"What if we only wanted the stage show?" "Can we just book the cocktail hour?"
Fair questions, and the answer for most of the year is yes. You can book one part on its own. The real question is which part your night needs.
The three formats
Close-up mingling. Magic in your guests' hands during cocktails, one small group at a time. It's the icebreaker. It gets people from different teams talking about something other than work and family.
The stage show. One shared moment for the whole room, usually after dinner. Your own people come up as volunteers and become the stars, never the punchline. Most shows run 45 minutes, and anywhere from 15 to 60 to fit your run sheet.
The full evening. Both, plus MC hosting: the agenda, awards, timing and transitions, handled by the same person. No separate emcee to hire.
Which one fits your night
Book mingling only if your event is mostly a reception: a networking night, a client mixer, a conference reception, an open house. There's no seated moment for a show, and the room is full of people who need a reason to talk.
Book the show only if you already have a strong reception, and you need one big moment after dinner. Something everyone sees together and talks about on the way out.
Book the full evening if you want the whole night covered. This is the most popular corporate format. Mingling warms up the room, which makes the show land harder, and you get hosting thrown in.
What each costs
For corporate events of 50 to 200 guests, plus GST, travel around the Lower Mainland built in:
- Close-up mingling, 1.5 to 2 hours: $2,000
- Stage show: $3,000
- Full evening, MC included: $4,000
Under 50 guests, mingling is $1,500, the show is $2,500, and both are $3,000.
Why December is different
In November and December, every booking is the full evening at a flat $5,000 plus GST.
Here's the honest reason. The holidays are my busiest weeks, and I don't want to be driving from one venue to another, giving each room half of me. Once you book me for a holiday party, I'm there for the whole night and not going anywhere else.
If your date is outside those two months, all three formats are open.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book just a magic show for a corporate event?
Yes, for most of the year. A stage show on its own is $3,000 plus GST for 50 to 200 guests, or $2,500 for under 50. In November and December, every booking is the full evening at a flat $5,000, because Kel stays for the whole night.
Can I hire a magician just for cocktail hour?
Yes. Close-up mingling for 1.5 to 2 hours is $2,000 plus GST for corporate events of 50 to 200 guests, and $1,500 under 50. It works best as an icebreaker at receptions, networking nights and client events. In November and December, the full evening is the only format.
How long is a corporate magic show?
Most shows run 45 minutes. It can be anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes to fit your run sheet, whether that's a short set between speeches or a full after-dinner show.
Which is better, close-up magic or a stage show?
They do different jobs. Close-up mingling gets guests talking during cocktails, one small group at a time. A stage show gives the whole room one shared moment. If you can, book both: the mingling warms up the room, and the show lands harder because of it.
