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Frequently Asked General Questions About Booking Comedians, Speakers, and Entertainers | A to Z Entertainment, Inc.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Welcome to the A to Z Entertainment, Inc. FAQ! For over 25 years, we’ve been a full-service booking agency helping clients nationwide book clean corporate comedians, inspiring keynote speakers, trainers, and top entertainers. Whether you’re planning a corporate conference, private party, fundraiser, or festival, we handle everything from personalized recommendations to full logistics. Browse our questions below or contact us and we’ll be happy to help you!

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About A to Z Entertainment, Inc.

A to Z Entertainment, Inc. is a full-service talent booking agency helping clients book and hire funny corporate comedians, professional keynote speakers, and talented entertainers for any type of event or show. We have over 25 years of successful experience.

Working with an experienced booking agency like A to Z Entertainment saves you time, money, work and stress. Because we have long-standing relationships with the artists (comedians, speakers, entertainers) talent agencies, we often secure the best available rates (preferred pricing) and more flexible contract terms than clients can negotiate on their own. Because artists' agencies know and trust us, we can usually get you a better deal and a smoother booking! The artist almost always pays our commission; if not we'll let you know upfront. At A to Z, we also do more than just book the artist for you, we handle all the details and work—availability checks, rider negotiations, contracts, travel and logistics coordination, and if you want, we'll even plan and produce your event for you. You can just sit back and enjoy the show! Our 25+ years of experience means we know exactly which artists will be the perfect fit for your audience and budget and we know how to plan and produce successful events and shows... at no extra cost. It's up to you!

We are based in Knoxville, TN and serve all types of clients all across the United States. We help corporations, performing arts centers, promoters, fairs and festivals, rodeos, casinos, religious organizations, educational institutions, and private parties. We have booked artists for events outside the U.S.  We'll be happy to help you with your events and shows.

At A to Z, we can book virtually any available comedian, speaker, or entertainer you want. The people you see on our site's rosters are representative only, so if you do not see the artist you want, just let us know and we'll be happy to help you get that artist to your event!

Our Services and Talent 

We have booked hundreds of events with some of the most famous artists in the country. We also know and can suggest lesser-known but highly talented comedians, speakers, and entertainers for just about every budget and every type of event.

Certainly! We specialize in booking clean, family-friendly, corporate talent because that is what most of our clients want. We also book Christian comedians and Christian and gospel entertainers.

We can handle almost every detail of the event-booking process for you. If you want, we can plan your event for you and even come and produce it so that you can enjoy the show stress-free. You're the boss, so we'll do as much, or as little, as you want us to do... with no extra fee.

The Booking Process

Our booking process is simple, transparent, and designed to take the stress out of hiring talent. Here’s how it works step-by-step:

  1. Inquiry – You contact us with your event details (date, location, type of event, audience size, budget range, and any preferences you have as far as which artist you want and any additional requests you want the artist to do at your event (how long to perform, meet and greets, sign autographs, etc.).
  2. Personalized Recommendations – Within 24 hours (often sooner), we send you several highly suitable options that match your event needs, audience, and budget.
  3. Availability and Quote – We check current availability and provide detailed quotes, including all fees, travel, and technical requirements.
  4. Selection and Contract – Once you choose your preferred talent, we'll make an offer to the artist. If the artist accepts the offer, we'll handle the contract, deposits, and any rider negotiations.
  5. Coordination and Delivery – If you prefer, we manage all logistics, travel arrangements, and on-site coordination so everything runs smoothly. You have one dedicated point of contact throughout.
  6. Event Day – The artist arrives prepared and delivers a memorable performance. We follow up afterward to ensure everything exceeded expectations.

Most clients tell us the entire process feels effortless because we handle the details while you focus on enjoying the event.

You can request availability or a quote in any of these easy ways:

Simply tell us the name of the comedian or speaker you’re interested in, along with your event date, location, and any other details. We’ll check their availability and send you a personalized quote, usually within a few hours.

To provide the best possible recommendations and accurate quotes, we need the following information:

  • Event date and location (city & state)
  • Type of event and approximate audience size
  • Your budget range (this helps us suggest the best fits)
  • Any specific preferences (clean corporate comedian, type of keynote speaker, family-friendly entertainer, etc.)
  • Name of the comedian, speaker or entertainer you’re interested in (if you have one in mind)

The more details you provide, the more targeted our response will be.

We pride ourselves on fast, responsive service. Most inquiries receive a reply within 24 hours, and often much sooner — usually the same day if received during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM Eastern Time).

Weekend inquiries are typically answered by the next business day. We understand event planning often moves quickly, so we work hard to get you the information you need as soon as possible.

