From the desk of Mark Montini...

To: Meeting Planning Professionals
From: Mark Montini

Thank you for taking the time to review my site.

I wanted to write this section personally because I know what a headache some so-called expense policies can create. Not long ago I oversaw a department that managed programs and booked hundreds of speakers each year. I couldn’t believe some of the things people tried to expense. I caught everything from expensive bottles of wine to in-room movies. I even had one speaker try to expense a tan from a tanning salon (that’s no joke).

As a result of my experience, I have a straightforward expense policy. All expenses except room and tax will be covered in a flat fee that’s included with my proposal. This way you don’t have any surprises and I don’t have to make up a story about how that bottle of Dom Parignon was really an integral part of my presentation.

I don’t include room and tax in the flat fee because your “group” rate will be much, much lower than the individual rate I would pay. And there’s no reason for you to spend more than you have to. Along those lines, I don’t require first class transportation either. As one gentleman I sat next to on a recent flight said, “First class passengers are just air bags for the rest of us anyway.”

My expense policy is simple: You’ll get a flat fee up front that covers everything but lodging.

Please let us know if you have any questions or restrictions that require modifications to this policy. And thank you for considering me to speak at your meeting.

Sincerely,

Mark Montini