Which element would you cut from a meeting if you had to?
"I would cut our motivational speaker, which wouldn't be seen as a necessity. We would get some people from our executive team to do a skit and save $9,000."
Amy Groom
Trade Show and Event Planner
Craneware Inc.
Overland Park, Kan.
"I wouldn't cut an element, but there are ways to scale back on general session production -- perhaps by removing media, talent or creative elements -- while still making sure people can see and hear. For example, you can incorporate stock stage sets instead of custom-made ones, or simplify the creative elements. That's why planners often hire event production companies like ours -- because we know the gear and understand production."
Bethany Veerman
Project Coordinator
One Smooth Stone
Downers Grove, Ill.
"I would scale back on food and beverage. Go back to a continental breakfast, offer a more limited dinner menu. Just go back to the basics, where attendees can still have a healthy meal but at an affordable price."
Lori W. Hedrick, MHA, CMP
Vice President, Meeting and Event Planner
Wachovia Corp.
Winston-Salem, N.C.