Pricing Fees and Contracts

There is no additional cost to you when you book through A to Z Entertainment. Our commission is almost always paid by the artist, not by the client. We will always notify you of any exceptions upfront. Usually, you pay only the talent’s quoted fee plus any agreed travel or production expenses. This allows us to negotiate the best possible rates and terms on your behalf while keeping the process transparent and straightforward.

No. Using A to Z Entertainment, Inc. is usually free for you, the client. Recommendations and availability checks are always free to you. Our services—including negotiations, contracts, and full coordination—are almost always covered by the artist’s commission. If not, we'll discuss this with you. Again, you almost always only pay the talent’s performance fee and any direct expenses (travel, lodging, etc.). There are no hidden fees or surprise charges.

Pricing varies based on the talent’s popularity, experience level, and the specifics of your event.

  • Talent Levels: Established headliners and well-known comedians/speakers generally command higher fees than emerging or mid-level performers.
  • Event Types: Corporate events, galas, and large conferences typically have different rates than private parties, fundraisers, or smaller venues. Factors such as event duration, travel requirements, and technical needs also influence the final price.

We provide transparent, all-in quotes tailored to your budget and event. We always attempt to negotiate in your favor because without you, the event doesn't exist. Simply share your date, location, audience size, and budget range, and we’ll send you realistic options that fit. Our goal is to find the best value and quality combination for your specific needs — with no hidden fees.

Every booking includes a clear, straightforward contract that protects both you and the artist. It typically covers:

  • The performance date, time, and location
  • The agreed talent fee and any travel or production expenses
  • Deposit amount and payment schedule (usually 50% deposit to secure the date, with the balance due shortly before the event)
  • Technical rider (sound, lighting, and staging requirements)
  • Hospitality rider (meals, transportation, or hotel if travel is involved)
  • Cancellation, insurance, force majeure, recording, etc. terms

We review the entire contract with you before signing so there are no surprises. Our experienced team handles all negotiations and paperwork, making the process simple and stress-free.

Timing, Availability, and Policies

For best availability and selection, we recommend booking 3 to 6 months in advance but 6-12 months is better, especially for high-demand artists. When in doubt, just contact us and we'll check availability, no matter your time-frame. If you have an emergency (your artist fell ill) we have successfully handled last-minute requests and have secured great talent with as little as a few weeks’ notice. The sooner you reach out however, the more options we can offer!

Our cancellation and rescheduling policy is clearly stated in every contract and is tailored to each booking.

  • Most artists agencies won't allow refundable deposits but we will advise and help you with contract and deposit terms.
  • We can almost always negotiate no cancellation on the part of the artist for your event. If something happens to the artist, we always try to reschedule your event on your terms or find  comparable alternatives for you at the same or better quality and price. Full policy details are provided with your contract.

If the chosen comedian, speaker, or entertainer becomes unavailable (due to illness or other unforeseen reasons), we will immediately notify you and either negotiate rescheduling on your terms or offer comparable alternatives from our roster at the same or better quality and price. In over 25 years of business, this situation is rare, and we have always been able to reschedule or find an excellent replacement that meets or exceeds your expectations.

Event Types and Special Requests

Yes. We can book many of our comedians, speakers, and entertainers for virtual, hybrid, or livestream events. Virtual performances are often more budget-friendly and allow you to reach a wider audience. We handle all technical coordination and can recommend talent who are experienced and engaging in online formats.

We support a wide variety of events, including:

  • Corporate events (conferences, sales meetings, holiday parties, team-building, and galas)
  • Private parties and celebrations (weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and family reunions)
  • Festivals, fairs, rodeos, and casinos
  • Performing arts centers and theaters
  • Fundraisers and non-profit events
  • Educational institutions and religious organizations

Whether your event is large or small, formal or casual, we have the right comedians, keynote speakers, and entertainers to make it memorable. We also handle virtual and hybrid events.

Yes — we frequently handle last-minute bookings and can often secure excellent talent with as little as a few weeks’ (or even days’) notice. However, booking well in advance of your event increases the chance that your desired artist will be available. 

We also specialize in matching talent to specific themes, such as clean corporate comedy, motivational or inspirational speakers, holiday-themed entertainment, family-friendly shows, or industry-specific presentations. Just let us know your theme, audience, and any special requests, and we’ll recommend the perfect fit.

 

Still have questions? Our team replies within 24 hours (often sooner). Contact or call us for personalized recommendations and a no-obligation quote. Ready to create a memorable event? Let’s get started!

Book Entertainment Today 888-655-4575    Get a Free Quote

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