33 Cost-Cutting Tips from the Pros

Planners share solutions to combat rising costs on F&B, transportation, labor, and more.

View in browser Unsubscribe Tuesday October 28, 2025 News   Andrea Doyle Executive Editor White House Demolition of White House's East Wing Paves Way for Trump's New Ballroom The new ballroom being constructed at the White House has ignited widespread controversy over historical preservation, private funding, and the project's escalating costs amid a government shutdown. Budgeting & Cost Savings   Barbara Scofidio Editor Unsplash / Marc Babin 33 Cost-Cutting Tips from the Pros Planners are searching for solutions to combat rising costs on F&B, transportation, labor, and other aspects of their events.     Women Leaders in Meetings       Morgan Crain As head of global rewards & recognition at Rubrik and a long-time leader at the Incentive Research Foundation, Morgan Crain has learned that one of her strongest assets is her authenticity. Read Profile Technology   Miguel Neves Editor-in-Chief Skift Meetings Forum 2025 Blending AI With Human Insight for Strategic Gains AI is everywhere in events, but the smart move is human-led. Use AI to automate the admin, not the judgment — and stay well clear of the creepy line. Ground Transportation   Barbara Scofidio Editor Unsplash / Jesper Brouwers Planners Rethink Rideshares for Groups As attendees skew younger, companies are finding increasing value and time savings in grouping rideshares for attendees. But there are still some snags.     Backstage Briefing Webinar       Sustainability Insights from TED Event sustainability has evolved far beyond token eco-friendly gestures. Today, planners are expected to deliver measurable outcomes that reduce carbon footprints, minimize waste, and foster meaningful community impact. Join us at 11am ET on November 13 as we explore how TED has transformed sustainability into a core operational value, rethinking food systems, materials, travel, and community partnerships, while setting new industry benchmarks. Register Now Upcoming Industry Events | Oct–Nov 2025 Brought to you by FICP • FICP Annual Conference [November 2-5, Washington, D.C.] • ICCA Congress [November 9–12, Porto, Portugal] • Event Tech Live [November 12–13, London, UK] Full Calendar Popular Content News Scammer Targeting Event Planners Still on the Loose A scammer with a deep understanding of how event planners work is still at it, exploiting the fast-paced nature of the industry and the trust that small firms place in clients. With tens of thousands of dollars at stake, planners must remain vigilant.  - Andrea Doyle   Ideas & Inspiration 15 F&B Hacks Planners Can Use to Cut Costs We went straight to the source, our meeting planner audience, for ways to shrink your F&B budget. - Barbara Scofidio   News SHRM Tests the Limits of 'Viewpoint Diversity' A high-profile HR conference is testing the boundaries of "viewpoint diversity" by pairing an anti-DEI speaker with a progressive voice. The choice highlights how fine the line is between sparking conversation and fueling controversy. - Andrea Doyle Defining the future of events. Skift. 35 W 31st St., New York, NY, 10001, USA Follow Us: LinkedIn   |  X   |  Facebook   |  Instagram   |  YouTube You received this because you are subscribed to Newsletter | Skift Meetings Stand-Up from Skift. For Gmail users: If you are using the tabbed inbox, Skift emails may be pushed to the 'Promotions' tab. To get updates from Skift direct to your primary inbox, drag and drop this email to that tab.