20 WAYS TO save money ON YOUR NEXT EVENT

• Published in: Canadian business (1977) Vol. 82; no. 8/9; p. S5
• Main Author: Eagle, Sandra
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: Toronto St. Joseph Communications 01.07.2009
• Subjects: Budgets; Cost reduction; Events planning; Guidelines; Hotels & motels; Canada
• ISSN: 0008-3100; 2292-8421

Being budget conscious is a necessity during tough economic times, but planners still need to deliver the optics of a great event. Some tips to keep in mind when planning your next program are: 1. Destination locations that have high tourism allure reduce their pricing during the shoulder seasons. 2. Look at where the bulk of your attendees are coming from. 3. Consider cutting the number of complimentary passes. 4. Eliminate open bars. 5. Ask for the venue to set up a standard instead of a premium bar. 6. Shorten the conference schedule to reduce the time spent at lunch, and don't serve dessert. 7. Eliminate continuous coffee service throughout a meeting or conference. 8. Have a buffet instead of a plated meal. 9. At breakfast, have the bagels cut in half and serve mini-muffins instead of large ones. 10. Ask your preferred decor company what they have available that is not labor intensive. 11. Use existing decor within your chosen venue or hotel. 12. For smaller-budgeted campaigns, utilize your money where it counts.