Children’s Entertainer shares industry tricks with travel students

A top UK children’s entertainer – who has performed for celebrities – visited Walsall College to provide inside industry tricks to its Travel and Tourism students, who are preparing to plan and deliver their own entertainment activities.

Pete Goldsmith, known as PJ the Showman, has over 15 years’ experience in the entertainment industry. He performs at birthday parties and magic shows aimed at 5-11 year olds, with famous clients including Dragon Den star Deborah Meadon and Harry Potter actor Bill Nighly.

Pete has also worked at a number of UK Holiday Centres, including Butlins and Park Resorts, as well as family resorts in Spain, Russia and Sweden.

His talk to students covered all the different aspects that go into organising an entertainment programme, including choosing a venue, how to meet audience expectations, ensuring there is a good stage presence and choosing performers with different skills.

Pete’s presentation also included unique marketing methods entertainers use to promote their events to parents and children.

Travel and Tourism Lecturer at Walsall College, Gina Turner, said: “As part of their Entertainment unit, students have been tasked to explore the skills, qualities, roles and responsibilities of an entertainer.

Hearing first hand from someone currently working in the industry was very valuable to their research. It has given them a greater understanding of the sector and inspired them for the next part of the unit, which is to organise and host their own entertainment activities for a particular target audience.

The feedback we’ve received from students have been overwhelmingly positive. They found the presentation incredibly useful, and have gained invaluable knowledge in organising their own events, along with business ideas, which will enable them to market their events to their target audience.”

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