Hosting your next corporate event in Madrid can be an exciting yet daunting experience. With the Cuatro Torres business area’s towering skyscrapers and the Gran Via’s magnificent plazas, the capital of Spain provides its 5 million yearly business travelers with plenty of venues for conferences alongside unforgettable cultural landmarks.

Ahora, all you’ll need is the perfect event management company to handle everything from transport to teams to tapas. Here’s a list of the seven best event management companies in Madrid.

¡Empecemos!

1. TravelPerk: best event management and travel organization

TravelPerk is a best-in-class business travel platform that empowers travelers to connect with their colleagues in real life. With TravelPerk, booking, managing, and coordinating event travel is made easy.

TravelPerk customers also benefit from a comprehensive MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) service. An in-house team of event experts is available to help you with venue sourcing, booking management, timeline management, duty of care, and more.

Due to hybrid and remote working, we recognize that companies are increasingly eager to gather team members in person. Our close relationships with suppliers mean you’ll get the best deal, every time. You’ll also benefit from consolidated invoicing and payment, all on the TravelPerk platform. 

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Offices: London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Berlin, Chicago, Boston, Miami

What event planning services does TravelPerk offer?

TravelPerk offers event management services to customers in the US, the UK, Spain, Germany, France, and other European countries. These may include:

• Group bookings
• Audio/visual effects
• Incentive programs
• Ground transportation
• Theming and production
• Project bookings
• Delegate registration
• And more!

We can be involved in your event as much or as little as you want, depending on your needs. Request a demo below!

2. Madrid Adventures: good for team-building activities

Madrid Adventures has a team of expert organizers and a wealth of local knowledge. They’ve been a full-service event planning company since 1999, providing Spanish- and English-speaking companies with seamless conference management and only the most exciting team-building sessions.

Madrid Adventures also handles transfers for their clients, ensuring transportation goes as smoothly as their full-scale management services.

Headquarters: Madrid

Offices: London

What types of events can you plan with Madrid Adventures?

• Team-building sessions
• Corporate events
• Tours
• Online and virtual events

What event planning services does Madrid Adventures offer?

• Event management 
• Event production
• Logistics and network support
• Event organization

3. DPS Solutions: good for creative event planning

While logistics is a big part of DPS’s services, these event planners focus on vision and conceptualization. The DPS network works closely with companies, offering support and strategic suggestions for your Madrid event.

This events agency doesn’t just cover basic organization. Their designers create and build stands for personalized and unique experiences.

Headquarters: Madrid

What types of events can you plan with DPS Solutions?

• Corporate events
• Conferences
• Congresses
• Expos
• Online events

What event planning services does DPS Solutions offer?

• Conference planning
• Conference coordination
• Event building

4. Ovation Global DMC Madrid: good for incentives and destination management

Ovation Global is committed to sustainably developing events that achieve personalized results. They offer various event services based on their many years of experience and local knowledge, including consultancy and logistics for your event.

However, these service providers aren’t just limited to sunny Spain, they’re also a destination management company offering incentives throughout Europe.

Headquarters: Madrid

Offices: Barcelona

What types of events can you plan with Ovation Global DMC Madrid?

• Corporate events
• Meetings 
• Incentives

What event planning services does Ovation Global DMC Madrid offer?

• Destination consultancy
• Even design 
• Event planning and logistics 

5. WHAT EVENT?: good for entertainment, spaces, and catering

WHAT EVENT? provide personalized services and events management. However, they also go the extra mile with entertainment, catering, and furniture. They’ve worked with a diverse group of clients throughout Spain, providing both full-scale solutions and staffing.

Their network of professionals has experience in various industries, allowing them to adapt to your event objectives easily and to offer you the best solutions. 

Headquarters: Madrid

What types of events can you plan with WHAT EVENT?

• Corporate events
• Dinners
• Galas
• Social events

What event planning services does WHAT EVENT? offer?

• Consultation
• Event management and logistics 
• Event staffing
• Catering
• Entertainment 
• Venue research, material, and furniture

6. Factory Events: good for event dining and event stands

Factory Events focus on three main things: captivating conception, detailed logistics, and excellent dining services for various corporate events. They’ve worked with a diverse range of clients to make everything from galas to conferences.

With two decades of experience, they’re always refining their offers with additional services to make an event stand out. For example, they construct stands for fairs and expos.

Headquarters: Madrid

Offices: Barcelona 

 What types of events can you plan with Factory Events?

• Corporate events
• Product launches
• Gala dinners

What event planning services do Factory Events offer?

• Event management 
• Event conceptualization 
• Catering
• Fair and event stands

7. Robler: good for creative event solutions and event marketing

While Robler offers event management services, they’re primarily a marketing agency. With their combined expertise in both fields, Robler makes events and marketing campaigns, helping clients drive engagement.

They also have a long list of different event types, including cultural, creative, social, and digital events. Robler is especially mindful of how an event reflects a brand’s values, PR, and place in the market.

Headquarters: Madrid

Office: Valencia

 What types of events can you plan with Robler?

• Live events
• Cultural events
• Government and public events
• Social events

What event planning services does Robler offer?

• Event management
• Event marketing
• Branding and video production
• Public relations

Book the best corporate events with TravelPerk

Whether you’re strolling down Plaza Major, visiting the Prado museum, or holding your conference at the IFEMA convention center, there’s plenty of things Madrid has to offer for your next corporate event. 

You’ll also need an event management agency to ensure it’s espectacular. That’s exactly what you can achieve with TravelPerk. With an in-house team to help with venue sourcing, booking, management, and a close relationship with suppliers, and headquartered in Spain, you’ll get the best deal for conferences, tradeshows, kickoffs, in a few clicks.

The post The 7 best event management companies in Madrid appeared first on TravelPerk.

France’s capital is more than the city of glamor and fashion. With 55,805 yearly events in Paris, you can’t go wrong with an event here. However, coordinating all the details for an event is like crafting a delicate French soufflé—every ingredient needs to be just right, or the whole thing might collapse. 

Before you struggle to find the event agency that’s right for you, we’ve done the heavy lifting and found the seven best event management companies in the City of Love. They’ll make your event in Paris—or somewhere else in Europe—a complete success.

Allons-nous?

1. TravelPerk: best for travel organizing for all your business events

TravelPerk is a best-in-class business travel platform that empowers travelers to connect with their colleagues in real life. With TravelPerk, booking, managing, and coordinating event travel is made easy.

TravelPerk customers also benefit from a comprehensive MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) service. An in-house team of event experts is available to help you with venue sourcing, booking management, timeline management, duty of care, and more.

Due to hybrid and remote working, we recognize that companies are increasingly eager to gather team members in person. Our close relationships with suppliers mean you’ll get the best deal, every time. You’ll also benefit from consolidated invoicing and payment, all on the TravelPerk platform. 

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Offices: London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Berlin, Chicago, Boston, Miami

What event planning services does TravelPerk offer?

TravelPerk offers event management services to customers in France, the US, the UK, Spain, Germany, and other European countries. These may include:

• Group bookings
• Audio/visual effects
• Incentive programs
• Ground transportation
• Theming and production
• Project bookings
• Delegate registration
• And more!

We can be involved in your event as much or as little as you want, depending on your needs. Request a demo below!

2. Prestige Avenue: an agency for luxury event management

Prestige Avenue is an event agency that covers full-scale projects. The agency values creativity and has vast experience creating luxury events like business dinners, cocktail parties, and conventions.

They also provide additional services like concierge, audiovisual material, and video production.

Headquarters: Paris

What types of events can you plan with Prestige Avenue?

• Conferences

• Trade shows
• Product launches

What event planning services does Prestige Avenue offer?

• Event organization
• Consultancy
• Luxury transportation

3. IDF Evenements: to find a unique venue for your next event

IDF Evenements is a full-service corporate events management company. Their mission is to create tailor-made projects through services that offer more than expected. They also do events in Bordeaux and Cannes.

With a focus on outdoor venues, lofts, and prestigious locations, IDF Evenements creates a unique, luxurious, and memorable experience for any enterprise.

