Demmer said he took clients to a Chicago concert last year, and the relationship he built has proved fruitful. In the past four years, Northwest Airlines has hosted private concerts in cities around the country. In the audience are a few thousand of Northwest's most frequent fliers, most valued travel agents and corporate travel managers. On stage are such performers as James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, the Four Tops, B.B. King and Chicago. Shows that work Some companies are also cementing business relationships by inviting clients and their children to family events, such as Disney ice shows.
Suite holders can buy tickets to all other events.
But not every show that appears at those two arenas is good for business. Mainstream pop artists, such as Neil Diamond, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, were all popular business-development events, said Lisa Olson, Target Center suite operations manager. Rapper Puff Daddy was less popular for client entertainment, she said. And some business people say a good game is still the champ as a corporate-schmoozing opportunity. That's really good.