YOUR BETTER IDEAS: Saving on F&B

Have pitchers of water instead of bottled water, Many hotels charge $3 or more for bottled water.
Caprice Caster, CMP, National Cable Vision Cooperative, Lenaxa, Kan.

Order continental breakfasts and refreshment breaks a la carte instead of per person.
Deborah K. Gaffney, director, conference planning, Tax Executives Institute, Washington, D.C.

Try to use an outdoor terrace or venue to minimize decor needs. Transforming a ballroom or meeting room can be very expensive and never as attractive or as effective.
Rachel Porter, president, The Porter Event, Chapel Hill, N.C.

Replate muffins and fruit from breakfast and offer them as a snack at the midmorning break.
Christi Lamagna, CMM, CMP, Strategic Meetings and Events, New York

Using public facilities — libraries, parks, botanical gardens, museums, etc. — can be very cost-effective because you can sometimes use your own caterer and vendors. Plus these types of venues offer a nice twist to the meeting experience.
Sandy Biback, CMP, CMM, Imagination +Meeting Planners Inc., Toronto, Ontario