February 2, 2015

Typically one of the most expensive parts of a meeting is the F&B (Food & Beverage) but there are a few tricks to help shave down these massive bills. For most attendees what you see is what you get.These three tips below demonstrate how to make your spread look plentiful while staying within your budget. 

food_spread

1. Ask the venue to put out small coffee cups instead of mugs. Coffee is expensive and most people will enjoy only one cup. Those who want more still have the option to go back and get another cup, but the majority of people will only have one cup of coffee, no matter the size. You can also ask for smaller dessert plates instead of a larger meal sized dish. Your crowd will not notice the difference and are likely to fill only what they have in front of them. 
 
2. When ordering lunch for a meeting from small to large, you will usually be offered a dessert along with the meal. Typically there is so much food for the meal that no one is ready for dessert right away. Ask your F&B staff to hold the dessert and bring it out a couple hours later in the afternoon. You save from having to order a separate afternoon snack and no one misses it at meal time.
 
3. Have the hors d'oeuvres hand-passed rather than buffet-style. Attendees are less likely to grab 15 of one item when someone is handing it to them. You won't run out of food as fast and can avoid having to order more. As an added bonus, the event will look more formal with hand passed hors d'oeuvres. The servers will cost you but overall will keep you in budget because additional food items will not need to be ordered.

These are just a few simple tips and tricks that definitely make a difference to your bottom line.  The great thing is that they are not noticeable to the attendee and sometimes they even make your meeting look better!
 
Visit our blog again soon for more “Tips & Tricks” to plan effective and professional meetings. Are you looking for help to plan your next meeting or event? To learn more about how AH can help contact us today!