Planning a corporate event can be stressful, and finding the perfect venue is a big part of the equation.
Choosing the right venue sets the tone for your entire event and can help create a positive experience for your attendees.
Thankfully, venue-sourcing platforms are here to help. These tools make it easy to search, compare, and book the best spots for your event, saving you time and hassle.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the top venue-sourcing platforms that can help you find the perfect place for your next corporate gathering.
1. Cvent
One of the top venue-sourcing platforms out there, Cvent, makes it easy to find your next venue—and its standard plan is free!
You can browse over 300,000 hotels and venues worldwide using the Cvent Supplier Network. With helpful filters, you can narrow down your options, send a single RFP to multiple venues, and pull detailed reports to manage all your venue data.
Their centralized supplier network simplifies the process, connecting you with venues and vendors globally. Whether you’re planning a simple meeting or a large conference, Cvent lets you book events instantly with trusted vendors. You’ll find details like average daily rates, F&B minimums, total guest rooms, and more, along with tools to run reports and manage representatives directly on the platform.
If you need more advanced features and automation, upgrading to their enterprise plan can streamline your entire sourcing process even more.
2. Kapow
With Kapow, you can easily find, book, and manage small corporate events. Their online venue sourcing and booking tool lets you browse thousands of curated events. Just enter your group size, date, estimated start time, and city to start your search. From there, Kapow's dedicated event specialists handle the rest.
Here's how it works:
- Browse their qualified network of suppliers and provide basic details about your event.
- Kapow checks availability and finalizes pricing.
- Their event specialists take care of contracting, payment, and logistics.
Kapow is a great pick for companies hosting smaller corporate events and wanting to outsource all the site search logistics.
3. Momentus
Momentus is a venue and event management software that has been empowering over 1 million events each year for more than 35 years.
With Momentus, you can save up to 80% of your time when booking events, allowing your team to accomplish more in less time.
Its user-friendly interface lets you easily book spaces, automate event planning workflows at your venue, and pull insightful analytics on venue occupancy and event bookings. The platform offers access to thousands of venues worldwide, catering to events of any size.
4. Book a Space
Book a Space is a venue-sourcing platform specifically designed for smaller corporate events and meetings. It's made to connect property owners with people looking for workspaces, offices, conference rooms, or other alternative workspaces.
Using their platform, you can easily search for spaces that fit your needs by entering your location, date, meeting time, number of guests, and the type of space you’re looking for. The site pulls up options from over 1,000 venues worldwide.
This platform is ideal for smaller corporate events and meetings, providing a straightforward way to find the perfect space.
5. Meeting Package
Meeting Package is a software company with a mission to make booking group events, meeting rooms, and event spaces accessible to everyone.
They streamline the booking process for meeting planners and event venues, making it faster and more efficient. By integrating with venues' existing Property Management, Sales & Catering, and back-office systems, they deliver solutions to all customer-facing channels.
To get started, just enter the date, time, meeting length, number of people, and your budget. Meeting Package will then pull up hundreds of venues that match your criteria, sorting them by nearest, cheapest, largest, and smallest, with an easy-to-read map.
Their products include Venue & Sales Management Software, an online Booking Engine, and a Meetings & Events specific Channel Manager.
6. TeamOut
Looking to plan your next corporate retreat? TeamOut is an awesome resource for booking the perfect retreat venue for your next corporate gathering. TeamOut was created to make team gatherings easy, especially during COVID-19 when everyone was stuck at home.
With their platform, you can search for retreat spots by location (like Asia, North America, Europe, etc.) and style (think jungle, desert, mountain, etc.).
Once you’ve picked your ideal location and vibe, TeamOut provides a curated list of venues and resorts, complete with detailed info on property features, logistics, and nearby activities.
Their team of specialists can then help you design the perfect corporate retreat based on your needs and goals.
7. iVvy
iVvy connects venues, creators, and suppliers with smart software solutions, making it easier than ever to create and deliver amazing events. They're a trusted venue and event management software name, serving over 10,000 users in 13 countries.
