Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 24
* * * WORK SMART
Inflation Woes-
and Ways to Conquer It
When everything is more expensive, what is a planner to do?
BY MALIK ANDERSON
S
taying in budget has always been one of
the top challenges listed by meeting professionals.
Rising inflation for everything
from venues and staffing to chicken and eggs
is a recipe for overages. In fact, the reported
25% increase in average airline ticket prices has
given many attendees pause. A recent study by
American Hotel & Lodging Association discovered
that, although an encouraging 69% of Americans
are likely to travel this summer, 90% percent say
inflation is a major factor in their decision to do so
within the next three months.
But there are ways to stay in the black for those
well versed in the art of cutting costs. Smart
Meetings talked to our in-house meeting planner,
Michele Gardner-Kelley, about ways to save money
on everything from room rates to decor.
The First Cut
Cutting down on essentials for an event is no
easy task, but there are ways to shave costs
without attendees feeling any change in quality.
One way this can be done is by eliminating the
least necessary item first.
One trick is to go to standard room from deluxe
room for attendees, Gardner-Kelley suggested.
This way you can keep the upscale property, but
the incremental savings for the entire room block
will add up at the end of the stay.
Another cut that feels like an addition is
eliminating canned beverages in favor of refillable
water bottles-it is better for the environment and
the budget. Smart Meetings collaborates with
Heart Water to give out reusable water bottles to
keep people hydrated and make a
social difference as the company
donates to provide clean water in
areas where it is lacking.
You can also ask to have coffee
and tea stations refreshed half as
often to save on staffing costs since
we all know how expensive coffee service
can be.
The Last Cut
There's one thing Gardner-Kelley believes, unless
absolutely necessary, one should not skimp out
on: experiences. The experience your attendees
have during your event " is the most memorable, "
she said.
Same goes for meals. Cutting on food is
also a big no-no in Gardner-Kelley's eyes.
" People remember that, " she added.
Also last on the list to be cut: Audiovisual.
" That is the show, " she explained.
You can have the most elaborate stage
set and highest paid speaker, but if no
one can see or hear, it is not going to have
an impact.
24
JULY 2022 * SMARTMEETINGS . COM
APPS
FOR
SAVING
Yep, there are apps for saving
money at events.
If you aren't already, Kelly recommends
using event apps, as they
save on printing costs in addition to
their environmental benefits. " Any
paper you can remove from the
show is a win, " she said.
Uber for Business is a logistical
and financial tool. The company
offers corporate travelers access
to rides and meals in more than 70
countries and 10,000 cities. Uber for
Business can help event professionals
streamline the entire planning
process, saving you time and money.
Smart Tips
Cities of all sizes rely on meetings business.
Smaller cities, in particular, may be more lenient
in catering to your needs, especially if you're flexible
in your dates and times, Gardner-Kelley said.
" Smaller cities may work more with you on rate
and budget, especially if you can be flexible on
your dates and times to fill a hole between individual
travelers, " she added.
And if you have any difficulty finding transportation
or entertainment, Kelly recommends working
with the city's local CVB. " Work with local CVB
partners because they know what is available and
might be able to help. Their job is to help bring
people there, " she said.
Final tip: " A local DMC can also be priceless
when it comes to creating impact. "
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue
Table of Contents 1
July 2022 Digital Issue
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Web Table of Contents
Founder/CEO's Letter
Dash of Smart 1
Dash of Smart 2
Essential List
Smart Buzz
Event Recap: Regional 1-day Experience - Mid-Atlantic
New and Renovated
Smart Moves/Power Players
Smart Chat
Work Smart
Meetings MBA
Essential F&B
Healthy World
Smart Tech
Smart Style
Smart Stars Winners 2022
Feature: Second Tier Cities
Feature: All-Inclusives
Feature: New and Renovated
Destination Opener
Puerto Rico
Colorado
Idaho
Missouri
Chicago
Site Inspection: Portland
Site Inspection: Florida Keys
Advertorial Opener: Regional Meetings
Smart Space
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Event Recap: Regional 1-day Experience - Mid-Atlantic
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Table of Contents
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Table of Contents 1
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Table of Contents
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 3
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Web Table of Contents
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 5
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Founder/CEO's Letter
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 7
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Dash of Smart 1
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 9
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Dash of Smart 2
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 11
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Essential List
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 13
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Smart Buzz
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 15
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 16
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 17
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - New and Renovated
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 19
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Smart Moves/Power Players
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 21
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 22
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 23
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Work Smart
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 25
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Meetings MBA
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Smart Chat
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Essential F&B
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 29
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Healthy World
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 31
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Smart Tech
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 33
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Smart Style
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 35
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Smart Stars Winners 2022
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 37
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 38
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 39
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 40
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 41
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 42
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 43
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Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 53
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 54
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 55
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 56
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 57
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 58
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 59
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 60
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 61
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Feature: Second Tier Cities
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 63
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 64
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 65
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Feature: All-Inclusives
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 67
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 68
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 69
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Feature: New and Renovated
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 71
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 72
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 73
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 74
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 75
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 76
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Destination Opener
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Puerto Rico
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 79
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 80
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 81
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Colorado
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 83
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 84
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 85
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Idaho
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 87
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 88
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 89
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Missouri
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 91
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 92
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 93
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Chicago
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 95
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 96
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Site Inspection: Portland
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Site Inspection: Florida Keys
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Advertorial Opener: Regional Meetings
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 100
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 101
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 102
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 103
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 104
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 105
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 106
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 107
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 108
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 109
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 110
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 111
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Smart Space
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Cover3
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - Cover4
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