Bash Creative Inc’s Post

We’ve all been there—going into a budget approval meeting, fingers crossed that every line item will hold up, only to face unexpected questions or pushback. It’s a situation no one wants, but it’s all too common when the initial budget hasn’t been thoroughly vetted. Imagine the confidence you’d feel knowing your budget is not just a rough estimate, but a carefully considered plan that is vetted and verified by an industry expert and YOUR partner. No scrambling, no stress—just a clear path forward, armed with all of the information and data to hold up your budget requests against event the most scrutinizing approvals. It’s about working smarter, not harder—because the last thing you need is to be caught off guard by hidden costs after the budget has been approved. We’ve spent decades helping clients navigate the complexities of event planning, pricing trends, forgotten expenses, and strategic buffers. With our hands-on experience across many industries, global markets, and types of events, it would be a major understatement to say “we know a thing or two” about what makes a budget realistic. We’ve created a space where you can refine your budget with expert guidance, ensuring that every dollar is maximized and every possibility is accounted for. Ready to feel confident in your numbers? Let’s chat about how to make that happen.

If you work in events, October is always crunch time. It's when the largest conferences happen, usually predicting what a company's pipeline and budgets are going to look like for the following year, and when you are most exhausted from the pure rush of adrenaline of the season. It's really easy to check out or move on to the next as soon as you have wrapped your busiest event season of the year. But what you don't realize is this lost time is some of the most valuable you have all year. We’ve seen how a thoughtful approach during these final months can transform the success of future events. It’s not just about the execution on the day of the event; it’s about the journey leading up to the event, how you adjust while executing the event, AND what you learn in reflection immediately after the event. From the initial spark of an idea to the final post-event debrief, each step in the lifecycle plays a crucial role in creating memorable experiences. In our latest blog, "The Lifecycle of an Event: From Vision to Execution," we delve into the stages that define a successful event. It’s a reflection on the process—a reminder that every detail, from conceptualization to post-analysis, contributes to the bigger picture. As you navigate through this October, consider how these insights can help you fine-tune your strategies for your upcoming Q1 events. It’s not about rushing to the finish line; it’s about setting the stage to accomplish your long-term goals. Take a moment to explore our expert insights on the event lifecycle and see how you can apply these principles to your upcoming events here.📍 https://lnkd.in/diaJEWaN

Navigating the complex landscape of event planning can be a daunting task, especially when faced with the challenge of keeping costs down while ensuring a high-quality experience. You’re likely grappling with rising vendor prices, tighter budgets, and the pressure to deliver standout events that exceed expectations. Sound about right? What if you could find a way to manage these challenges more effectively? By asking the right questions and making strategic decisions, it’s possible to achieve significant savings without compromising on quality. We want to fill you in on a few key questions we raise when it comes down to maximizing your event budget. Pro Questions For Cost Savings: - We love this product but it is over budget, is there something similar in your catalog that could meet our needs? - Can we streamline the labor part of the quote, perhaps by altering the delivery timeframe in a way that is most advantageous? - Is there a paired-back version of this quote that aligns better with our budget? - What inclusions can be added to create even more value? - Are we evaluating all vendor options, or are we simply accepting the first bid? These strategies not only help in managing costs but also ensure that every dollar spent brings real value to your event. At Bash, we have mastered the art of negotiating savings. During a hybrid developers conference we executed for Roblox, we saved our client 33% of their total event budget—which was 156% of our service costs. Want to see how we did it? Dive into the full case study here.📍https://lnkd.in/gpUu_GMQ

If you have ever planned a complicated or multi-day event, you know, it takes a village to execute successfully. One way to ensure you have the right team by your side, with expertise in the nuances of event design and logistics, is to bring in a 3rd party event planning agency as your partner at the beginning of your planning phase. It’s not just about finding someone who can say “yes” —it’s about ensuring transparency, efficiency, and alignment with your values and budget to then execute your vision. Truly separating your options into order-takers vs. visionary partners. However, when you begin to connect with the agencies who can “partner” with you, you will be met with several different business and pricing models. So how do you compare them apples to apples? The simple answer is, you can’t. To be a savvy buyer you need to understand how each pricing model works and what you are really paying for. At Bash, we are committed to enabling you to make informed decisions, so we’ve put together a pro and con look at each model: 1. Flat Fee or Package Pro: Predictability, clients know exactly what they will pay upfront, making it easier to budget. Con: Limited flexibility may lead to additional fees for unexpected changes. 2. Hourly Pricing Pro: Transparency allows you to see where every dollar is spent. Con: Costs can quickly escalate, making it hard to budget accurately. 3. Mark-Up Pricing Pro: Often appears as the most affordable option upfront. Con: Lack of clarity on actual costs due to hidden mark-ups and limited to no access to vendor invoices. 4. Commission-Based Pro: Transparent and scalable, with clear cost breakdowns. Con: Optically more expensive, making it a tougher sell internally. Curious to dive deeper into each model and find out which one might be the best fit for your next event? Check out our latest blog for our full insights. 📍https://lnkd.in/gHeWmxpa

The Most Overlooked Budget Items: Insights from Our Team When planning an event, it’s easy to focus on the big-ticket items—venue, catering, entertainment. But what about the details that often slip through the cracks? Overlooking seemingly minor items can have a significant impact on your overall budget, leading to unexpected costs down the line. We asked our team, “What cost do clients tend to overlook or underfund the most during the budgeting phase?” Here’s what they highlighted as essential considerations for your 2025 event budget: 🥗 Crew Meals: Your vendor teams work hard behind the scenes—don’t forget to feed them! Budgeting space and food costs for crew meals is crucial to keeping everyone fueled and focused. Also, most catering companies offer crew meals at a lower price point than the menu you select for your guests. 👩💻Event Planning Services: The magic doesn’t happen on its own. Allocating funds for expert planning services ensures every detail is covered, from concept to execution. While you will be very involved in the planning phase, having your planning team takeover on-site will free you up to focus your attention onto your stakeholders and partners vs being in the weeds with logistics which is invaluable. 🎨Graphic Design Services: Not every team has an in-house design wizard, or their in-house wizard is already overwhelmed with the day-to-day graphic design needs of the company. Whether it’s for promotional materials, on-site visuals, or digital assets, professional design services can be imperative to making your event visually compelling and are easy to contract at very affordable rates. 🏙️Offsite Venue: Considering an offsite dinner or activity? These experiences can elevate your event, but they also require careful budgeting to ensure they don’t balloon out of control. When planning, make sure to factor in transportation, venue costs, weather contingencies, and additional staff to get there to receive the attendees and avoid costly surprises. By addressing these often-overlooked items, you’ll ensure your budget is comprehensive, realistic, and accurate while also avoiding last-minute scrambles after the approval process. Ready to fine-tune your 2025 event budget or have no idea where to begin? We’d love to hear from you.

Something new (and undoubtedly exciting) is coming soon from our dear friends, Figma 🥳👏