NBBS · National Barbers & Beauty Symposium · Atlanta, GA · March 20–22, 2027
Budget Scenarios,
Phase 1 Deliverables &
Alchemy 11 Fee Structure
This document is prepared for you, Sam, to give a clear picture of what producing NBBS at the level you are envisioning actually requires — financially, operationally, and strategically. It walks through three realistic budget scenarios based on where sponsorship lands, all the line items inside each one, and exactly how Alchemy 11 is structured to work alongside you from Phase 1 through event close.
Context
How the benchmarks inform the numbers
None of these figures are pulled from thin air. They are grounded in what comparable events at this level of production have required. Each benchmark we studied contributes a specific reference point that justifies a line item or revenue assumption in your plan.
CT Barber Expo
15 years · 8–10K attendees · Mohegan Sun
Sets the production standard for a 3-day professional barber and beauty event — venue scale, floor size, staffing needs, and what a credible exhibitor floor costs to run.
Their 300+ exhibitor floor is the ceiling you are building toward. 100 curated vendors in Year 1 is the right starting point on that arc.
Beauty Independent Events
Conference-style · Curated floor · NYC + London
Sets the quality bar for conference-style programming — speaker fees, AV requirements, session structure, and the elevated production that makes professionals feel their time and money are respected.
Their curated floor model confirms that booth pricing above commodity rates is defensible when the curation standard is clearly communicated — exactly what you are doing.
AfroTech
40,000+ attendees · 168 corporate partners
Proves that a tiered ticket model — General + VIP — meaningfully increases revenue per attendee without raising your floor price. Built directly into your ticket revenue model.
Their corporate partner roster confirms that out-of-category sponsors are a proven revenue stream for a professional event built for people of color — not a long shot.
Staffing consideration
Additional roles to keep in mind
The budget scenarios below reflect Alchemy 11's management fee and core event operations staffing. The roles below are not included in any of the budget line items — they are considerations we recommend you think through, and we are happy to discuss how and when to bring them in.
⬡ These roles are not in the budget below — but at the level you want to produce, they matter.
Depending on what relationships you already have in place, some of these may cost nothing or very little. Others will need to be scoped and budgeted separately.
Publicist
Pre-event media outreach, press credentialing, coverage coordination, post-event recap placement.
Est. $3,000–$8,000 · project fee or short retainer
On-site Event Manager
Dedicated logistics lead on the ground — separate from Alchemy 11. Handles registration flow, vendor coordination, and schedule adherence during the event.
Est. $1,200–$2,400 · day-rate contractor
Event Environment Designer
Floor layout, cohesive signage system, booth design guidelines, stage backdrop, sponsor placement visuals. Sam handles brand graphics — this role handles the event environment itself.
Est. $3,000–$8,000 · project fee
These roles are not included in any scenario budget below. If you would like to work them into the plan — which we recommend at the level you are building toward — let us know and we will fold them in with updated figures. The floor will only look as elevated as the people designing and managing it.
Venue
The venue decision comes first.
Sponsors need to know where the event is before they commit money. That means the venue gets locked before the sponsorship deck goes out — not after. This section gives you a clear picture of what each option means for your budget and your sponsorship credibility so you can make that call with confidence.
thenbbs.com appears unavailable but is most likely parked — registered but not actively in use. We recommend a direct WHOIS lookup and purchase outreach first. If it cannot be acquired, we will identify two to three strong alternatives before anything goes live. A dedicated email address (e.g. [email protected]) will be established alongside the domain and used as the primary address for all outreach and automated sequences.