Headquarters: Paris

What types of events can you plan with IDF Evenements?

• Corporate events
• End-of-year parties
• Brand showcasing

What event planning services does IDF Evenements offer?

• Design and event conceptualization

• Event Organization
• Event Production

4. Moma Event: best for creative event marketing

Moma Event is a French event planning provider. They've done conventions, seminars, and everything in between. They have a team of young, vibrant, and creative talent, operating under the guidance of long-time industry experts.

Besides organizing all your corporate events, they also focus on providing digital solutions.

Headquarters: Paris

What types of events can you plan with Moma Event?

• Seminars
• Brand showcasing
• Team-building

What event planning services does Moma Event offer?

• Event organization
• Event management
• Event planning

5. Maison Opale Events: perfect for events with corporate social responsibility at their heart

Founded in 2021, Maison Opale Events is an events agency that focuses on creating unique events that respect the company’s approach to CSR. They offer a wide variety of events like product launches, press releases, and after-work events for on-the-fly team-building.

Maison Opale Events has offices in Paris, France, but can organize events around the globe. Additionally, they offer support in English, French, and Spanish.

Headquarters: Paris

What types of events can you plan with Maison Opale Events?

• Seminars

• Team-building
• Company evening

What event planning services does Maison Opale Events offer?

• D-day support
• Event conception
• Event management

6. INNOV'events Paris: for corporate events that artfully connect brands with audiences

Founded in 2010, INNOV'events is a full-service event agencies group. They work with over 70 agencies that produce more than 1000 events per year. They have worked with Lacoste, Samsung, Ibis, IKEA, and many more big names for a reason: they’re one of the best groups in the events industry in Europe.

They offer services in English and French.

Headquarters: Paris

Offices: Across France

What types of events can you plan with The Oval Office?

• Team-building events
• Street marketing
• Christmas parties

What event planning services does The Oval Office offer?

• Branding
• Communication services
• Marketing

7. LES TÊTES DE PUB: creating expectation-defying events

LES TÊTES DE PUB, which means “The Advertising Heads” is an advertising company that does events, advertising, and brand identity design. Established in 2017, they have already worked with brands including L’Oreal, UNICEF, and BNP Paribas.

They offer services in English, French, and Hebrew. Although they can work remotely with teams all over the world, their only physical offices are in Paris.

Headquarters: Paris

What types of events can you plan with Les Têtes de Pub?

• Exhibitions
• Product launches
• Collaborations

What event planning services does Les Têtes de Pub offer?

• Brand identity design
• Advertising
• Event planner services

Ensure your guests say ‘oh la la’ at your next event with TravelPerk

Paris is a city where you should be worrying about which macarons you want to buy next, not about the pending tasks for your event. Let these seven event planning agencies take your event from très bonne to magnifique without you having to worry about a thing.

For corporate events, make sure to check TravelPerk. Their team’s know-how in all things corporate travel and their easy-to-use app will ensure you have everything you need with a few clicks, a call, and a morning croissant.

The post The 7 best event management companies in Paris appeared first on TravelPerk.

Hamburg’s cultural and corporate appeal don’t go unnoticed. Just in the first half of 2023, the Hanseatic City has welcomed more than 7.6 million people, more than it did before the pandemic. So if you’re planning your next event in Hamburg, you’re certainly not alone. 

However, if you've ever organized a company event, you know it involves a pretty hefty to-do list. Make your event in Hamburg as best as it can be with one of the seven best event management companies on the market. 

These event agencies have years of experience managing all sorts of events; from trade shows to seminars and all there is in between. Plus, they can all serve you in German or English.

1. TravelPerk: the top event travel organization company

TravelPerk is a best-in-class business travel platform that empowers travelers to connect with their colleagues in real life. With TravelPerk, booking, managing, and coordinating event travel is made easy.

TravelPerk customers also benefit from a comprehensive MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) service. An in-house team of event experts is available to help you with venue sourcing, booking management, timeline management, duty of care, and more.

Due to hybrid and remote working, we recognize that companies are increasingly eager to gather team members in person. Our close relationships with suppliers mean you’ll get the best deal, every time. You’ll also benefit from consolidated invoicing and payment, all on the TravelPerk platform. 

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Offices: Berlin, London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Chicago, Boston, Miami

What event planning services does TravelPerk offer?

TravelPerk offers event management services to customers in Germany, the US, the UK, Spain, France, and other European countries. These may include:

• Group bookings
• Audio/visual effects
• Incentive programs
• Ground transportation
• Theming and production
• Project bookings
• Delegate registration
• And more!

We can be involved in your event as much or as little as you want, depending on your needs. Request a demo below!

2. Com&Sons GmbH: a full-service event agency specializing in live communication

Com&Sons was founded in 2016 in the heart of Hamburg. Since its humble beginnings, the company has won five awards based on their quality of work. They’ve worked with plenty of big brands including: Porsche, Nike, Shell, and many more. 

Com&Sons main focus is on live communication events, and they offer various online marketing services that can drastically broaden the reach of your event.

Headquarters: Hamburg

What type of events do they plan? 

• Live communication
• Corporate events
• Online events

What services do they offer? 

• Online marketing
• IT and corporate design
• Participant communication

3. Grip & Verstand: for German and international events

Grip & Verstand’s events expertise extends far beyond the Hanseatic city. They serve clients across Germany, Europe, and even globally. Specializing in live communication, they excel at bringing brands to life. Thanks to the team’s expertise, they’ve served clients like Oral B, IKEA, and the BMW Group, among many others. 

Grip & Verstand also have flexible pricing options to support you no matter what your budget is.

Headquarters: Hamburg

What type of events do they plan? 

• Touring events
• Conferences
• Hybrid events

What services do they offer? 

• Live marketing
• Social media
• Event design

4. Jens Pelikan & Friends: creating real experiences to connect with your audience

Jens Pelikan and Friends have more than 20 years of experience under their belts. Realizing that the only way to connect brands—whether B2C or B2B—with audiences was through real experiences they’ve made it their mission to create memorable on-site events for their clients. 

Some of the Jens Pelikan and Friends clients have been big names like Pandora, Hamburger Sparkasse, and DS Automobile.

Headquarters: Hamburg

Offices: Berlin, Frankfurt, Hanover, Cologne

What type of events do they plan? 

• Conferences
• PR events
• Trade fairs

What services do they offer? 

• Live marketing
• Guest management
• Catering

5. REVAMP: event planners specializing in B2B brands

Founded in 2019, REVAMP, a dynamic event and marketing agency for B2B brands, prioritizes precision and strategy for business events. They provide ideation, execution, and coaching for your customer service team to ensure seamless communication from kickoff, through the event, and beyond. 

REVAMP understands how important music is for any event, so they connect musicians with brands to ensure every event is uniquely memorable.  

Headquarters: Hamburg

What type of events do they plan? 

• Virtual events
• Corporate events
• Live events

What services do they offer? 

• Event management
• Customer service coaching
• Event marketing

6. Schnell Event Services: for tailor-made event solutions

Established in 1989, Schnell Event Services works with you from the conception to the staging of your event. With this event agency, you just need to have an idea of what you want to achieve, where you’d like to make it happen, and how many people there'll be; they’ll take care of everything else. 

Schnell Event Services also selects the best service provider team for your event.

Headquarters: Hamburg

What type of events do they plan? 

• Award ceremonies
• Fashion shows
• Trade fairs

What services do they offer? 

• Music management
• Event production
• Exhibition organization

7. The Y GmbH: the event agency for brand experience design

The Y is a fresh and modern company that creates brand experiences through in-person and virtual events. They’re more of a marketing services agency, but their focus on events makes them an event agency to consider as well. 

Despite being recently founded in 2020, the team has already proven their value with brands like Volkswagen, Ritter Sport, and Bonprix.

Headquarters: Hamburg

What type of events do they plan? 

• Virtual events
• Live events
• Product launches

What services do they offer? 