The iVvy event management software platform lets meeting planners search, compare, and book function spaces online, 24/7. Its enhanced reporting feature gives you full visibility on event spending.
If additional features interest you, its user-friendly platform allows you to manage and market your events with personalized campaigns and custom websites, streamlining everything from planning and promotion to ticketing and registration.
8. Eventup Tripleseat
Eventup lets you explore top cities to find the perfect venue for your next corporate event. Designed to simplify event planning, Eventup's smart hospitality software helps clients boost revenue and productivity.
Start by searching for venues based on location, then refine your search by entering the number of guests and event type. Once you select a venue, Eventup provides detailed info on amenities, square footage, F&B options, and pricing. You can even request a quote from the venue directly through their website.
9. Bizly
Bizly is a user-friendly venue booking platform that helps organizations plan and run effective meetings of any size. Whether you're going for in-person meetings or a hybrid approach, their platform gives you full visibility and control over every detail, including venue selection.
Their unified platform makes booking venues a breeze, offering over 500,000 spaces across 150,000 hotels, restaurants, coworking spaces, and unique venues worldwide. They also use their preferred venue relationships to help you cut down on event booking costs.
Bizly is perfect for corporate events aiming to go hybrid.
10. Peerspace
Peerspace is a versatile marketplace for booking and listing unique spaces for all kinds of creative and productive uses.
Whether you're planning a full-day offsite, a quick meeting, a corporate or social event, or any kind of production, Peerspace makes it easy to find and book spaces.
Just enter your activity type, location, and date to start your search. Peerspace will pull up hundreds of venues that match your criteria, complete with details on space, F&B, amenities, and pricing. We especially love the reviews feature, which gives you insights from past bookings.
Should I Use an Online Platform or a Sourcing Agency?
When planning your next corporate event, deciding between using a venue-sourcing platform or opting for a traditional venue-sourcing agency depends on your event goals and what help you are looking for.
Here are some of the pros and cons of using a venue-sourcing platform online or app:
Pros of Using a Venue Sourcing Platform Online/App
- Convenience and Accessibility: Online platforms and apps are accessible 24/7, allowing you to search and compare venues at your own pace without needing to schedule calls with an agency.
- Cost-Effective: Often, using a free online platform can be cheaper than hiring an agency, as it cuts out the middleman and any associated service fees.
- User Reviews and Ratings: Online platforms typically feature reviews and ratings from other users, helping you make more informed decisions.
- Control: Users can directly see pricing, availability, and other details, allowing them to make decisions based on their specific needs and budget.
Cons of Using a Venue Sourcing Platform Online/App
- Limited Personalized Service: Online platforms lack the personalized touch and tailored recommendations that a dedicated agency or event management team can provide.
- Overwhelming Choices: The abundance of options can be overwhelming and time-consuming for you to sift through without expert guidance.
- Potential for Miscommunication: Relying on online communication can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or overlooked details compared to direct interaction with an event professional.
- Less Negotiation Power: Event management agencies have established relationships with venues and can negotiate better deals or perks that might not be available to you on an online platform.
- Lack of On-Site Support: An agency or event management team typically offers on-site support during the event, handling any last-minute issues, which may not be available through an online platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features should I look for in a venue-sourcing platform?
Look for user-friendly search filters, detailed venue information, and direct booking capabilities.
Some platforms also offer customer reviews, event planning tools, and cost estimation features.
How can venue-sourcing platforms save time and money in planning corporate events?
Venue-sourcing platforms help you streamline the search and booking process by providing comprehensive venue details, pricing information, and availability in one place.
This reduces the time spent on manual research and negotiations, and many platforms offer discounts or exclusive deals.
How do I know the venue I choose meets all my event requirements?
Make sure you utilize the platform’s filters to narrow down options based on your specific needs, such as location, capacity, amenities, and budget.
Additionally, read customer reviews, request virtual tours, and directly communicate with venue managers through the platform.
Ready to Plan Your Next Corporate Event?
GoGather has years of experience in venue sourcing, conference logistics, and event management services, crafting memorable experiences for high-profile brands. Let’s brainstorm your next event together.
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