Planning a sales kickoff event isn’t just about presentations and strategy discussions. It’s about creating an experience that inspires your team, sets the tone for success, and brings energy into the room. One of the easiest ways to elevate your event is with music.

The right music can motivate your team, reflect your company culture, and keep everyone engaged throughout the day. This guide shows how music can make your sales kickoff memorable, with tips on choosing and using it effectively.

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Why Music Matters for a Sales Kickoff Event

Imagine walking into a room filled with silence. It’s awkward, right? Now imagine stepping into the same room, but it’s buzzing with upbeat music. It shifts the mood, creates excitement, and gives your team a sense of purpose.

Here’s why music is so important:

• Sets the tone: Music sets the mood for what’s to come. If you want energy, play something upbeat. If you want reflection, go for something calm.
• Keeps people focused: Long sessions can drain energy, but music during breaks recharges the group.
• Bring people together: Fun, familiar tunes build a sense of community and shared experience.
• Makes it memorable: A great playlist can leave a lasting impression and tie moments of the event to specific songs.

Types of Music to Consider

The type of music you choose will depend on the tone you want to create. Different moments in your event call for different styles of music. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Upbeat and Energetic Music

Perfect for the start of the day or moments when you want to pump up the team. Think of songs with a fast tempo and a positive vibe. Examples include:

• “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake
• “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
• “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

2. Motivational Music

Sometimes you need songs that inspire and remind the team of their mission. These are great for opening keynote moments or closing speeches:

• “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
• “We Will Rock You” by Queen
• “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus

3. Background Music

Not every part of your event needs blasting tunes. Background music is great during networking breaks, lunches, or as attendees check-in. Consider music genres like:

• Smooth jazz
• Acoustic guitar
• Chill electronic (think artists like Kygo or ODESZA)

4. Theme-based Music

If you’ve got a theme for your event, why not choose music that aligns with it? For example:

• Retro ‘80s theme: Play classics like “Footloose” or “Living on a Prayer.“
• Beach or tropical theme: Go with laid-back reggae tunes like Bob Marley or the Beach Boys.

5. Celebration Music

Have a big moment, like announcing a record-breaking sales year? Celebration music should make everyone feel like they’re at a party. Look for songs that are fun and easy for everyone to sing along to:

• “Celebrate” by Kool & The Gang
• “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas
• “Raise Your Glass” by Pink

How to Use Music Throughout Your Event

Now that you know what types of music to use, how do you incorporate it into the flow of your event? Here’s how to use music effectively at each stage of your sales kickoff.

1. Opening the Event

The start of your sales kickoff sets the tone for everything. When your team walks into the venue, they should immediately feel energized and excited. Use upbeat, positive songs as people arrive and settle in. For example:

• Play a pre-curated playlist loudly enough to be heard but not overbearing.
• Use high-energy songs to introduce speakers or kick off the first presentation.

Pro tip: Create a “walk-up song” for key leaders or speakers. Choose a song that matches each speaker’s personality to make their entrance memorable.

2. Transitions Between Sessions

Breaks between sessions can feel awkward if there’s total silence. Use music to fill these gaps and keep the energy up:

• For quick breaks, choose light, fun tunes to maintain engagement.
• If there’s a longer break, switch to relaxing instrumental music.

Example playlist:

• Coffee break tracks like “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5 or “Island in the Sun” by Weezer.

3. Energizing the Crowd After Lunch

Post-lunch energy dips are a common challenge during events. Combat this with music that recharges and motivates:

• Play something lively right before the first session after lunch to reset the mood.
• Add engaging activities, like a quick dance break, to go along with the music.

A great energizer? Crowd favorites like “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars or “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.

4. Celebrating Milestones

Acknowledge major achievements with music that emphasizes celebration. This could be during award ceremonies, goal announcements, or team achievements:

• Play uplifting tunes as winners walk to the stage.
• Use call-and-response songs like “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond to create audience participation.

Milestone moments become even more memorable when there’s music to match the excitement.

5. Closing the Event

End your sales kickoff on a high note with an inspiring or reflective song. This brings the team together and leaves them with a positive feeling:

• Pick an anthem for the event—something motivating that sums up the day’s success.
• Follow it up with a memorable group activity, like everyone singing a feel-good song together.

Example closing songs:

• “Hall of Fame” by The Script
• “Simply the Best” by Tina Turner

Tips for a Smooth Music Experience

Music can make or break your event, so a little planning goes a long way. Here are some practical tips to ensure everything runs smoothly:

• Create multiple playlists: Break your playlists into categories like pre-event, breaks, and closing. This will make it easy to switch between them during the event.

• Test your audio equipment: Poor sound quality can ruin even the best songs. Run a sound check ahead of time to ensure you’re ready.

• Keep the audience in mind: Choose songs that reflect your team’s interests. If your group spans different tastes, stick to well-known hits that appeal to everyone.

• Assign a music coordinator: Assign someone to manage the music, so you can focus on the event.