• Event concept
• Event strategy
• Social media

Ready to plan your next event in Hamburg?

Perhaps your event in the European city with the most bridges could help you bridge the gap between your brand and its success. Especially, if you make it with one of these seven top event management companies. If you’re looking for a corporate event travel company, TravelPerk is your go-to. With their experienced team, say goodbye to stress and spreadsheets, and manage everyone’s travel plans all in one place. You’ll have your guests crying sehr gut in no time at all.

The post The 7 best event management companies in Hamburg appeared first on TravelPerk.

Imagine hosting your conference in Edinburgh Castle (yes, it’s possible!) or backpacking through the Highlands for a team-building session—sounds good, right? You’re not alone in your pining for Edinburgh, four million people visit this enchanting capital each year for a reason: its unique charm and magical beauty.

However, planning your event in such a stunning city is no easy feat, especially when you have numerous options to consider—venue, event type, and even food preferences (psst. maybe not everyone loves haggis!). We’ve compiled a list of the seven best event management companies in Edinburgh to ensure your next event is an unforgettable experience.

Let’s get into it! 

1. TravelPerk: best overall in event management and travel organisation

TravelPerk is a best-in-class business travel platform that empowers travellers to connect with their colleagues in real life. With TravelPerk, booking, managing, and coordinating event travel is made easy.

TravelPerk customers also benefit from a comprehensive MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) service. An in-house team of event experts is available to help you with venue sourcing, booking management, timeline management, duty of care, and more.

Due to hybrid and remote working, we recognise that companies are increasingly eager to gather team members in person. Our close relationships with suppliers mean you’ll get the best deal, every time. You’ll also benefit from consolidated invoicing and payment, all on the TravelPerk platform. 

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Offices: Edinburgh, London, Birmingham, Berlin, Chicago, Boston, Miami

What event planning services does TravelPerk offer?

TravelPerk offers event management services to customers in the US, the UK, Spain, Germany, France, and other European countries. These may include:

• Group bookings
• Audio/visual effects
• Incentive programs
• Ground transportation
• Theming and production
• Project bookings
• Delegate registration
• And more!

We can be involved in your event as much or as little as you want, depending on your needs. Request a demo below!

2. YourGB Events: great for event branding and marketing

These Edinburgh event managers combine creative event conceptualisation with strategic and innovative strategies. The result is a conference with maximum engagement and expert management.

YourGB Events covers full-scale professional event creation, guiding your corporation every step of the way. Besides complete event management services, they also cover branding, marketing, and content aspects.

Headquarters: Edinburgh

Offices: London

What types of events can you plan with GB Events?

• Live events
• Brand showcasing
• Conferences and corporate events

What event planning services does GB Events?

• On-site event management
• Logistics
• Branding
• Marketing
• PR and social media

3. Breaking Strain Events: for adventure and trekking team building activities

Breaking Strain Events is for professionals seeking a bit more adventure in their next team-building session or company trip. Their prime focus is offering engaging trips and activities in the great outdoors.

While Breaking Strain Events operates throughout Scotland, they also offer many global destinations. Companies can choose from activities including treks, races, and challenges for an altogether unique experience.

Headquarters: Edinburgh

What types of events can you plan with Breaking Strain Events?

• Outdoor team-building sessions
• Challenges
• Races 
• Treks

What event planning services does Breaking Strain Events offer?

• Event management
• Destination management
• Booking
• Monitoring & measuring
• Management review 

4. SHSC Events Management: good for conferences and congresses

SHSC Events Management is a full-scale event management provider with experience in the public, private, and voluntary sectors. Some of their famous clients include NHS Scotland and even the Scottish government.

SHSC organisers also use a unique combination of tools and methods to boost engagement for your next conference or congress. Some examples include posters, polls, presenter coaching, and satellite sessions.

Headquarters: Edinburgh

What types of events can you plan with SHSC Event Management?

• Corporate events
• Conferences
• Online events

What event planning services does SHSC Event Management offer?

• Event management
• Virtual event creation
• Venue finding

5. Reeltime: great for Scottish event entertainment

While many corporations may need old-fashioned conferences, others may prefer bagpipes, whiskey-tasting experiences, and historical landmarks for team building. Fortunately, Reeltime provides event entertainment and activities.

These suppliers focus on providing your event with unique experiences of local Scottish culture along with goodie bags and catering to go the extra mile.

Headquarters: Edinburgh

What types of events can you plan with Reeltime?

• Conferences
• Corporate events
• Team building sessions
• Product launches

What event planning services does Reeltime offer?

• Entertainment
• Activities
• Catering 
• Wedding entertainment
• Gift bags

6. Vision Events: good for audiovisual solutions and galas

While based in Edinburgh, this events company has 35 years of experience creating a wide range of events all across the UK. Vision Events also provides audiovisual and technological solutions for an additional wow factor.

Vision Events has also worked with various famous brands, including TED and Aljeezera to create new and interesting spins on corporate event classics. 

Headquarters: Edinburgh

Offices: Glasgow

What types of events can you plan with Vision Events?

• Live events
• Corporate events
• Creative events
• Company dinners 
• Galas

What event planning services does Reeltime offer?

• Event management
• Event production
• Audiovisual solutions and technology

7. Lux Events: diverse event management portfolio

Lux Events has built up an impressive client list over 10+ years of high-quality event management, including famous brands like Johnnie Walker, Volvo, and CNN. Besides covering the whole event process from start to finish, especially interesting is their speaker and guest management services.

Their event planners combine creative approaches with proactive logistic solutions to make events both engaging and seamless.

Headquarters: Edinburgh

What types of events can you plan with Lux events?

• Conferences
• Award ceremonies
• Dinners
• Launch events
• Brand activations
• Experiential events

What event planning services do Lux Events offer?

• Overall project management
• Event strategy and design 
• Speaker, guest, and sponsor management
• Logistics
• Evaluation

TravelPerk makes corporate events a breeze

The perfect Edinburgh event is all about organisation. You’ll need a team helping with everything from venue sourcing to booking and management. That’s exactly where TravelPerk can help. With a network of industry professionals, you can make your next corporate event flawless through TravelPerk’s comprehensive MICE services. 

That's it! Now it’s time to pick your poison: enjoy a Scottish whisky or an Irn-Bru, and celebrate the success of your event.

The post The 7 best event management companies in Edinburgh appeared first on TravelPerk.

From highland castles to the Celtic stadium, Glasgow can be the perfect conference backdrop, with 3.2 million people visiting last year. However, although planning corporate events is no doubt exciting—it can be stressful, too. You’ll have to cover travel organization, venue research, and select the ideal location before meeting with your colleagues face to face.

The solution? Hire an event management company in Glasgow. If you’re ready to host your event at Scotland's largest city, look no further—these are our top seven picks.

1. TravelPerk: best travel organization for corporate events

TravelPerk is a best-in-class business travel platform that empowers travelers to connect with their colleagues in real life. With TravelPerk, booking, managing, and coordinating event travel is made easy.

TravelPerk customers also benefit from a comprehensive MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) service. An in-house team of event experts is available to help you with venue sourcing, booking management, timeline management, duty of care, and more.

Due to hybrid and remote working, we recognize that companies are increasingly eager to gather team members in person. Our close relationships with suppliers mean you’ll get the best deal every time. You’ll also benefit from consolidated invoicing and payment, all on the TravelPerk platform. 

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Offices: Edinburgh, London, Birmingham, Berlin, Chicago, Boston, Miami

What event planning services does TravelPerk offer?

TravelPerk offers event management services to customers in the US, the UK, Spain, Germany, France, and other European countries. These may include:

• Group bookings
• Audio/visual effects
• Incentive programs
• Ground Transportation
• Theming and production
• Project bookings
• Delegate registration
• And more!

We can be involved in your event as much or as little as you want, depending on your needs. Request a demo below!

2. Panoptic Events: a good choice for luxury event management

Panoptic Events specializes in providing high-quality experiences across multiple sectors, offering full-scale solutions for corporate, social, and cultural event management. They have first-hand knowledge across various industries for personalized results.

