If you are looking for dating tips, I apologize for the misleading title. You won’t find answers on how to hold a fork, or how to make sure you hit lips and not nose on that first kiss. This blog is more along the lines of how a company can maximize revenue by picking the best dates for their programs.
When trying to find the host property, many companies are booking programs based around a potential property’s down time. The property may be offering better pricing based on booking holes in their calendar. That’s all fine and dandy, and who doesn’t want to save a buck, but are you really saving money?
From a production standpoint, holding a conference on off days can get pricey. Sundays and holidays can mean double time charges in union cities. Even if your event starts on Monday, Sunday set up can add to that bottom line. Different cities offer different union rules and have defined different holidays as “premium” holidays. For example, Columbus Day in Chicago is considered a premium holiday, but not in San Francisco. In addition, some unions charge double time on Sundays while some only charge time and a half. It’s as confusing as what to do after you walk your date to the door.
Another way companies try to save a buck is by not booking proper set up time. Again, with all the different rules in different cities, this can be a dangerous move. In most cities if technicians don’t have 8 or 9 hours between days, the next day will be billed at double time. In some cities, time and a half is charged for hours worked after 5pm. It’s key to secure a full set up day, and can be more cost effective.
This is just another benefit of getting your production company in early (see my previous blog, Get in Early). Your production partner should be making you aware of all of these different intricacies. If the property and dates are already booked by the time your production company is brought in, you could be in for a bit of a budget crisis.
At DBG, we take pride in giving our clients the heads up on dates and rules in different cities. Having contracts with unions throughout the country helps DBG keep track of all the different rules. In the end, it helps you in not getting stuck with the tab.
And when you have a partner that genuinely cares, it’s a match made in heaven.
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