Strong sponsorship play
GICC
Georgia International Convention Center · College Park · ~10 min from Hartsfield-Jackson · direct hotel connectivity · MARTA accessible
✓ Airport proximity · walkable hotels · transit · sponsor-credible address
✗ Higher rental cost · requires a well-funded budget to justify
Balanced sponsorship play
Signia by Hilton Atlanta
Downtown Atlanta · connected hotel property · walkable to restaurants and transit · premium address
✓ Hotel on site · sponsor-credible · centrally located · walkable
✗ Hotel-connected (noted) · downtown parking costs · higher F&B minimums
Cost-controlled budget
Clayton County Convocation Center
Jonesboro, GA · ~15 min from airport · Southlake Mall adjacent · limited nearby hotels · county-owned
✓ Lower rental cost · 2,000+ capacity · county relationship potential
✗ Limited hotels nearby · accessibility friction for traveling attendees and sponsors
⚠ On the Convocation Center — please read before deciding
Sam, we know this is your preferred venue and we respect that. What we want to make sure is clear is this: the venue you choose directly affects the size and quality of sponsorship you can attract.
The Clayton County Convocation Center has real advantages — the capacity is there, the cost is lower, and your county relationship is a genuine asset. But it is a cost-control decision, not a sponsorship-optimized one. The limited hotel supply nearby creates friction for traveling attendees, vendor teams, and sponsor activations.
If the overall budget strategy stays lean and cost-controlled, the Convocation Center is a viable and smart choice. If the ambition is a bigger sponsorship play, GICC or Signia will open doors the Convocation Center will not. That decision is yours — we just want you making it with full visibility.
Sponsorship scenarios
Three paths. Same event. Different sponsorship outcomes.
Once the venue is locked and the deck goes out, these three scenarios give you a financial planning framework based on where sponsorship lands. The additional staffing roles noted above are not included in any of the figures below.
Sponsorship Scenario A · Strong
$75,000+ landed · Presenting + 2 Premier sponsors closed · 2,000 ticket target
Venue: GICC
This is the full version of your vision. Sponsorship lands at or above $75K, which unlocks GICC, 2,000 tickets across GA and VIP tiers, a fully produced awards night, a branded Tech + Tools track, and a floor that operates exactly at the level you have described. Your $100 GA price holds. Net position is healthy enough to begin Year 2 planning the moment the event closes.
Revenue
| Source | Amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorships | $75,000 | Presenting ($25K) + 2 Premier ($10K ea) + Industry and Community tier mix |
| General admission1,700 tickets × $100 | $170,000 | 2,000 total ticket goal. 1,700 GA + 300 VIP. |
| VIP tickets300 tickets × $175 | $52,500 | Awards night + Tech track priority + pre-event reception. |
| Vendor booths100 booths × $400 avg | $40,000 | Curated floor. Installment model to lock in early. |
| Awards Night add-on~150 GA add-ons × $80 | $12,000 | GA attendees who want awards access without full VIP |
| Total revenue | $349,500 |
Expenses
| Line item | Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Venue rental — GICC3-day, main hall + breakout + pre-function | $55K–$68K | Pending actual RFP quote. |
| Exhibit services — GSCPipe, drape, furniture × 100 booths | $28K–$38K | ~$280–380 per booth base package. |
| AV + productionStage, lighting, sound, screens | $38K–$52K | Main stage, 2 breakout AV setups, LED walls. |
| Print + signage | $9K–$13K | Step-and-repeat, badges, programs, sponsor placements. |
| Paid advertising + digital | $12K–$16K | SE professional audience targeting. |
| GHL + tech toolsCarried by Alchemy 11 · $100/mo | $1,000 | Sam's data transfers to him at engagement end. |
| Speakers + educators | $14K–$20K | 2–3 paid keynotes + travel. Regional educators on travel reimbursement only. |
| General event staffing | $22K–$30K | Does not include Alchemy 11 fee or consideration roles above. |
| Insurance | $4K–$6K | General liability + liquor liability. Pending broker quote. |
| Permits + compliance | $1.2K–$2.5K | Special event permit, fire marshal, occupancy sign-off. |
| Talent + entertainment | $6K–$12K | Awards night host, MC. Offset via sponsorship possible. |
| Alchemy 11 — management feePhases 2–3 · months 2–10 | $28,000 | Phase 1 ($2,500) invoiced separately at start. |
| Contingency~10% · expense side only | $18K–$26K | Production overruns, vendor no-shows, add-ons. |
| Total expenses (midpoint) | ~$259,000 |
Healthy. Begin Year 2 planning.