Panoptic also takes it up with its prestigious, exclusive event options, covering accommodation and travel bookings to some of Glasgow’s most luxurious venues.  

Headquarters: Glasgow

What types of events can you plan with Panoptic?

• Digital events
• Social events
• Corporate events
• Luxury events

What event planning services does Panoptic offer?

• Full event management
• Event marketing
• Event design
• Venue sourcing

3. Crest Events: wide range of catering and entertainment for events

Crest Events covers a wide range of essential event services. However, this event agency also focuses on the finer details for a memorable experience, including LED lettering and numbers, catering, dance floor hire entertainment, and photo booth hire. Their team is highly connected with renowned producers and suppliers to support flawless event management. 

Especially notable is their on-the-day event management support, ensuring everything goes as planned.

Headquarters: Glasgow

What types of events can you plan with Crest Events

• Corporate events
• Public events
• Weddings
• Live celebrations
• Award ceremonies

What event planning services do Crest Events offer?

• Event management
• Live event support
• Entertainment
• Catering
• Photo booths
• LED lettering and number decorations and signs

4. McKenna Media: wide range of audiovisual solutions for events

With 25 years of experience under its belt, McKenna Media offers a wide variety of world-class event services and technological solutions. Carefully developing a personal approach to each client, they’ve managed many successful events for world-famous brands.

McKenna Media also knows how critical audiovisual solutions can be. They specialize in providing screens and cutting-edge lighting to elevate the ambiance of any experience.

Headquarters: Glasgow

What types of events can you plan with McKenna Media?

• Corporate events
• Live events
• Fundraisers 

What event planning services does McKenna Media offer? 

• Event management
• Logistics
• Technological solutions like screens, sound, and lighting

5. Vision Events Glasgow: good for innovative and creative event experiences

Vision Events Glasgow is a full-scale event management company and production partner, covering each aspect, from creative conceptualization to strategic logistics. With 20 years of experience in the events industry, they also offer event consultancy.

Vision Events values innovation, so they’re constantly investing in the newest methods to drive event engagement. From tours to voting, they offer unique ways to stand out

Headquarters: Glasgow

Offices: Edinburgh

What types of events can you plan with Vision Events Glasgow?

• Conferences and live events
• Awards shows
• Virtual events
• Seminars
• Product launches

What event planning services do Vision Events Glasgow offer?

• Event production
• Audiovisual solutions
• Event consultancy

6. Hello Scotland: good for team building sessions across Scotland

While based in Glasgow, Hello Scotland covers incentives, events, and destination management throughout the country. They have unique destinations for incentives, company trips, and team-building sessions.

However, this Glasgow-based event management company also covers off-site corporate event management services, including meet & greets, transfers, team dinners, and other activities.

Headquarters: Glasgow

What types of events can you plan with Hello Scotland?

• Incentives
• Conferences 
• Congresses
• Team building sessions
• Company trips

What event planning services does Hello Scotland offer?

• Off-site event management 
• Catering
• Venue research
• Destination management

7. KDM Events: flexible event management services

KDM is an event company for corporate events of all sizes. They’ve been in the business for 30 years, developing conferences and tradeshows on both a small and large scale.

Besides real-life events, corporations can also take advantage of their virtual team-building activities and virtual conference options.

Headquarters: Glasgow

 What types of events can you plan with KDM?

• Conferences
• Meetings
• Team building sessions
• Virtual events

What event planning services does KDM offer?

• Event conceptualization and management
• Venue research
• Destination management
• Audio visual solutions

Make the most of your corporate event with TravelPerk

While Glasgow can be the perfect place for your upcoming conference, kickoff, or tradeshow, you’ll need superb event management for it to go smoothly. 

TravelPerk offers comprehensive solutions for corporate travel, including a dedicated team of in-house experts helping you with venue sourcing books and overall management for all your event needs. With its network of providers, you’ll get centralized invoicing and the most cost-effective options.

Just sit back and enjoy your tea with shortbread cookies knowing that your event is in safe hands.

The post The 7 best event management companies in Glasgow appeared first on TravelPerk.

Many companies have seen disruptions to their operations in 2023, including business travel. Travelers have had to think on their feet, change plans quickly, and deal with rising prices. But how much of an impact has this had on professionals around the world? Have various regions been affected differently, and how are travelers dealing with the chaos?

We conducted an online survey of 4000 business travelers from a range of ages and industries, across four countries: the UK, the US, Spain, and Germany.  

Below, we’ve gathered a few key findings from our business travel survey to bring you new insights on the current state of employee travel.

Key takeaways from TravelPerk’s Business Travel Chaos survey

• 79% of global business travelers have experienced a travel disruption in 2023
• UK business travelers report that they’ve been the most impacted by transportation strikes (28%), while weather-related disruptions like natural disasters and floods have mostly affected American travelers (33%). US travelers are also the most affected by visa issues compared to Europeans, with 17% being affected by denied entry or delayed visa processing. 
• In all countries surveyed, 40% of all business travelers reported being impacted by delays, and 1 in 4 business travelers have faced cancellations in 2023
• An average of 40% of travelers say they’re checking for travel updates more frequently because of the delays, while 35% say they now prefer to book options with flexible cancellation policies
• When things go wrong, 33% of global travelers would prefer to speak to a human customer service representative

According to travelers, the top benefits of business travel are exploring new places (44%) and developing new skills (43%)

Travelers are struggling to find options within their budget

When asked what they find the most challenging about booking a business trip, the highest percentage of travelers (34%) said they struggled to find travel options that weren’t too expensive or were within their budget. An additional 30% said it was difficult to find travel options to suit their schedule.

With inflation impacting business travel prices, it’s no surprise that an increasing number of professionals are concerned about costs. Fortunately, airfares and hotel rates began to stabilize in the second quarter (Q2) of 2023, according to our data.  

40% of travelers have been affected by delays of more than one hour in 2023, while almost a quarter have been affected by cancellations

Travel delays have been a serious problem in 2023. For example, airports in the US are experiencing record-high numbers of passengers and flights with no increase in capacity to accommodate them, according to the US PIRG (Public Interest Research Group). Flight delays were also an issue in Europe, with 106.7 million air travelers affected in the summer months alone, according to Aviation Direct.

These travel trends were borne out in our data, which showed that 40% of travelers across all countries experienced delays of more than an hour in 2023. Moreover, 24% of travelers dealt with cancellations as well. These were particularly an issue in the UK, where 30% of travelers were affected by cancellations.

Travelers are checking for updates more frequently and booking options with flexible cancellation policies

Travel disruptions are changing the way people travel for work, as professionals do their best to avoid being derailed by changes to their trip. 39% of all travelers surveyed report that they are checking for travel updates more frequently, while 35% are now booking options with flexible cancellation policies, and 34% are allowing more travel time to get to their destination.

In the US, travelers were particularly likely to allow more travel time to get to their destination, with 43% reporting that they would do this. This makes sense, considering the high number of travel delays affecting the US – 84% of US travelers experienced some form of travel disruption in 2023.

In Spain, the largest percentage of travelers said they were checking for travel updates more frequently (41%), while the largest percentage of travelers in Germany (37%) said they were booking options with flexible cancellation policies.

Most travelers prefer to talk to a human customer service representative

Across all four countries surveyed, travelers agree: The human touch is a key concern for them when booking business travel. When emergencies happen and travelers need to cancel or change their booking, they’d prefer to have a real-life person to talk to.

33% of respondents said talking to a human customer service representative by phone was their preferred option for making modifications. They said they’d rather do this than make changes online, via SMS, using a chatbot, or by speaking with someone at the airport.

Travelers are concerned about their health and work arrangements

Across all countries surveyed, business travelers found it difficult to catch up with in-person meetings, virtual meetings, and emails after a business trip. Overall, 35% said they found this to be a problem, while an even higher percentage in the US (39%) thought this was a problem.

