We’ve all heard of the Un-Cola. So allow me to introduce you to the Un-Fete. Here’s the challenge: A whole bunch of people have come to depend on All Inclusive Fetes to provide them with a living. A living if you are a promoter who is in business of parties. For others, like schools and staff clubs, it’s a means of raising funds.
But that cruel fiend called “the recession” has come along and pulled the plug on the party. The party isn’t quite done but there might be more chairs than guests in the fete.
So what is a promoter with a 23 year old daughter at University (with her own credit card) to do in the face of this season of inclement weather?
Un-Fete explained
Here are a few thoughts:
- Music is a key component of every party. Carnival Bands stopped having LIVE music ages ago, maybe it’s time to test the DJ only party or to reduce the LIVE music
- Cross over bands cost a lot less than the big brands and are not too shabby themselves. Maybe it’s their turn to rule the stage
- Could fete goers be invited to BYOB. (bring your own booze)
- Do we really need 35 food stations?
- What if you were given 8 drink and 4 food tokens on entry. Can your ego handle that?
- You see that $150,000 budget you used to have for decor. Guess what?
Change or die
Folks, here’s the balancing act that needs to take place. We want to give feters a great party, with good value for money and the promoters also want to make a profit to fund their School or their 23 year old daughter’s education. But people have less disposable income. The market for fete goers has shrunk. (Ministries, State Enterprises and Corporate T&T are no longer partying up a storm at taxpayers and shareholders expense)
So something has to give. Ticket prices have to be maintained (or reduced in some cases). Yet alcohol prices have increased and so have food.
The Un-Party will have to be less indulgent than it’s All Inclusive big shot cousin. But it can still have all the components of a great fete, without breaking the bank.
How are you going to make sure that yours is the Un that feters pick?
