Master Event Budget Planning in Evanston

event budget planning and management in Evanston, IL

Craft Your Vision with Expert Event Budget Planning and Management

Careful event budget planning and management is essential to ensure every detail of your occasion aligns with your financial goals. We specialize in creating customized budget solutions that maximize value without compromising on quality. Serving Evanston, IL, A La Carte Planners delivers expert oversight for expense tracking, vendor negotiations, and cost optimization. Our dedicated approach simplifies your financial planning while helping you avoid unexpected costs and stay on target. Let us handle the numbers so you can focus on the celebration. Contact us today to start planning a memorable event within your ideal budget.

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Partner with A La Carte Planners

Find out how cost-effective it is to partner with A La Carte Planners on your next event.  And best of all, you get to decide on an "a la carte" basis how much of your meeting arrangements you want us to handle.


We offer a full range of services to encompass all your planning needs without the high-cost overhead of a large meeting planning company!  Partnering with us will not only save you time, but money.  With A La Carte Planners in charge, there's no such thing as just another program... It's An Event!

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Meet Our Owner

Catherine M. Griffin

Catherine M. Griffin has over 37 years of professional experience in the meeting planning industry.  Her expertise is in negotiation, budget planning and creative theme program design.  She has developed exciting meetings and events for a vast array of Fortune 500 companies nationwide.


She has extensive experience in producing a wide-range of meetings for large corporate and association clients, exhibit tradeshows, corporate board meetings, medical education meetings, pharmaceutical meetings, CME meetings, training seminars and incentive travel programs. 

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The Mission at A La Carte Planners

A La Carte Planners' mission is simple: To offer our clients superior meeting and event planning services. 


We take great pride in providing our clients with the most responsive, professional, innovative, and cost-effective meeting and event planning services in the industry!

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Full-Service Event Planning

A La Carte Planners is your professional resource for experienced meeting and event planning staff for your next corporate meeting, incentive program, medical education forum or special event.


While our company may be small, our experience is not!  We've managed meetings and group events from 25 people to over 10,000 attendees throughout the United States, Caribbean, Mexico and Canada.


Our staff of professional meeting planning experts supports your company's efforts with innovative services, and onsite management.  Let our enthusiastic team of professionals transform your ideas and goals into a successful meeting or event.

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Overview of Our Events

From corporate events and dinners to theme parties and trade shows, we coordinate and plan for a vast variety of different types of events. To learn more, get in touch with us today!

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What Services Do We Provide?

  • Create innovative and cost-effective proposals for meetings and incentive travel programs as well as for corporate theme parties
  • Program development
  • Conduct client site inspection trips
  • Develop marketing program and materials to support incentive travel program theme
  • Site selection for meetings and incentive travel
  • Venue selection for off-site theme parties
  • Budget preparation and management
  • Contract negotiations with vendors (i.e., air, hotel, car, cruise)
  • Preparation of detailed meeting specifications
  • Food and beverage management
  • Audio visual set-up
  • Prepare air and hotel manifests
  • Coordinate ground transportation arrangements
  • Prepare pre-trip materials for travel programs
  • All pre- and post-show budget reconciliation for meetings and special events
  • On-site Meeting and Event Manager
  • On-site registration
  • Oversight of all meeting logistics
  • Dine-around coordination
  • Airport meet and greet
  • Coordination of conference registration
  • Trade show booth sales
  • Arrange corporate event sponsorships
  • Handle all food and beverage arrangements for corporate dinners, special events and theme parties, as well as on-site event management
  • Post event program evaluations
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Learn About Our Fees

How much do we charge? A La Carte Planners can structure a pricing plan that works within your budget. We charge similar fees to those of other professional consultants, and our fees can be on an hourly, daily or individual project basis. Our goal is to work within your budget, to create an event that achieves your goals, and for that event to result in a substantial return on your investment.

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Where Can I Get Professional Event Budget Planning And Management In Evanston?

Mastering event budget planning and management is essential for any successful celebration, and that’s exactly where we excel. Serving the Evanston, IL area, we take pride in offering tailored event budget planning and management services that keep your finances on track while delivering unforgettable experiences. Our team carefully balances creativity and practicality to ensure every dollar is wisely spent, making event budget planning and management stress-free and transparent. By partnering with us, you gain experts who prioritize clear communication and detailed oversight throughout your event journey. Let us handle your event budget planning and management so you can focus on enjoying every moment of your special occasion. Contact us today for professional event budget planning and management services tailored to your needs.


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Contact Us Today To Get Started

Make A La Carte Planners your first choice for professional meeting and event planning services!

Catherine M. Griffin President/Owner

Frequently Asked Questions
  • What services do you provide?

    A La Carte Planners serves as your expert source for seasoned meeting and event planning staff for your next corporate meeting, incentive program, medical education forum or special event.


    Though we are a compact team, our expertise is vast! We have successfully orchestrated meetings and group events ranging from 25 to over 10,000 participants across the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada.



    Our staff of professional meeting planning experts supports your company's efforts with innovative services and onsite management.  Let our enthusiastic team of professionals transform your ideas and goals into a successful meeting or event.


    • Create innovative and cost-effective proposals for meetings and incentive travel programs as well as for corporate theme parties
    • Program development
    • Conduct client site inspection trips
    • Develop marketing program and materials to support incentive travel program theme
    • Site selection for meetings and incentive travel
    • Venue selection for off-site theme parties
    • Budget preparation and management
    • Contract negotiations with vendors (i.e., air, hotel, car, cruise)
    • Preparation of detailed meeting specifications
    • Food and beverage management
    • Audio visual set-up
    • Prepare air and hotel manifests
    • Coordinate ground transportation arrangements
    • Prepare pre-trip materials for travel programs
    • All pre- and post-show budget reconciliation for meetings and special events
    • On-site Meeting and Event Manager
    • On-site registration
    • Oversight of all meeting logistics
    • Dine-around coordination
    • Airport meet and greet
    • Coordination of conference registration
    • Trade show booth sales
    • Arrange corporate event sponsorships
    • Manage all catering and drink setups for business dinners, unique events, and themed parties, including on-site event coordination.
    • Post event program evaluations
  • Do you offer price estimates for booked events?

    Estimates and pricing can be challenging when finding the ideal venue for your meeting. However, it doesn't have to be! Call us, and we'll give you the best estimate for your event and will get started planning right away!

  • How can I get in touch?

    We look forward to working with you here at A La Carte Planners! There are multiple ways to contact us. You can email us at catherinegriffin@alacarteplanners.com, call us at 312-806-8006, or use the convenient contact forms found on this website.

Exceptional Events, Expertly Executed: Your Premier Partner in Professional Meeting and Event Planning