|
|
Negotiating a Special Event Contract
by Martin Cohn
You can no longer rely on a handshake to seal your agreement with a venue for your special event.
According to Exhibitor Magazine, the best way to negotiate a good hospitality deal is to sit down with a facility representative
and discuss your options. You should come prepared with the following information:
· Budget. Know the limit of what you can spend.
· Agenda. Know what you want from the facility.
· History. Know what happened at your last event.
· Dates. Flexibility can lower your costs.
A contract with a special event venue should minimally have the following nine components:
1. ADA requirements.
2. Cancellation clause. If you have to cancel, avoid a 100% liability.
Facilities should agree to pursue reselling space,
3. Attrition clause. Again you can't book all the sleeping rooms to which
you've agreed, insist that the hotel actively pursues reselling the space.
4. Mitigation clause. Methods for reducing losses on either side in the event of a dispute should be listed.
5. Dispute resolution mechanism. If the contract is broken or breached, look to resolve disputes without formal court
proceedings.
6. Liquor liability. Know the policy and ensure that the staff is trained.
7. Condition of premises. Make sure the facility will be in workable
conditions (i.e. not under renovation).
8. Legal fees. State that you will cover your legal fees but not those of the facility.
9. Hold harmless clause. If an accident happens and it's the venue's fault, you should not be held liable.
Regardless of the size of your event, proper negotiation and written contracts can save you money.
Martin Cohn is president of Cohn Public Relations, a Brattleboro, VT based full service public relations firm. Martin and his
30+ years of public relations experience can be reached by phone at
617-962-3136 or by e-mail at martin@cohnpr.com
|
© 2003 Cohn Public Relations
Privacy Policy |
Contact |
|
|