Travelers were also concerned about jet lag and physical fatigue, with 20% across all countries saying they were concerned with this. As health and well-being become an increasing focus in the workplace, this is no surprise—one in three US workers report being highly concerned with their workplace well-being in general, according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. 

Compiling, submitting, and getting expenses approved for a trip can also present a challenge. 19% of travelers had an issue with this across all countries. 

Business travelers find it challenging to keep up with work and be away from loved ones

36% of travelers reported that it was difficult to be away from loved ones while on a trip, while 27% said it was hard to keep up-to-date on ongoing projects or work. 29% also said that being able to make changes to their trip when needed was a significant challenge for them.

These numbers were fairly similar across the four countries surveyed. US travelers were mostly concerned with keeping up with projects and work (33%), while in Spain, Germany, and the UK, being away from loved ones was considered the greatest difficulty. 

What business travelers can do to mitigate travel disruptions

With all this chaos going on, it’s understandable that professionals might feel concerned about their upcoming business travel plans. Fortunately, there’s a lot that can be done to manage travel disruptions and limit their damage.

Here are some tips travelers can follow to prepare for their upcoming trips:

Build in buffer time

Considering the recent travel delays, it’s a good idea to build in extra buffer time for your business trips. This might mean:

• Leaving more time to get to the airport or train station in case of a delay
• Planning to stay an extra night in your destination to make the pace of travel more relaxed
• Planning layovers that are long enough to transfer comfortably from one mode of transportation to the next

Pack smart

24% of US business travelers were impacted by lost or delayed luggage in 2023, so it’s important to be prepared for unexpected circumstances. If your luggage is delayed or if you get stuck somewhere overnight, you’ll need to have the right supplies with you. This will prevent you from feeling stressed out if you have important meetings to attend once you arrive at your destination.

Be sure to carry essential items in your hand luggage, including:

• Medications
• Identity and travel documents
• A change of clothes
• Toiletries (shampoo, soap, razors, etc.)
• Phone chargers
• Laptop and charger, in case you need to get work done on the go

Know your rights

Did you know that you might be entitled to compensation if your flight or train is delayed? Different countries have different laws about delays and cancellations. Familiarize yourself with these before you travel, so you’ll know how to get your money back if something goes wrong with your travel plans.

For example, the EU’s air passenger rules state that passengers are entitled to reimbursement, rerouting, or return, as well as assistance at the airport, if their flight gets canceled. If the passenger is informed of the cancellation less than 14 days prior to the scheduled departure time, they also have the right to compensation.

If a flight is delayed, EU passengers also have the right to reimbursement, assistance, and a return flight. In addition, passengers are entitled to compensation if the flight arrives at the final destination with a delay of more than three hours.

EU rail passengers have the right to a rerouting or refund under certain circumstances, in case of cancellation or delays.

US air passengers are entitled to a refund in the case of cancellations or delays, according to the US Department of Transportation. The US does not have laws on rail travel compensation.

How TravelPerk helps travelers overcome the challenges of travel disruptions

TravelPerk offers a best-in-class business travel software solution to help travelers easily book, manage, and save money on business trips. With TravelPerk, business travelers can find hotel, flight, and rail bookings at the best rates, submit expense reports, manage corporate travel policies, recover VAT, offset their carbon footprint to meet sustainability goals, and more.

Saving you money

One of the main travel challenges reported by business travelers is compiling, submitting, and getting expenses approved for a trip. This challenge affected 19% of travelers across all countries. TravelPerk can help with this—the platform manages expenses and invoices in one place, while also integrating with the world’s leading expense platforms. Users can set up expense management automations and speed up the process for everyone on the team.

As global business travel prices and airfares rise, many travelers are concerned about budget. With 34% of travelers struggling to find options within budget, and another 30% finding it challenging to book options that suit their schedule, it’s clear that saving money is a top priority. TravelPerk’s extensive inventory of accommodation and travel services can help users find the best option to suit their needs. And TravelPerk offers corporate travel clients the best negotiated rates, allowing them to maximize savings when booking.

Keeping you informed

Since 39% of TravelPerk survey respondents check for information more frequently as a result of travel disruptions, these individuals may benefit from using TravelCare. TravelCare users (business travelers and admins) will get notifications of any disruptions or changes to their travel plans via the app. They will also have immediate access to the customer care team if they need assistance. This will help travel managers meet their duty of care and health and safety obligations.

In addition, when making bookings on the TravelPerk platform, travelers will have access to clear, verified, real-time risk and regulation information—so they can book with confidence. 

Help when you need it

The highest percentage of travelers (33%) prefer speaking to a human customer service representative by phone. They’ll love TravelPerk’s seven-star rated customer care service, which is available 24/7. 

Travel delays and changes create a greater need for flexible cancellation policies. With 35% of travelers actively looking for flexible offerings, TravelPerk’s FlexiPerk solution is the perfect fit. Using FlexiPerk, travelers can cancel a booking up to two hours before departure and get 80% of the cost back as credit on the TravelPerk platform. This results in an average 40% saving compared to traditional flexible fares.

Overall, 2023 has been a year of major changes, including some disruptions in travel. These have left travelers concerned and looking for different solutions to ensure their trips go as planned. The good news is, with advanced planning and the right tools, there’s no need to worry—travelers can take precautions to ensure they have a great trip, with the right resources to manage the situation if things go wrong. Hopefully, travel industry providers will see a resolution of these issues for next year and beyond.

Methodology
OnePoll conducted an online survey on behalf of TravelPerk from 27 October to 07 November 2023, with 4000 employed adults from the UK, US, Germany and Spain who travel for work. Respondents came from organizations within sectors such as accountancy, banking & finance, retail, and healthcare.

The post Key takeaways from TravelPerk’s Business Travel Chaos survey appeared first on TravelPerk.

Whether you're planning a last-minute vacation or heading off on an unplanned business trip, securing travel options that won’t break the bank can be a daunting task. Let’s face it, last-minute flights aren’t usually the cheapest airfares. Sometimes, spontaneous trips are necessary, so it’s good to know what your options are to save money on your speedy travel plans.

In this article, we're going to guide you through the process of booking a last-minute trip without breaking the bank, catering to the needs of both leisure and business travelers.

Leisure travel: mastering the art of last-minute travel deals

Any last-minute travel booking can be stressful, whether it’s for business or leisure. Each comes with its own challenges, so we’ve decided to look at each individually—this way you’ll know exactly what you’re dealing with, and common pitfalls (and solutions) to look out for. 

You might be heading off on a snap holiday, or you might have an under-the-wire family event. Whatever the case, here are the main challenges you might face as a leisure traveler.

The challenges of last-minute leisure travel

Limited availability

You might have a specific destination in mind, say Chicago or San Diego, but if you’re booking a last-minute journey, you might find that there’s very little availability on booking websites like Expedia. It helps to let go of any specific requirements and be open to different arrangements.

Practical reasons

Some holidays require planning in advance, whether that’s sorting car hire, planning ski rental, or booking specific attractions. Some top destinations might require booking ahead for activities and tours, particularly during peak season, so booking at the last minute can often mean you risk losing out on the best attractions. 

It’s worth considering the time of year (for example, New York at Christmas or Thanksgiving) and see if you can avoid those holiday periods. Booking far in advance also means you can enjoy the wait—for many people, half the joy of a holiday is in counting down and looking forward to it.

Special occasions

If you have specific travel dates in mind, for example, if you’re celebrating an occasion like a honeymoon or an anniversary, booking at the last minute can lead to disappointment. Coinciding with a special day isn’t very conducive to the book-and-go approach, as you may find yourself with limited options.

Our top tips for last-minute holiday bargains

Booking a holiday at the eleventh hour while looking for cheap flights and well-priced vacation rentals isn't easy. But it most definitely can be done— in fact, there are even certain perks!

Here are our hacks to securing the best deals for your next spontaneous getaway, without doing too much damage to your credit card.

Check accommodation and travel simultaneously

A common pitfall in last-minute travel planning is overlooking the total cost of the journey, especially if you’re planning a round trip. It's not uncommon for flights to seem well priced, only for you to discover that accommodation is wildly expensive, or vice versa. To strike the right balance, it’s worth exploring platforms that offer vacation packages for both travel and accommodation.