Sponsorship Scenario B · Moderate
$30,000–$50,000 landed · 2–3 Industry sponsors · 1,500 ticket target
Venue: GICC or Signia
Sponsorship lands between $30K–$50K. The event is fully viable — production adjusts but the experience does not feel compromised. Awards night folds into the VIP package. Speaker budget trims to one paid keynote. Ticket target adjusts to 1,500. Your $100 floor price holds. Most realistic scenario for a relaunch year.
Revenue
| Source | Amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorships | $40,000 | Midpoint. 2–3 Industry sponsors ($5K ea) + Community and educational tier mix. |
| General admission1,250 tickets × $100 | $125,000 | 1,500 total target. 1,250 GA + 250 VIP. |
| VIP tickets250 tickets × $165 | $41,250 | Awards folded into VIP. |
| Vendor booths100 booths × $350 avg | $35,000 | Same count. Slight reduction to move booths faster. |
| Total revenue | $241,250 |
Expenses
| Line item | Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Venue rental — GICC or Signia | $45K–$58K | Negotiated 3-day rental. Fewer add-on spaces. |
| Exhibit services — GSC100 booths | $22K–$30K | Slightly reduced furniture package per booth. |
| AV + production | $26K–$36K | Main stage + 1 breakout AV. Standard projection. |
| Print + signage | $6.5K–$9.5K | Core venue signage, registration, sponsor placements. |
| Paid advertising + digital | $8K–$11K | Tighter paid social. Lean on influencer and organic reach. |
| GHL + tech toolsCarried by Alchemy 11 · $100/mo | $1,000 | Same as Scenario A. |
| Speakers + educators | $8K–$12K | 1 paid keynote + regional educators on travel only. |
| General event staffing | $17K–$23K | Leaner team. Shared roles where possible. |
| Insurance | $3K–$4.5K | Same required coverage. |
| Permits + compliance | $1K–$2K | Same categories. |
| Talent + entertainment | $2.5K–$4.5K | MC only. No separate entertainment budget. |
| Alchemy 11 — management fee | $26,000 | Slightly compressed to reflect moderate revenue. |
| Contingency~10% | $12K–$17K | Applied to expense side only. |
| Total expenses (midpoint) | ~$202,000 |
Viable. Strong Year 2 proof of concept.
Sponsorship Scenario C · Light
Under $20,000 landed · Community-level sponsors only · 750 ticket target
Venue: Clayton County CC
Sponsorship lands under $20K. Every variable adjusts to protect the bottom line. This is the scenario where the Clayton County Convocation Center makes the most financial sense. Please weigh the venue advisory above carefully before committing. Ticket price must flex to $125–$150. If pacing signals Scenario C by month four, adjustments begin immediately.
Revenue
| Source | Amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorships | $15,000 | Midpoint. Community and educational sponsorships only. |
| General admission650 tickets × $125 | $81,250 | Reduced target. Price flexes to compensate for sponsorship gap. |
| VIP tickets100 tickets × $150 | $15,000 | Single VIP tier. Awards folded into general programming. |
| Vendor booths75 booths × $300 avg | $22,500 | Reduced count and average. Still curated — smaller floor. |
| Total revenue | $133,750 |
Expenses
| Line item | Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Venue rental — Clayton County CC | $25K–$35K | Lowest cost option. County relationship may reduce further. |
| Exhibit services — GSC75 booths | $15K–$20K | Minimal furniture. Essential pipe and drape only. |
| AV + production | $15K–$22K | Main stage only. Standard projection. No LED. |
| Print + signage | $4K–$6K | Core venue signage and registration only. |
| Paid advertising + digital | $4K–$6K | Lean on organic, influencer, and GBN network reach. |
| GHL + tech toolsCarried by Alchemy 11 · $100/mo | $1,000 | Same as Scenario A. |
| Speakers + educators | $3K–$5K | Regional educators only. Educational sponsors cover their own. |
| General event staffing | $10K–$15K | Minimum viable team. Your network absorbs some roles. |
| Insurance | $2.5K–$3.5K | Same required coverage. Lower scale means lower premium. |
| Permits + compliance | $800–$1.5K | Clayton County requirements. |
| Talent + entertainment | $0–$1,500 | Community or volunteer MC only. |
| Alchemy 11 — management fee | $21,500 | Base retainer only. Commission carries performance upside. |
| Contingency~8–10% | $7K–$10K | Applied to expense side only. |
| Total expenses (midpoint) | ~$125,000 |
Tight. Survivable with discipline.
