As the MICE industry continues to face rising costs and contract complexities, mastering negotiation skills is essential for event planners. On September 24th, we hosted our How to Negotiate in an Age of Non-Negotiation webinar, featuring a panel of experts from across the sector, including hotel representatives, event planners, DMC professionals, and AV providers. Together, they explored the most pressing challenges—rising costs, inflexible terms, and attrition issues—while offering actionable strategies to help planners secure better deals and foster stronger partnerships.
Webinar recap:
Interested in viewing the full on-demand video of this webinar? Log in to GDP University, and find the full video, “How to Negotiate in an Age of Non-Negotiation”, on our Courses page.
Here are some key solutions discussed:
- Early transparency: Share contract details upfront to prevent surprises and streamline approvals.
- Customization: Work with hotels to create tailored F&B menus that fit your budget and goals.
- Leveraging partnerships: Use DMC expertise to negotiate better rates and creative solutions.
- Understand AV structures: Learn the three pillars of big-box AV (power and rigging, day-to-day services, and large-scale production) to negotiate smarter.
- Building relationships: Develop long-term vendor partnerships for better terms across multiple events.
- Engaging early: Lock in rates early to secure the best pricing and availability.
- Site inspections: Conduct pre-contract site visits with AV and DMC experts to align on expectations.
By using these solutions, planners can negotiate more effectively, streamline processes, and ensure better outcomes for their events. To access the full recorded webinar and additional materials, please visit GDP U.
Interested in viewing the full on-demand video of this webinar?
Log in to GDP University, and find the full video, “How to Negotiate in an Age of Non-Negotiation”, on our Courses page. If this is the first time you’re hearing about GDP University, the first step is registering (it’s free!) which will give you full access to on-demand videos, resources, and upcoming live webinars.