<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=349935452247528&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Search
word-map-thumb

The Alternative Board Blog

Perfect Business Conference Playlist: Take a Look at this One

Jun. 11, 2015 | Posted by Dave Scarola
business conference

One of my favorite parts of planning our annual Facilitator Conference is selecting the music. We want the music to be upbeat. Create energy. Selecting the right music can be tricky. Just like good humor, the music should be subtle. Anyone can put a playlist together with the most obvious tracks - I aspire to find the right combination of tracks that reinforce the theme while maintaining a good blend of intrigue and familiarity.

As you think about your upcoming conferences, take a look at this playlist of songs that I like to throw into our playlists and see if one or all of them may be a good fit for you. 

Upbeat

Story in Your Eyes by The Moody Blues: the lyrics are complex but I’ve always found this to be an inspirational song. It sets the tone that each attendee should work to take away from the conference what resonates best with them.

It’s the End of the World (as we know it) by REM: if your conference or event involves change, this is always a solid choice - though maybe a little obvious.

Tamacun by Rodrigo y Gabriela: a great wrap-up tune for the intro series. This one is all instrumental but has a positive, upbeat feel to it. It puts people in a great mood.

Everybody’s Everything by Santana: another great session wrap-up tune and a high-energy song about change that says: Get Ready!

Down to earth

Times They Are a Changin’ by Bob Dylan’: another good pick, especially for change-based themes. We have a lot of Bob Dylan fans in the office and so this track has a lot of meaning to us.

Classical Gas by Mason Williams: for the keynote address, flashback to 1968. I think all keynote addresses should be proceeded by Classical Gas! This song really sets the tone that something important is happening.

Just My Imagination by The Cranberries (1999): consider this infectious tune from the 90s to get everyone in the right mood to hear some speeches. 

Want additional insight? Download Easy Ways to Improve Your Company Culture

DOWNLOAD

Jazzy classics

I Hear Music recorded by Billie Holiday: if you're looking to get the attendees engaged for day two, consider starting off the day with this gem from 1940.

Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra: even if you have a younger crowd, this is a catchy and positive tune that attendees will be humming to themselves throughout the day.

What a Wonderful World by Louie Armstrong: honestly, who doesn't know and love this song? It's a fantastic testament to Louie Armstrong's musical talent and one of my personal all-time favorites. This one is sure to put a smile on anyone's face. 

Inspirational compositions

Praan composed by Gary Schyman: one of my personal favorites for conferences is this sweeping and beautiful song. I first became exposed to this music from the Where the Hell is Matt (Harding) 2008 video. This music is so unlike what attendees typically hear at a conference that it would make some attendees think "now this is different."

Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major by Chopin: this one is a slower tune but lovely all the same. You may also consider a selection of Debussy's greatest hits.

If you love any or all of these songs as much as I do, check out our playlist here to get recommendations for similar tracks - happy listening!

Getting ready to plan your next event? Check out TAB's blog post on event planning

Remember to discuss music licensing with your facility coordinator prior to the event to be sure you are legally covered to play copyrighted music. Many venues have built-in blanket agreements with performance rights societies, but if they don't you might be responsible to pay an additional fee as explained in this article on music licensing for trade shows and conventions.

***

Being in charge of running a business can be lonely and stressful. By joining a TAB advisory board you leverage the experience of successful local businesses. Why trust your business to just one business mind? Join TAB and benefit from hundreds of years of shared wisdom. Apply here

Read our 19 Reasons You Need a Business Owner Advisory Board

DOWNLOAD

Written by Dave Scarola

Dave, one of our C-Level executives at The Alternative Board, has over 20 years of consulting, product development and technology experience across many different industries including telecommunications, hospitality, healthcare and financial services.

Related posts

How to Improve Website Traffic Conversion
Aug. 24, 2022 | Posted by Boris Kimelman
Advertising prices are steadily rising and the measurability of advertising tools is eroding. Brands are currently operating in a state of blindness, so it is important for business owners to...
Quick and Easy Way to Maintain an Active LinkedIn Presence
May. 27, 2022 | Posted by The Alternative Board
LinkedIn is a mainstay social media platform for business owners and professionals. No news flash there. But while most of us understand that having an engaging LinkedIn presence can bring tremendous...
Tips For Improving Your Networking Skills This Spring
Apr. 19, 2022 | Posted by Phil Spensieri
Love it or hate it, networking is essential for business growth and success. It’s often the bane of existence for many business owners that I work with. But if done right, you can take the hassle of...
How Social Media Can Drive Product Innovation
Apr. 15, 2022 | Posted by The Alternative Board TAB
The process of product innovation has, for some time, relied upon a cadre of forward-thinkers within an organization, and/or soliciting input from customer surveys and focus groups. These methods...
When a Business Owner Wears a Selling Hat
Mar. 4, 2022 | Posted by The Alternative Board
If you are like most business owners of small or mid-sized businesses, there are times you must put on your Selling Hat. When you put on that Selling Hat, your mindset needs to change to one of “What...
5 Ways To Manage A Remote Sales Team
Nov. 5, 2021 | Posted by The Alternative Board
Sales leaders have struggled with managing remote sales teams even before the pandemic. Today, with an increasing number of organizations moving partially or fully remote, the need to put practices...
Phone Sales Mistakes Your Team Might Be Making
Oct. 28, 2021 | Posted by The Alternative Board
Cold calls and other approaches to phone sales might not be considered as vital as they once were, but many businesses still rely on this method for customer acquisition. That’s all well and good, as...
How to Lead More Productive Sales Meetings
Oct. 26, 2021 | Posted by The Alternative Board
Sales meetings, like business meetings in general, come fraught with potential minefields. They’re often perceived by team members as a waste of time, too predictable and boring, not long enough or...
5 Surefire Ways to Boost Repeat Sales
Oct. 19, 2021 | Posted by The Alternative Board
Aside from new customer acquisition, repeat sales is the “holy grail” of all company sales departments. Having customers come back again and again for your products or services should be at the very...
Increase Online Traffic by Improving Your Website’s Design
Oct. 12, 2021 | Posted by Emma Carter
  You need a website if you’re selling products and services online. This is an excellent marketing tool that can be used to attract potential leads and customers. However, what if you’re not...