How to interpret the math
Separate software price from operating cost.
The subscription line is only one part of a market’s cost. For a recurring program, the ongoing work around applications, documents, booth changes, fee review, closeout, and follow-up can matter more than a monthly price difference. This worksheet puts that existing work in view before a team compares plans.
The redirectable-hours assumption is intentionally yours to set. Treat it as a testable hypothesis, not a vendor claim. During a demo, identify the exact handoff that would change, the person responsible for it, and the proof you need after the first month.
Finally, use the vendor-event figure as a discussion aid, not a procurement shortcut. A market with weekly regulars, one-off holiday events, food vendors, crafts, complex fee rules, or multiple sites can have very different needs even at the same vendor count.