Some states allow gratuities to be taxed on banquet checks. That will make a major difference in your calculations, so find out what your facility does. Review past records to assess no-shows. If you have a new show, start building your history. Most importantly, review all costs up front, from carvers to bartenders to serving stations.
Printing can be outrageously expensive and is easy to overrun.
In some areas of the country, paper has seen an increase of about 12 percent in the last two years. Work closely with the printer. Tell him about any constraints and ask for cost-saving ideas, especially in paper stock. Ask about economical page layouts and if placement of color will affect pre-press costs. Printing rates also vary dramatically from city to city.