1. Why outsource my meeting/event?
Outsourcing to a professional meeting and event management company can free your time (and your staff’s) to focus on your core competencies. For many of SAGE’s clients, this means they can focus on program development or sales while SAGE handles logistics. Outsourcing a specialty service is also similar to outsourcing accounting or legal support – you may not have enough work in-house to justify a full-time position or you may want the talent and expertise of an outsider who specializes in an area that is not your core competency. SAGE stays current on industry education and trends. We offer the value-added experience that comes from working with multiple clients on a variety of events similar to yours. Last but not least, our relationships in the industry give you added buying power at the negotiating table.

2. We offer several small local meeting and we are not sure we are ready for full-service meeting and event support, but we could use the buying power of SAGE – and the advice on site selection and contract negotiation. Should we wait until we have larger meetings?
SAGE was founded to offer Strategic Advice for Growing Events. No client need is too small. We happily customize our services to your objectives. We are known for expert negotiation, and we often provide site selection and contract negotiation for events – even if we will not be needed on-site. We offer event planning services to companies who want an intimate, flawlessly executed dinner for 10 as easily as we support associations hosting a four day conference and tradeshow for one thousand. We view our job as providing the resources to help you grow. When you need us, we will be there.

3. How is SAGE different from other meeting and event management companies?
An important part of SAGE Event Management’s “expectations plus” approach is our ability to serve as an extension of your team, negotiating the best possible rates and terms for your event. SAGE works from a fixed fee. Regardless of the time we spend to ensure your event is an unqualified success you pay no more in time and materials. SAGE takes no commissions, incentives, mark-ups, or over-rides on negotiated hotel and vendor contracts. We work for you, which ensures no conflict of interest with any other vendor.

4. Does it make more sense for me to use a planner based in my city?SAGE has clients all over the country. We work with hotels and facilities from Washington, D.C. to Washington state. We make it our business to develop relationships in core meeting markets – and to develop a strong relationship with your staff. As a trusted partner, we are devoted to becoming a seamless extension of your team, as easily available via teleconference, email, and phone as if we were right down the hall.

5. We have support staff who help plan meetings for our business – if I outsource the business to SAGE will I lose control over the job or risk alienating the staff currently offering meetings support?
Many of SAGE’s clients rely on in-house staff to work with the SAGE team. With SAGE overseeing the details, we often free their time and increase their control over the event. With more resources at their disposal, they are able to focus on streamlining schedules, activities, and in-house planning and execution. SAGE works with your staff to develop a mutually agreeable production schedule and timeline. We schedule regular teleconferences to ensure our teams are in sync.

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