Leverage loyalty and credit card deals

Frequent leisure travelers can capitalize on their loyalty program points and credit card rewards to significantly reduce travel expenses. Airlines, hotel chains, and credit card companies often provide exclusive offers, discounts, and perks that can make a significant dent in the overall cost of your journey. For the best offers around, join newsletters or download their apps.

Embrace flexibility in your plans

Flexibility is your best friend when it comes to securing last-minute deals. If you can adapt your departure dates, you'll be well on your way to finding better vacation deals. Take advantage of flexible date search features on booking platforms to uncover the best offers, from last-minute hotel deals to car rental cancellations.  Are you planning a road trip around Europe? Or are you set on a beach holiday in California?Or maybe Cancun?Wherever you have in mind, we’d recommend keeping your options open as far as possible.

Consider staying away from the center

In addition to flexible travel dates, it’s worth being flexible about your location. During your quest for affordable last-minute travel, consider hotels, hostels or Airbnbs located slightly away from the city center and trending tourist hotspots. These options are usually much more budget-friendly, and you know what they say: less-traveled paths can lead to hidden gems.

Explore alternative airports

If your last-minute plans allow for flexibility in your arrival airport, consider exploring smaller airports—or even airports in neighboring cities. These may offer more availability and more attractive pricing options. Just be sure to factor in transportation costs and convenience when making your choice! Now you know the best tips to book last-minute leisure travel without breaking the bank, let’s move on to business travel

Business travel: making each trip count

Corporate travel is subject to change. Deals and meetings often move around faster than you can keep up, and demand rapid, efficient, and cost-effective solutions.

You might be dealing with crisis management, meeting client demands, or working around employee schedules: there are multiple reasons why business travel might be a last-minute ordeal. Knowing how to secure the best travel deals each time is essential.

Before we get onto our top tips, here are the main drawbacks of last-minute business travel.

Challenges of last-minute corporate travel

High costs

Last-minute flights and accommodation usually come with a hefty price tag, but particularly for corporate travelers. You might need to book a corporate venue, for example for a board meeting, and often you’ll be faced not only with limited availability but also much higher prices than usual.

Time-consuming search process

Scouring multiple booking websites for the best options is a time-consuming task. Business travelers often have limited time to plan and book their trips, so efficiency is a top priority. Employee time spent combing through various booking sites isn’t time well spent.

Limited availability

Last-minute options can be scarce, especially during peak travel seasons or when attending important events. Business trips usually come with more fixed times, meaning you have less flexibility when booking. Securing the right flights and accommodations can be challenging.

Policy compliance

Last-minute travel often falls outside of corporate travel policies due to its higher costs. Finding cost-effective options that align with company guidelines can be tricky. Employee duty of care is also something to bear in mind—it’s harder to implement when plans have been made at the eleventh hour.

Our top tips for last-minute corporate travel options

Navigating spontaneous business trips isn’t always a simple task, but with strategic planning and access to the right resources, it is possible to book efficiently. Here are our tried-and-tested hacks for keeping those costs low.

Utilize an all-in-one business travel platform

One of the most effective ways to streamline the process of last-minute business travel is by using an all-in-one business travel platform like TravelPerk.

You can easily compare prices and availability while staying within your company's travel policy guidelines. The convenience of booking all your travel essentials in one go allows employees to take control of their itineraries, reduce costs, and minimize the hassle associated with last-minute bookings.

Take advantage of exclusive negotiated rates

If last-minute travel is a frequent occurrence in your company, negotiating your own rates with individual providers can be a major drain on employee time.

Instead, you can leverage the exclusive negotiated rates available through business travel platforms like TravelPerk. These platforms continuously collaborate with various suppliers and have access to rates that often surpass those you can find independently through leisure travel websites. Allow them to handle the negotiations while you enjoy the cost savings.

Book flexible options

Given the often unpredictable nature of business travel, it's important to be as adaptable as possible and well-prepared for any changes. With TravelPerk you can access bonus extras like FlexiPerk to provide flexibility in your travel plans and guarantee money back in case of last-minute changes.

Don’t waste a second—prepare a game plan for your next last-minute trip

The bottom line is that you’re always better off when looking for a last-minute trip outside peak times, but this isn’t always possible, especially when traveling for business reasons. Part of the trouble is spending time trawling the internet for the best options—but you don’t have to.

Instead of wasting precious employee time on multiple websites searching for deals, you can book everything you need in one place, including flights, hotels, car rentals, apartments, and even train tickets. With all-in-one platforms such as TravelPerk, you can access an industry-leading inventory that provides you with a wide array of options at your fingertips.

Travel can’t always be planned months in advance, we get that, so if you’ve got to book a last-minute trip, do it right. 

The post How to book last-minute travel without breaking the bank appeared first on TravelPerk.

Thinking about hosting your next corporate event in Chicago? You’re not alone. In May 2023, Chicago was the leading US city for the US meetings and events industry. But planning a corporate event takes a massive amount of work and coordination. 

From managing vendors coordinating public relations, travel plans and hospitality, the planning process is not for the faint of heart. 

With the level of complexity corporate events have, having an event management company on your team can help ensure a successful event.

Best Chicago event management companies

Here are some of the best Chicago-based event planners to support your event vision and execution.

1. TravelPerk

TravelPerk is a best-in-class business travel platform that empowers travelers to connect with their colleagues in real life. With TravelPerk, booking, managing, and coordinating event travel is made easy.

TravelPerk customers also benefit from a comprehensive MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) service. An in-house team of event experts is available to help you with venue sourcing, booking management, timeline management, duty of care, and more.

Due to hybrid and remote working, we recognize that companies are increasingly eager to gather team members in person. Our close relationships with suppliers mean you’ll get the best deal, every time. You’ll also benefit from consolidated invoicing and payment, all on the TravelPerk platform. 

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Offices: Chicago, Boston, Miami, London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Berlin

What event planning services does TravelPerk offer?

TravelPerk offers event management services to customers in the US, the UK, Spain, Germany, France, and other European countries. These may include:

• Group bookings
• Audio/visual effects
• Incentive programs
• Ground transportation
• Theming and production
• Project bookings
• Delegate registration
• And more!

We can be involved in your event as much or as little as you want, depending on your needs. Request a demo below!

2. Paulette Wolf Events

Paulette Wolf Events is a full-service event management company with decades of experience creating unique, innovative and experiential events. They specialize in high-end, personalized events for Fortune 500 companies, premier sporting leagues and more.  

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois 

Other Offices: Miami, Florida 

What type of events can you plan with Paulette Wolf Events? 

They handle all kinds of live events, from festivals and sporting events to grand openings, product launches, special events and more. 

What services does Paulette Wolf offer? 

Their emphasis is on high-end, luxury, live events and experiences, with services such as: 

• Event design and management
• Event marketing
• Festival management
• Transportation and logistics
• Vendor sourcing and negotiation 
• Red Carpet management
• Hospitality and Catering 
• and more

3. Revel Global Events

Revel Global Events is a Chicago-based event management company specializing in bold, innovative events that are meaningful, memorable and impactful. 

Headquarters: Chicago, IL

What type of events can you plan with Revel Global Events? 

They can handle everything from formal galas and corporate celebrations to experiential events, brand launches, trade shows and more. 

What services does Revel Global Events offer? 

• Concepts and strategy
• Creative design and decor
• Celebrities and entertainment
• Non-profit management and sponsorship
• Logistics and permitting 
• and more

4. Ladidadi Events & Incentives

Ladidadi is a global collective with designing and executing memorable corporate events and experiences. With a unique flexible pricing and services model, you can reduce the number of service providers you work with and pay only for the services you need. 

Headquarters: Chicago, IL

What type of events can you plan with Ladidadi? 

Any type of corporate event, from company meetings and offsites to board dinners, holiday parties, trainings, tradeshows and conventions and more. 

What services does Ladidadi offer? 

• Creative concepting and strategy 
• Branding and event promotion
• Contract negotiation
• Vendor coordination
• Talent management
• On-site staffing 
• and more

5. Next Level Event Design

Next Level Event Design is an award-winning full-service event planning company specializing in unforgettable, innovative events that will leave a lasting impression for your guests. 

Headquarters: Chicago, IL

What type of events can you plan with Next Level Events? 

Anything from building openings and product launches to conferences, galas, experiential events and more. 

What services does Next Level Events offer? 

• Website design
• Event scheduling and strategy
• Translation services
• Transportation and logistics
• and more 

6. Absolute Production Services

Absolute Production Services specializes in virtual and hybrid events, giving you endless possibilities for unforgettable events, whether you’re meeting together in person or remotely from around the world. 

Headquarters: Chicago, IL

What type of events can you plan with Absolute Production Services? 

Virtual events of all kinds, including press conferences, award ceremonies, fundraisers, community events, conferences and more. 

What services does Absolute Production Services offer? 

• Custom landing pages 
• Scrolling agendas
• Up to 5 live presenters on the stream
• High-quality, broadcast-like production elements 
• Custom transitions and integrations 
• and more

7. 360 Destination Group

360 Destination Group is a destination management company (DMC) specializing in elevated destination and event management, allowing you to host unforgettable events in destinations around the US, with carefully curated details that match your brand. 

Headquarters: Chicago, IL

What type of events can you plan with 360 Destination Group? 

They specialize in destination events, including incentive events, company retreats, annual business meetings and more. 

What services does 360 Destination Group offer? 

• Event design and development
• Entertainment
• Dining experiences
• Tours and activities
• Team building
• Hospitality management 
• and more

The bottom line

Whether you’re looking to plan a virtual awards ceremony, an annual company offsite, or a major conference, these Chicago events management teams will help ensure your next event is unforgettable. 

For an ongoing partner in travel and events management, look to TravelPerk. Our all-in-one corporate travel management platform allows you to organize company events that bring everyone together, minus the messy spreadsheets. Plus, you’ll get access to our comprehensive in-house team for venue sourcing, event planning and more. 

The post The 7 best corporate event management companies in Chicago appeared first on TravelPerk.

Planning a holiday party or an evening out with your team might be simple enough, but what about corporate events where the stakes are higher? Things like: 

• fundraising events and galas
• important board meetings or trade shows
• large conferences or team incentive trips 

When it comes to organizing a corporate event, things can become complex quickly. There are so many touchpoints to consider, from the planning process to public relations to coordinating with service providers and rentals and vendors. But with 98% of US federal employees agreeing that in-person events and conferences are “important to advancing their agency’s mission,” you can’t just ignore events altogether. 

Instead, hiring an event management company can save your team tons of headaches and help you create on-brand events that wow your attendees. 

Best event management companies in Boston

No matter what type of event you’re looking to host, from fundraisers to board meetings to incentive trips or more, one of these companies will have you covered.

1. TravelPerk

TravelPerk is a best-in-class business travel platform that empowers travelers to connect with their colleagues in real life. With TravelPerk, booking, managing, and coordinating event travel is made easy.

TravelPerk customers also benefit from a comprehensive MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) service. An in-house team of event experts is available to help you with venue sourcing, booking management, timeline management, duty of care, and more.

Due to hybrid and remote working, we recognize that companies are increasingly eager to gather team members in person. Our close relationships with suppliers mean you’ll get the best deal, every time. You’ll also benefit from consolidated invoicing and payment, all on the TravelPerk platform. 

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Offices: Boston, Chicago, Miami, London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Berlin 

What event planning services does TravelPerk offer?

TravelPerk offers event management services to customers in the US, the UK, Spain, Germany, France, and other European countries. These may include:

• Group bookings
• Audio/visual effects
• Incentive programs
• Ground transportation
• Theming and production
• Project bookings
• Delegate registration
• And more!

We can be involved in your event as much or as little as you want, depending on your needs. Request a demo below!

2. Nxtevent

Nxtevent has over 20 years of experience hosting corporate events in the Boston area and beyond. As award-winning event planners and designers, they can help create everything from simple, elegant dinners to complex, unforgettable conferences. 

Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts

What type of events can you plan with Nxtevent? 

Nxtevent specializes in memorable live events, including conferences, evening excursions, teambuilding, and special events. 

What services does Nxtevent offer? 

• Invitation design and execution 
• Venue research
• Contract negotiation and management 
• Catering management
• Event decor
• Entertainment
• and more!

3. AE Events

AE Events is a premier Boston event coordination company that manages high-end, production-level events for clients. They focus on ensuring the event aligns with your brand throughout every detail, whether it’s a milestone celebration or an annual meeting.

Headquarters: Boston, MA 

What type of events can you plan with AE Events? 

They cover the whole spectrum, from conferences and meetings to non-profit events and galas, campaign launches and ceremonies and even virtual and hybrid events. 

What services does AE Events offer? 

• Concept and branding work 
• Strategic planning
• Contract negotiation 
• Vendor coordination
• Event production and design
• VIP luxury experiences
• Database management
• and more 

4. Castle Group

Castle Group is an event-management company in Boston that has worked with clients in dozens of industries from startups to Fortune 500 companies. They focus on four core elements: creativity, client-centricity, communications and connectivity. 

Headquarters: Boston, MA 

What type of events can you plan with Castle Group? 

They’ll handle anything from meetings to conferences, corporate incentive programs to special events, anniversary campaigns, product launches and non-profit galas. They can also manage hybrid and virtual events. 

What services does Castle Group offer? 

• Event production
• Event sustainability 
• Budget management 
• Event marketing
• Entertainment / leisure activity coordination
• Post-event analysis 
• Website design 
• and more! 

5. SYB Event Planning

This New England-based event planning company specializes in ensuring that your event flawlessly matches your brand and creates an exceptional experience for you and your guests. 

Headquarters: Boston, MA

What type of events can you plan with SYB Event Planning? 

They manage conferences, banquets, galas, receptions, client appreciation events, destination events and more. 

What services does SYB Event Planning offer? 

• Event design

• Catering and bar services
• On-brand events 
• Charity events
• Vendor relationships 
• Sponsorship management
• and more!

6. Corinthian Events

Corinthian Events is a full-service event company with 20+ years of experience specializing in high-touch, memorable events and experiences. They are also destination managers, allowing your guests to experience the fullness of a city during their visit. 

Headquarters: Boston, MA 

What type of events can you plan with Corinthian Events? 

They specialize in destination-focused events, special events, conferences, and meetings, but can also coordinate think tanks, festivals, symposiums, tradeshows and more. 

What services does Corinthian Events offer? 

• Venue selection and contract management
• Transportation logistics
• Airport Meet & Greet
• Hospitality and staffing
• Event design and production
• Speakers and headliners
• Guest communication 
• and more!

7. Rafanelli Events

Rafanelli Events works with organizations of all sizes, from Fortune 500 companies to non-profits, to create exceptional, world-class events that go above and beyond and showcase your brand and mission. 

Headquarters: Boston, MA

Other Offices: New York, NY, and Palm Beach, FL

What type of events can you plan with Rafanelli Events?  

They’ll manage events up to 15,000 attendees, including galas, fundraisers, award ceremonies, after-parties, incentive trips and more. They can also coordinate hybrid or virtual events. 

What services does Rafanelli Events offer? 

• Activities coordination
• Budget planning
• Entertainment
• On-site management
• Meeting planning
• Itineraries and timelines
• Transportation 
• and more!

The bottom line

Whether you’re planning an annual board meeting or an evening gala, hosting 10,000 attendees for a conference or inviting just your 20-person executive team, having an events management company on your side makes it much easier to have a successful event.

If you’re looking for a trustworthy partner for your next event, TravelPerk is here for companies of all shapes and sizes. Our all-in-one corporate travel management platform enables you to organize company events that bring everyone together, for a fraction of the cost. 

Say goodbye to messy spreadsheets and long email chains, and say hello to managing your attendees, venues, scheduling, travel plans and more in one user-friendly hub. 

The post The 7 best corporate event management companies in Boston appeared first on TravelPerk.

Yep, it’s almost that time of year again! Mariah Carey is defrosting as we speak, Santa and his elves are pulling doubles in their winter wonderland, and you’re trying to remember where you’ve put your Christmas sweater. 

This year UK businesses are set to spend an average of £58 per employee on their festive celebrations. Depending on the size of your organization this can quickly rack up and if you’re in charge of planning your office’s holiday party it can feel like a seemingly insurmountable task! Between choosing the right venue, stocking up on enough drinks, finding a DJ that doesn’t suck, and making sure that everything is done on time, it can be quite daunting.

But don’t worry, TravelPerk’s got your back. It’s a merry season after all, and we decided to share our secret recipe for throwing parties everyone will love. 

Why you (and everyone) should be psyched about this party

For fear of stating the obvious, let’s not get into how office parties are great for team building, morale, and bringing employees closer together. They've always been one of the perks employees look forward to the most. 

While the way we work may have changed, one thing remains the same. Whether you're in New York or New Orleans, employees want to get together in real life and revel in some holiday cheer! A Christmas party is the perfect chance to get off Zoom and bond as a team. Letting off some steam and celebrating a year of hard work will get everyone in the right frame of mind to take their goals to the next level in the new year . In an increasingly hybrid working world, events like these are also an important opportunity to immerse employees in your company culture and remind them why your organization is a great place to be!

TravelPerk’s secret recipe for company holiday parties everyone loves

One of the first things we hear as newbies at TravelPerk is “You won’t believe what went down at last year’s holiday party”. And everyone has a different story to tell. A huge part of our company culture is this drive and desire to get together in person, whether that’s for professional meetings, casual drinks with our colleagues, weekly all-hands, or a seasonal bash.  

So, what’s our secret recipe? We caught up with Miriam, our Events Manager, to get the inside scoop on how to make your next company party a roaring success. You won't even need to hire a party planner! Here are her tips:

1. Party planning is not a last-minute affair 

The holiday season is extremely busy for corporate events, and event spaces tend to get booked up fast (especially the good ones). Getting a jump on all the other companies' planning parties is a must. But early planning is about more than just getting the right venue. There are a lot of moving parts when in event planning, and it’s important to have all your ducks in a row well in advance so you can get to everything.

2. There’s no such thing as over-communication

Don’t be shy! Repeat yourself as many times as you need so that your message really sinks in. Employees tend to be extremely busy towards the end of the year, so a lot of the time, the information you share can be overlooked. It’s also really important to have a place where all the details are available for everyone to consult at any time. At TravelPerk, we use Notion as a centralized hub for information of this kind. We also open up relevant Slack channels for each event and have a dedicated email address so people can ask questions when they need to.

3. Involve your community in planning the event

This is one of our key pillars at TravelPerk. You’re building events for your community, so let them be part of the organization and involve them in your decision-making process (where possible, of course). Let them share their holiday party ideas, tell you what activities they want to participate in, when they’d like the party to take place, or even what goodies people might find cool. This time around, we got the whole company to vote on a theme. 

4. The way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach

… And that’s not a joke. Whether you opt for funky food trucks, a swanky sit down meal, or a DIY potluck, food is one of the most important things attendees will remember after the party is over. Seriously. This year, we selected a few people to attend a tasting session and pick the best menu available. It was a really fun appetizer for the main event with people from across our different teams. It ended up being a great opportunity for them to mingle and get to know each other—not to mention, try some really delicious food. We are based in Spain, after all. 

It's also important to make sure your menu doesn't leave anyone hungry! Ensuring you cater to different dietary requirements is another way to make your employees feel cared for and appreciated. A quick email survey can get you up to speed on your team's requirements.

5. Create opportunities for people to interact

Yes, that is just a fancy way of saying organize group activities. The whole point of events like these is for people to step outside of their usual, day-to-day range of interaction. We want them to meet new people, build new relationships, and create positive memories with their colleagues. A surefire way to do that is through a few short icebreaker party games. People will let their guard down and meet people they might not normally have the chance to work with. 

6. Let your budget guide you 

OK, so it’s really easy to get carried away. Event planners who tell you otherwise are lying. You want to organize the best corporate holiday party for everyone, and it’s very tempting to go crazy and let yourself be carried away by all the incredible options available on the market. But establishing a clear event budget and sticking to it is essential. It’s going to act as your guiding compass to building the right kind of party for your company. It will show you what you can do, and set limits to what you can’t.

7. Factor in feedback

Let's face it: hosting holiday parties is a costly undertaking! While there are tonnes of benefits to getting everyone together, you will only truly reap these if employees have a good time! As we have already discussed, there's zero point in planning to dance the night away if your teams would prefer a delicious, high-end dinner. 

But as we all know, even the best-laid plans sometimes fall short. Be bold and follow up after the festivities with a post-party poll. Ask for feedback on what went well and what didn't so you can make the following year's fiesta even more memorable.

8. Don’t miss out on discounts

If your party plans require your teams to hit the road, you should take advantage of various corporate group travel discounts. From reduced hotel room rates to deals on airfares and ground transportation, if you are moving multiple team members, it might be time to call in the experts. 

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) specialists can help you save time and money when planning corporate events. For example, the team at TravelPerk can help you access the industry's best rates for travel and accommodation arrangements and assist with sourcing suitable venues for your shindig.  

9. Be a Monica when it comes to scheduling

Remember Monica Geller’s mental checklist from Friends? Yeah. Do that. Only write it down. Keep a detailed schedule of the party, with everything that will happen clearly outlined at every step of the event. Not sure where to start? Our 19 step corporate event checklist breaks down everything you need to ensure your holiday event is a roaring success!

Things can go wrong all the time, so don’t leave any issues open and get ready for unexpected things to crop up. Always have a plan B or some kind of contingency plan for things that can go wrong. 

10. People love pictures and videos

Skip the photo booth and hire a photographer and/or a videographer, budget permitting. People love to look back on events like these and remember the fun they had! Oftentimes, they’re too busy enjoying themselves to take their own photos, and even if they do, there’s nothing more fun than seeing candid photos of yourself taken by other people! Not to mention this will help further reinforce your company culture.

11. Last but not least… rely on your team

Ask for help when you need it! It feels like we’re stating the obvious here, but people don’t always do that. Planning an event is a lot of work with many obstacles on the way, and you do not need to do everything alone. Rely on your team to help you. No one is an island!

The post 11 Tips to plan an unforgettable office holiday party appeared first on TravelPerk.

Lithuania is a cultural jewel in the heart of the Baltic region in Europe. The Lithuanian Song and Dance Festival, which is recognized by UNESCO, is one of the most unique cultural travel experiences you can get in the world. Similarly, you can also get a glimpse of the rich history of Lithuania by exploring the remnants of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

As a country, Lithuania balances its old-world charm and modern vibrancy quite well. It’s most beautifully visible in Vilnius where you get a blend of modern skylines coexisting alongside ancient historic streets. If you’re visiting Lithuania for the famous Rasa festival or a corporate tour through the Baltic states, your trip will never be boring when you book it with these five best online tour operators in Lithuania.

Let’s go!

Best online travel agency for business travel

1. TravelPerk: the one agency for all your business travel needs

TravelPerk is a modern solution for modern corporate travel. Its easy-to-use online booking tool is a refreshing change from the clunky UI often associated with business travel. TravelPerk enables you to make flexible bookings for employees, and even offers the option to offset your carbon footprint. 

This platform is more than just an OTA, it’s a comprehensive corporate travel management tool that helps your team book, manage, and report on business travel. TravelPerk ensures employees are traveling stress-free on the cheapest flights available, at no sacrifice to experience.

Main offerings and features: 

• Extensive inventory of travel services
• Flexible booking with FlexiPerk
• Safety alerts with TravelCare
• Integrated travel policy & approval flows
• