Corporate Event Planning

Corporate event planning businesses design and manage events for companies including conferences, trade shows, corporate meetings, product launches, team building activities, holiday parties, and client appreciation events.

This B2B service serves companies seeking professional management of business events that support objectives like employee engagement, client relationships, brand building, or knowledge sharing.

Successful corporate planners often specialize by event type (conferences, trade shows, incentive travel), industry, or company size.

The business model charges project fees based on event scope and complexity ($3,000-50,000+ depending on event size and services), percentage of event budget (10-20%), or retainer relationships for ongoing event support.

Some also earn commissions from vendors.

Services include event strategy and objective setting, venue sourcing and contract negotiation, agenda development, speaker and entertainment booking, audio-visual and technology coordination, registration and attendee management, branding and design, catering coordination, and on-site event management.

Success requires understanding of business objectives and ROI from events, excellent project management juggling multiple moving parts, vendor relationships and negotiation skills, budget management often with significant numbers, technology proficiency with event management platforms, and professionalism serving corporate clients.

Most successful corporate planners come from corporate backgrounds, hospitality, or event coordination roles.

Projects involve strategy sessions with stakeholders, detailed planning and logistics coordination, managing registrations and communications, coordinating with venue and vendors, and on-site event execution.

Marketing targets event marketing managers, HR leaders for internal events, and executives through networking, demonstrating event management expertise, and showcasing successful events with metrics.

Corporate events happen year-round providing more consistent revenue than wedding planning.

The business offers strong margins and potential for larger-scale events.

Challenges include competing with in-house event teams and large event agencies, last-minute client changes, managing complex logistics, and ensuring flawless execution reflecting on client brand.

Some planners specialize in virtual or hybrid events, an area that expanded significantly.