What do you do if your event production budget is tight?

The right venue is huge in overall budget determinations. As an event production and AV provider working with smaller groups and lean budgets, we've seen that the wrong venue can end up costing clients so much more than they bargained for. For example, many venues that have Encore in-house will have an exclusive on breakouts or rigging, which can cost far more than what we charge as an independent company. Look at the overall puzzle and do the math.

While there's nothing like a healthy decor budget, there's so much you can DIY to create beautiful events when funds are tight. Number one on my list is to source greenery and flowers from your own backyard, if you have one. Azalea, hydrangea or boxwood branches can make a great base for table decorations and floral arrangements-on their own or paired with flowers from storebought bouquets or florist purchases. I like to add moss, tree bark and glass containers into the mix for interesting terrarium centerpieces and accents. To create vibrant pops of color, take an adjustable color light and shine it through a visually interesting vase of greenery, like bamboo, projecting a large shadow of the leaves onto a color filled wall. Get creative!

As a boutique corporate event production company trying to provide max value for tight budgets, we try to recommend decor and stage set designs that are versatile, reusable, and give the most bang for their buck. Printed graphics can be swapped out from event to event. Uplights can change color. Ultimately, good audio-visual where an audience can clearly hear and see your message can make up for an otherwise basic set-up.

Market wisely but don't exaggerate. (For example, the infamous Fyre Fest disaster or the more recent and smaller-scale Willy Wonka experience in Scotland.)

Be intentional and thoughtful when approaching businesses with sponsorship opportunities. Conduct thorough research and pick potential sponsors who are aligned with your event's mission. Especially in cycles of inflation or recession when many businesses are tightening their budgets, be sure you are giving something of real value in exchange for their support, not just their name on a sign or program. Both cash and in-kind sponsorships can have a significant impact on your event budget bottom line, so be sure you're providing real benefits. Consider quick engaging video interviews of your sponsors talking about your event that you can share, post and tag on social media and really pump up their involvement and visibility in the community!