12 steps to plan a basic event budget

Keeping an event budget will always help you stay organized and prepared for any client inquiry, and help you avoid going over budget.

For a basic event - let's take the example of a business seminar here - I really recommend using Excel (or any spreadsheet software will do), and list four categories along the top:

• Item
• Projected Expense
• Actual Expense
• Details

Then, you need to categorize and track the expense items as follows:

1. Track site rental costs. As you plan the event itself and as you meet with your venue sales manager, track all projected rental fees for the event and function space, housekeeping, baggage handling, and related expenses.
2. Estimate catering costs. This includes all food and beverage charges, including tips and gratuities -- which can account for up to 25%.
3. Document transportation charges. This includes shuttles, coaches, event transfers, and any related expenses.
4. Add decor expenses. Most events include expenses for decor, such as centerpieces, florals, tent rentals, etc. This is where you list those costs.
5. Document entertainment & equipment fees. Common expenses in this category include the A/V equipment, but it's also a good spot to list honorariums to speakers or if you are hiring entertainers.
6. Summarize printing charges. Several small item charges actually combine to make a larger expense line item. These include invitations, flyers, name badges, program booklets, event signage and banners.
7. Line item for gifts. One of my event rules is to never allow a guest to leave empty handed. So, whatever gift or gifts you provide, track the cost for them separately; you'd be amazed at how much these items can cost.
8. Identify activities expenses. If your event includes activities such as golfing, tennis, spa, rafting, biking, or other activities, you will want to note the cost of these fees separately. I suggest summarizing the total cost in your spreadsheet and attaching a breakdown.
9. Post other expenses. If an expense doesn't fall into any of the above categories, I tend to list them as a miscellaneous expense item here.
10. Give yourself a contingency fund category. Depending on the size or complexity of an event, you may want to give yourself as much as up to 20% of the event budget here. Despite the best planning, charges are going to exceed projected plans with expenses that you never consider. This will keep you from going over budget every time.
11. Summarize projected expenses. As you build your event program, you will have a good projection of the total expenses. This is the information that I will share with my event client to make sure they are aware of the event budget so that there aren't any surprises later on.
12. Summarize actual expenses. This happens after the event has concluded. I will subtotal the invoices into the above 10 categories and document the actual budget. If extremely favorable, I will identify savings in actual budget vs. the projected budget, demonstrating the value-add of my role.
    
    
    Good luck for all the budgeting. It is pretty long, but is the most important part of the financial planning. It is also a tricky part of the planning, so you might want the help of a professional for more precise previsions and lower costs.