local brewery or vineyard for a tasting.
- Food Tasting Tour: Plan a tour of local eateries for appetizers and food.
- Get Crafty: Host a DIY craft night at your office or a public space.
- Bounce House: Invite the kids, have some fun.
- Attend a Comedy Show: Go to a local comedy club for laughs.
- Corporate Drumming Workshops: Offer drumming workshops for team-building and entertainment.
- Escape Room Challenge: Take clients to an escape room adventure.
- Cultural Festival: Attend a local cultural festival. Mmmmm, the food!
- Local Sports Game: Purchase discounted group tickets to a minor league or college game. Maybe spring for the box seats?
- Cooking Class: Arrange a budget-friendly cooking class with a local chef.
- Picnic at the Beach: Enjoy a day at the beach with a picnic.
- Karaoke Night: Have some clients that like to sing? Host a karaoke night!
- Art and Wine Night: Participate in a paint-and-sip event.
- Visit a Botanical Garden: Explore a nearby botanical garden.
- Ice Skating: Go ice skating at a local rink. Lots of laughs!
- Visit a Public Library: Spend time at a local library. Have you been to a library lately?
- Bike / Boat Ride: Take clients on a scenic bike or boat ride. Boat rental companies have sprung up everywhere.
- Concert: Attend a free or low-cost outdoor concert. Or if your budget permits, box tickets.
- Dinner at a Diner: Enjoy a casual dinner at a diner.
- Local Bookstore Reading: Attend an author reading at a bookstore.
- Visit a Community Garden: Explore a community garden together.
- Historical Walking Tour: Take a self-guided tour of historical sites. Our favorites are Boston and Savannah.
- DIY Spa Day: Have a spa day with homemade treatments. Clients for life.
- Local Art Gallery Opening: Attend a free art gallery opening.
- Attend a Local conference: Check out a free or low-cost lecture, seminar or conference.
- Hot Air Balloon Ride: Close and personal.
- Visit a Zoo: Spend the day at a free zoo or animal sanctuary. Bring the kids! Spring for the private experience for your clients.
- Public Volleyball or Basketball: Play sports in a public park.
- Motivational Speaker: Bring in a motivational speaker for an inspiring client event.
- Visit a Local Landmark: Explore a notable local landmark.
- DIY Outdoor BBQ: Host a budget-friendly outdoor barbecue. Show off your skills, or get the food truck.
- Visit a Historic Site: Explore a nearby historic site.
- Local Pottery Painting: Try pottery painting at a local studio. Paint flying. Lots of laughs.
- Visit a Science Museum: Check out a science museum with discounted entry. Bring the kids!
- Attend a Local Fair or Carnival: Visit a fair or carnival. Great for clients with kids.
- Local High School Sports Game: Support a local high school sports team. Consider a donation to the school on behalf of your small business.
- DIY Cookie Decorating: Decorate cookies together at your office.
- Visit a Local Community Center: Explore activities at a local community center.
- Host a Themed Potluck: Arrange a themed potluck at your office.
- Visit a Planetarium: Check out a planetarium show.
- Beer Tasting: Organize a local beer or wine tasting session. Ask your favorite bartender to host.
- Outdoor Painting Session: Paint outdoors in a scenic location.
- Dance Instructors: Arrange for dance instructors to teach a variety of dance styles.
- Attend a Public Lecture: Explore a public lecture on an interesting topic. Check local colleges!
- Visit a Nature Reserve: Spend time in a nearby nature reserve.
- Local Band Performance: Hire a local band or solo performer.
- Local Art and Craft Fair: Attend a nearby art and craft fair. Maybe there’s a great local artist that can put on a demonstration.
- Visit a Community College Performance: Check out a performance at a community college.
- Local College Sports Game: Attend a local college sports game.
- Hire a Photographer: Everyone needs a headshot! Or, family photos with Santa. Your clients will have it forever.
- Magician/Illusionist: Hire a magician or illusionist for a magical and entertaining experience.
For more localized ideas, check your community / newspaper / social media / events calendars, Ticketmaster.com and local college schedules.