Scope of work
Phase 1 Deliverables
30 days · June 2026 deadline · Alchemy 11 — Monique Bryant + Ayesha Holiday
01
Sponsorship Deck
The primary pitch document that goes to sponsors in June. Leads with the vision and the industry opportunity — your background and the Georgia Barbers Network give it authority, but the movement and the market gap are what open the door.
02
Venue Scenario Analysis
A structured comparison of all three venue options giving you a data-grounded basis for your decision before any deposit is made.
03
Budget Waterfall Model
This document is the framework. Phase 1 delivers it as a working model you can reference and update as sponsorship pacing becomes clearer.
04
Waitlist Landing Page + GHL Setup
The first public-facing asset for NBBS. Live before the June marketing push. Captures a segmented audience from day one.
Additionally — Alchemy 11 as vendor
We would like to take a booth too.
As organizers of NBBS, Monique and Ayesha will be on the floor working the event. We are also proposing to activate a vendor booth for Alchemy 11's Creative Accelerator — our consulting service that helps business owners bring a concept to life with a fast turnaround of one hour to 72 hours.
We want to name this upfront, Sam — not because it is a conflict, but because doing so is the professional move. As organizers, we should not be placed randomly. A high-traffic location near the education entrance or Tech + Tools area makes the most sense. Booth cost and terms are a separate, fair conversation.
Compensation
Alchemy 11 Fee Structure
Monique Bryant + Ayesha Holiday · 10-month engagement · Phase 1 through event close, March 2027
The baseline grows as the workload grows. The performance bonus only triggers after you have clearly exceeded your own net goal.
$2,500
Flat fee covering both Monique and Ayesha. Four defined deliverables. Invoiced at engagement start.
$2,500/mo
$10,000 total. Sponsorship outreach, vendor recruitment, landing page management, weekly reporting.
$3,500/mo
$17,500 total. Full event management, on-site production support, post-event reporting and reconciliation.
Performance Bonus — paid within 30 days of event close
Sponsorship Scenario A
$90,500
Net exceeds $90,500 by 20%+ (threshold: ~$108,600)
15% of every dollar above $108,600
|
Cap
$10,000 |
Max total comp
$40,000 |
Sponsorship Scenario B
$39,250
Net exceeds $39,250 by 25%+ (threshold: ~$49,000)
12% of every dollar above $49,000
|
Cap
$5,000 |
Max total comp
$35,000 |
Sponsorship Scenario C
Breakeven
Net is positive above $8,750 (any positive net qualifies)
10% of total positive net
|
Cap
$2,000 |
Max total comp
$32,000 |
The bonus is designed so you always come out clearly ahead before Alchemy 11 sees additional compensation. The 20–25% threshold above your net goal gives you real breathing room. The percentage applies only to the overage above the threshold — not the full net — so the math is always in your favor first. The cap ensures there is never an open-ended obligation. All calculations are based on verified post-event financials agreed upon by both parties before the engagement begins.
Monique Bryant · Ayesha Holiday
Transformative Design Starts Here