Nonprofits lose money on events every single year — not because they’re careless, but because they’re unaware of the hidden costs built into venues, catering, bar service, contracts, and budgeting decisions.

This expert session is a practical, eye-opening session designed for nonprofit leaders, development teams, and anyone responsible for planning events. In this one-hour presentation, Leah Johnson, founder of The Event Firm, pulls back the curtain on where event dollars quietly disappear — and how to stop it from happening. Through real-world examples and insider insights, attendees will learn how to:

• identify venue and contract traps before signing
• make smarter catering and beverage decisions
• understand the true cost of “small” upgrades
• use budgeting as a decision-making tool, not just a spreadsheet
• protect their event investment while still creating a great guest experience

This session isn’t about cutting corners — it’s about spending intentionally, asking better questions, and setting your events up to support stronger fundraising outcomes year after year.

Attendees will leave with clarity, confidence, and a new lens for evaluating every event decision they make.