In tough economic times, putting together an event can sometimes feel like a tax audit.  When there isn’t much money to work with I have two key suggestions: turn to quality over quantity and plan even earlier than usual to avoid rush fees and price step-ups at hotels.  Here are five extra affordable elements to make your event pop:

1. Unique flowers: Instead of full bouquets or floral centerpieces save money by using only one or two more elaborate blooms; perhaps feature them in tall bud vases with large tropical greens. Find and work with a floral wholesaler as opposed to a designer or small shop.  I work with Kennedy Flower here in Ottawa.
2. Better-than-great food: Again, keep-it-simple means paring down the number of items on a buffet line and compensating with great quality.  Our holiday party this year featured a very large Canadian smoked ham instead of many smaller appetizers.  Here are three of Ottawa’s more creative and kick-ass caterers: Dish, Todric’s, Thyme & Again.
3. USB key drives are getting smaller and cheaper; ordering fifty pre-loaded data sticks won’t cost as much as a Hollywood style iPod giveaway, but for conference speakers or volunteers it’s a memorable way to say thank you at the end of an event.  You can load it up with songs, classic political speeches, and PDF information from your event sponsors.
4. Modern wall decals: I’m a big fan of quick to put up and take down vinyl decals.  It’s a very quick way to brighten a dull room and add uniformity throughout an event space.  For evening events think about using the metallic version to reflect light.
5. Get a Gobo: The most undervalued element in event planning is lighting.  With the right lights and accessories an entire event space can be transformed; at the very least look into highlighting your event logo and sponsors on custom “gobos” (glass or steel cutouts for theatrical lights).