As the industry recovers with live and face-to-face events on the upswing, how best can organizers plan a realistic budget that still meets clients,’ attendees’ and host organizations’ expectations?

We asked four experts how they see sponsorship challenges today, how they think the situation will evolve and what creative strategies they’ve employed to negotiate successful sponsorships in a pandemic.

How to make the most of the meeting budget…

Association meeting planners, recognizing the need to get the most bang for their buck, are expected to show budget restraint for all-out events that will generate maximum return on investment.

Cities where planners can leverage less obvious costs to meet their bottom line.

Successful programs can fund special projects and enhance membership benefits.

Negotiations take on greater significance for planners as a strong seller’s market drives up costs across the board.

For those who engage in contract negotiations by profession, it might seem that an association meeting planner’s job is a dream by comparison. But, not in today’s newly emerging marketplace.