Skip to main content

GETTING MORE WITH LESS. Budgets May Have a "Ceiling"...Creativity Doesn't

The federal government is learning the hard way, what the event industry has already known for a few years now and that is it's time to get creative and figure out how to make do with less.

While this is not a new concept, those who are not able to grasp it often react with a "knee jerk" approach and cancel anything that is perceived to be expensive.  It is the easiest task in the world to produce greatness with unlimited funds however it takes a little ingenuity and creativity to still deliver results when the funds are not there.

Thankfully with a paper clip, dental floss and a dixie cup you can "MacGyver" your way to amazing results in event design.

Below are a few events we have produced over the past few years that have had budgets of $35,000 or less for groups of 400 or more.  This budget has had to include the following:
Decor - Linens, centerpieces, stage decor, perimeter
Lighting
Entertainment
Audio Visual - Sound, video, projection
Multi-media
Technical Direction
Overall event management and logistics

ALL THIS for less than $35K

Case Study 1: Corporate Holiday Event | 400 guests


Case Study 2:  Corporate Awards Gala | 800 guests


Case Study 3:  Corporate Welcome Reception | 500 guests


Case Study 4:  Corporate Awards Gala | 600 guests 


Five Key Tips For Cost Savings Event Design:

1. Lighting, lighting and lighting:  A little bit of well placed lighting can go a long way.  L.E.D's are no longer an upgrade, they are the standard.  You may spend a few more dollars however you get 50 x's more impact.  One room set can yield 50 different looks at the touch of a button.

2. Staging:  It's often included in the F&B contract and you are only limited by inventory that is available.  Unique configurations and large scale staging and add immediate impact to your room.

3. All in the family:  Family style seating is a hot trend right now.  It adds a unique look to your dinner rather than the typical banquet round.  The plus side is that you can achieve this look utilizing standard 6' or 8' buffet tables that most venues already own.

4. Go Big or Go Home:  When you have less $, focus your budget on fewer, yet bigger design elements that will add immediate impact.  Large props or set pieces can tell the whole story.

5. Simple Tables:  Intricate design details at each table are nice when you have the $ however items such as charger plates, napkin rings, premium linens and designer chairs can all add up.  Go with monochromatic colors, no prints, illuminated centerpieces rather than florals requiring a pin spot and spandex chair covers rather than expensive chair rentals can all save you hundreds of dollars.

Popular posts from this blog

INFINITY EVENTS produces the ultimate Welcome To OC Event

On January 6, IEI president, Robb Thornsberry produced the opening night event for 1200 attendees of The Special Event Conference & Tradeshow.  Although this is a typical event for many Anaheim conventions, these were not your typical convention attendees and this was not your typical welcome reception. Attendees of this event were other event professionals from around the world who have seen it all, so impressing them would not be an easy task.  This would require a venue that no one has ever seen before.  Since building a new venue would not be an option, Robb approached The Anaheim Garden Walk, a nearby outdoor shopping mall that had plenty of space and was within walking distance of the convention center or a brief 2 minute shuttle ride.  The challenge was to create an event that had to impress in a venue that has never been used as an event venue before. Utilizing two levels, in the back portion of the shopping center that sees very little foot traffic was transformed

SOKA University of America 12th Annual Peace Gala

The Peace Gala and Fundraiser is a time honored tradition at Soka University. All proceeds from the gala benefit the Soka University Scholarship Endowment fund. Infinity Events was selected to produce this year's gala which took place on October 8, 2016. and used the beauty of the SUA campus and Soka's core values of Hope and Peace as the inspiration for design which focused on transforming the SUA Recreation Center into a utopian landscape of a lush green field beneath a sky of blue and white clouds. This very special evening is kicked off at  SUA's beautiful two-story, 8,000 square foot Founders Hall Art Gallery which served as the location for event registration, cocktail reception and silent auction. Following the cocktail reception and silent auction, guests make their way to the SUA Recreation Center for dinner, live auction and entertainment. It was important that the look and feel of this space not only WOW each guest but to also capture the essence of SU

Entertainment With An Edge!!!

What to do when you've done it all?  Need to spice up the same ole same ole?  Need to make sure your limited budget can deliver an impact?  GO TO EXTREMES! Below is an entertainment concept that you just don't see everyday.  What better way to ensure your event is memorable and have your guests talking about it for months to come than to give them something they've never seen before. AeroTek AeroTek is an outdoor, aerial and stilt movement spectacle. Featuring five acrobats on stilts rolling into backbends, splits, and a myriad of sculptural forms, AeroTek stretches one's perception of the human body. Strutting and dancing, suspended and flying the performers’ pincer-like metal legs slice the air as they spin and swim like fencers in a seas, barely missing each other in their fervent exploration of their metal home. Shedding layers of armor, the acrobats slowly transform from superhuman warriors to fragile nymphs balancing high above the audience, hanging precari