FREE 10+ Small Conference Budget Samples in MS Word | MS Excel | Google Docs | Google Sheets | PDF

If you run a company that often holds conferences or meetings, then it is evident that during a business plan meeting, a small conference budget should be part of the agenda. Companies then work on an annual budget plan which analyzes the whole organization’s expenses, should take into account the expenses and cost to organize conferences. Although small conferences with a limited number of attendees aren’t too complex would still need careful planning and budgeting. Read more about this in our article below. And if you wish to get started with your budgeting plans, check out our free downloadable small conference budget samples made available on this page.

10+ Small Conference Budget Samples

1. Small Conference Budget Template

2. Small Conference Budget Proposal

3. Small Interpretation Conference Budget

4. Small Conference Finance Budget

5. Small Annual Conference Budget

6. Small Conference Budget Committee

7. Small Equity Conference Budget

8. Small Conference Presentation Budget

9. Small Conference Budget Policy

10. Small Conference Bill Budget

11. Sample Small Conference Budget

What Is a Small Conference Budget?

There are different types of conferences, often held in venues like hotels, banquet halls, or even in company-owned buildings. Conferences can be held on almost any topic, come in many sizes, and can be run by any number of organizations. But hosting one can be costly as any event should be, not to mention months of planning ahead. If you plan to hold a small conference with just a number of people then typically there’s the venue/location to consider, the attendees, and would there be any refreshments or should a full course meal be served. All these mentioned should go into a small conference budget. In some cases, profit can be generated in some conferences such as grants, contracts, and participant charges which in this case should also be included in the budgeting.

How To Create a Small Conference Budget?

Before you can fully arrange the budget for a small conference, you need to gather data or information from several vendors. This would mean comparing quotations and the quality of service they can provide to ensure the conference would go on as planned. Take note that no two conference budgets are identical, planners range from being conservative to creative with their spending. But it’s important you have a good understanding of key markers, like at what point your conference will be running at a loss, breaking even, or making a profit. So to help you with the small conference budget here are several tips below.

1. Comparison

Perhaps you have planned out several conferences that are to be held within the year, by doing so this it is best to check on last year’s budget for comparison. This will help you check on the trends, and identify what needs to be retained or changed.

2. Usual Program Cost

Regardless of what type of conference, whether big or small the following below are the usual costs that are always part of every conference budget.

• Venue/Location – now there is no fixed rate for a venue, unless if you have decided to host the conference in the same place then these can be considered as a fixed cost. But rates can change without prior notice so with your budget it’s best to indicate rough estimates.
• Food Service – in some cases the venue such as hotels, in particular, would offer refreshments or food as part of their proposals. But if this is not the case, then it is important to include the expenses for food catering services. You need to also check how long the conference would last, if this is a one-day event or a multi-day affair.
• Speakers – if the speaker is from the company or is from an internal resource then the only thing to worry about is the allowances or overtime fees. But then outsourcing speakers can come with a price depending on the services provided.
• Attendees – part of the budgeting plan is the number of attendees as this will affect the food or refreshments to be served and the venue as well.
• Decorations – these are balloons, flower arrangements, centerpieces, and even red carpets that add visual appeal.

3. Additional Expenses

Although this may not happen in all cases and again the nature of the conference will still matter on these expenses.

• Manpower – if you need additional help when hosting a conference, such as perhaps transporting equipment from one place to another, waiters, receptionists, and other things.
• Travel Expenses – these are perhaps for additional staff, VIPs, keynote speakers, and presenters are a big part of your conference budget. You will need to think about the transportation, accommodations, and meals.
• Advertisements – if you are running a conference in hopes of attracting paid participants then you need to invest in advertising your event.
• Materials and Rentals – these are banners, standees, giveaways and etc. needed for the event as well as the equipment rental.
• Entertainment – some conferences may have a bit of entertainment between breaks, so you might as well consider putting this on your budget.

4. Profit

If your conference aims to produce profit, then you might as well create a column that would determine how much you aim to gain from the conference. These could be through participation sales, registration fees, or grants.

5. Monitor Your Budget

Budgeting needs regular monitoring to make sure that you are right on track financially and to avoid overspending on unnecessary expenditures.

FAQs

Either way, budgeting is an important part of any conference planning whether you decide to host a big or small affair. It helps evenly distribute conference funds without the risk of overspending or deficit.