30 Tips for Keeping Meeting Expenses to a Minimum

Written by Susan Friedmann


Continued from page 1
15. Check into other groups. Find out about groups holding their meeting prior to and after yours and discuss staging needs. You may find that you can save on setup and teardown if you all haverepparttar same or very similar requirements. 16. Investigate sponsorship opportunities. Find sponsors to cover as many of your program expenses as possible, especially speaker fees, audiovisual equipment, and special meal functions. 17. Investigate grants. Although it might be a time-consuming exercise, you might look into specific federal, state, local or corporate grants that might be available for holding your meeting. 18. Use industry experts. To save on speaker expenses, consider using industry experts whose companies often pay expenses. Alternatively, use local speakers where appropriate to save on travel expenses. However, check how good they are before hiring them. You may end up with a dud! 19. Avoid renting unnecessary equipment. Double check speaker needs for audiovisual equipment to avoid renting unnecessary items. 20. Keep signage simple and reusable. Consider investing in a laminating machine to make your own signs. 21. Discuss economical audiovisual setups. Limitrepparttar 120211 number of microphones needed. Check ifrepparttar 120212 hotel supplies a complimentary microphone in each meeting room. Skirt a cocktail table instead of renting special carts for A/V equipment. 22. Use outside suppliers. Look outsiderepparttar 120213 hotel for possible audiovisual suppliers whose prices may be more competitive than those in-house. However,repparttar 120214 hotel may matchrepparttar 120215 other supplier’s prices if asked. 23. Save on transportation. Use airport shuttles instead of taxis. If you have a sizeable group attending your event, negotiate special discounts withrepparttar 120216 shuttle bus company. Alternatively, check ifrepparttar 120217 local taxicab company can provide discount coupons. 24. Arrange for one room. For smaller committee meetings that may be held during a larger conference arrange for a buffet luncheon to be held inrepparttar 120218 same room asrepparttar 120219 meeting to save on having to rent a separate room. 25. Negotiate food. Negotiate paying for food based on consumption. You can then return food without having to pay for it. 26. Minimize portions. Sever mini-Danishes, muffins and doughnuts, or cut larger servings in half. Many people (especially women and dieters) only want half to start with. Alternatively, serve a continental breakfast instead of a full breakfast buffet. 27. Opt for fewer choices. When it comes to hors d’oeuvres, go for fewer choices in larger quantities rather than a large selection in smaller quantities. And, remember to avoidrepparttar 120220 shrimp. People inhale it. There’s never enough!!! 28. Check for dead stock. Check ifrepparttar 120221 hotel has dead stock wine available (such as wine that in no longer onrepparttar 120222 wine list). You may be able to negotiate a great price for some really good quality wine. 29. Store opened bottles. Find out ifrepparttar 120223 hotel can store opened bottles of liquor from one reception and us them another reception duringrepparttar 120224 same conference. 30. Open bottles as needed. Asrepparttar 120225 banquet captain to open wine bottles only as needed. You pay for every bottle that’s been uncorked. Bonus tip: Avoid salty foods during receptions as it encourages people to drink more.

Written by Susan A. Friedmann,CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, author: “Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies,” working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training. Go to http://www.thetradeshowcoach.com to sign up for a free copy of ExhibitSmart Tips of the Week.




10 Killer Ways To Multiply Your Sales

Written by Carew Davis


Continued from page 1

7. When you ship out or deliver your product, include a coupon for other related products you sell inrepparttar package. This will attract them to buy more products from you.

8. Send your customers a catalog of add-on products forrepparttar 120210 original product they purchased. This could be upgrades, special services, attachments, etc. If they enjoy your product they will buyrepparttar 120211 extra add-ons.

9. Sell gift certificates for your products. You'll make sales fromrepparttar 120212 purchase ofrepparttar 120213 gift certificate, whenrepparttar 120214 recipient cashes it in. They could also buy other items from your web site.

10. Send your customers free products with their product package. The freebies should have your ad printed on them. It could be bumper stickers, ball caps, t-shirts etc. This will allow other people to see your ad and order.

Net Newbie


    <Back to Page 1
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use