With greens fees on the rise and meeting budgets stagnant, planners of golf events face a challenge: Put on the same top-notch tournament as always but for the same amount of money as last year (and the year before that). Moreover, the number of people signing up for golf tournaments is declining, thanks to tighter corporate purse strings. Frank Sablone, president, Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute

In a discriminating seller's market in which hoteliers are turning away business, SMERF (social, military, educational, religious, and fraternal) groups which are typically the most budget-conscious of all are finding that a little flexibility goes a long way toward getting rooms at the right price. We still try to focus on tier-one cities or cities that have special interest to our group, says Matthew

Finding good deals on hotel rooms and meeting space is more difficult in a seller's market, but it's not impossible. It starts with knowing the value of your business, says Bonnie Wallsh, chief strategist, Bonnie Wallsh Associates, Charlotte, N.C. In a seller's market, hotels can be more selective in what business they bring to the property, she says. They are no longer going to just reach out and

Looking for ways to save money on food and beverage? Here is a checklist that will be a great starting point. The Fundamentals Be very tight with your guarantees. Use your historical data; place conservative estimates; and track your delegates' patterns closely. Crunch the numbers. Compare the pricing options on a spreadsheet. Is it better to buy in bulk, by the dozen, or la carte? Deal with chefs

Clearly, finding hotel space at a reasonable cost in some downtown areas is a daunting task. We spoke with religious meeting planners, and the following are some strategies that they are employing. Apply Pressure Talk with the local hotel manager to discuss room availability and possible rate adjustments. If that's not getting anywhere, take up the issue with the hotel chain's national sales representative.