How much money are we able to spend on our event? Which resources and activities are most expensive? should we make a profit or break-even? How can we raise funds for our event?
Setting financial objectives
Identifying possible sources of income
The function of financial control takes place before, during and after the event. Beforehand, a budget will be needed so the organizers can judge whether the event is likely to be a success in financial terms, and afterwards as a guide to see whether the event could be judged successful against its financial objectives.
Objective: To cover all costs
If your event's financial objective is to break-even, you want to make sure that your expenditure does not exceed your estimated income. This would typically be an event where the main focus is on other values than money.
Objective: To earn money
If your event's financial objective is to earn money, you need to make sure that your income is greater than your expenditure. When aiming to make a profit, you need to be specific about how much profit you are aiming for, but also what the profit should be used for (e.g. personal gain, charity, organizational development, etc.)
Objective: To gain a contribution to the organization's bottom line
ROMI typically refers to corporate events such as meetings, seminars, incentives or promo events. The purpose of these types of events is not to make a profit from the event itself, but gain a contribution to the company's bottom line on the long run by e.g. educating personnel, promoting products to potential customers, etc.
Objective: Added revenue in the host area as an effect of the event
Culture events are typically focused on creating an added revenue, not to the organizer itself, but to the host area. The value created from the event would be measured through increased income from accommodation, retail and restaurants for example.
Most events make money on selling tickets for the event. This form of income can also be considered a form of crowdfunding. The ticket sales give the organizers an indication on the interest in the event. Sometimes, a slow ticket sale can force the organizers to cancel the event in order to cut their losses. Other typical sources of income for events are listed below.
A very common way for events to earn money is through rental of stalls. Typically, local businesses, organizations or unions will rent the stalls in order market themselves or sell their products. In these cases the stalls are usually a large part of the event itself, and also very dependent - not only on the income from stalls - but also the experience they provide for the guests.
One of the common misconceptions in the design of events is the view that an event will easily attract sponsorships. This will only happen if there is a good fit between the event and potential sponsors. Therefore, it is important to keep in minds what the event would do in return for a potential sponsorship. Public funding is another option to raise money for an event. For example, if the event has the potential to attract a large number of tourists, or have an arts impact for which arts trusts and foundations might consider grants.
Many events supplement their earnings from tickets with other revenue generating activites. Revenue can be generated through fx sale of food and beverages, merchandise, competitions with sponsored prizes, access to VIP areas, etc. Revenue generating activities vary a great deal depending on the purpose of the event.