HOTELS and other venues for events in Davao City for December are already 80 percent booked, an official of the Davao Event Suppliers Association (Desa) said Monday, December 4.
Desa president Elinor Marcelino said several events like weddings and Christmas and company parties are already booked in different hotels, convention centers, and clubhouses in the city.
“Although it’s not too late to book, but chances are they are going to put you as second priority because they also have other bookings for that day,” he said.
She added the ideal timeline to book events is six to 12 months earlier in order to get a good supplier at a good rate and to properly lay down monthly budgets especially if the event is as big as a wedding. Booking several months earlier can also help minimize conflict with event schedules, reception and church venues, and other unexpected --- .
Even if it is already December, there are still a number of companies who call Desa-accredited events organizers to book with timeline as limited as two weeks. Marcelino said they still accept these but oftentimes clients’ request may be toned down to a minimum due to limited time and limited suppliers who are ready to accept rush services.
“Usually, of course, there is a ‘rush fee’ especially for souvenir or plaque-making that are needed immediately. Sometimes these are needed for Noche Buena or New Year. No one would want to work on holidays. Usually the ‘rush fee’ is double the original price,” she said.
She said it is highly recommended for clients to approach Desa-accredited events organizers as it provides a network of suppliers for easier and faster referrals.
Marcelino said their organization wants to make sure that the events booked with them come with good quality.