14 Nov 09 Tips for Cutting Meeting Costs

With an increasing emphasis on savings these days, it seems everyone is looking for a deal.  Resourceful meeting planners still can find new and innovative ways to cut meeting costs.  It is just a matter of creativity and looking carefully at every single expenditure.  

Here are some tips to help you cut costs on your next meeting or event:

1. Find some great hotels in second-tier cities or near a major city that has easy access to the downtown area.  Town center hotels tend to be much more expensive, and often have higher taxes than hotels outside of the city center.  
2. Consider when the best rates are available.  Is it mid-week or weekend?  Find the lowest cost dates for the venue you select based on the rate patterns.
3. Be flexible with dates and scheduling and location, in order to take advantage of cost savings.
4. Save on meeting room rental by serving food in the meeting room or allowing the hotel to book an evening meal event there.
5. Get sponsorships from vendors who add value to your meeting attendees.

These are just a few of the ways bargain planners save.  You can probably expand on this list and find many more creative ways to save on your next event.

Tags: Attendees, Bargain, Creativity, Cutting, Easy Access, Hotels, Meeting Planners, Meeting Room Rental, Nbsp, Sponsorships, Venue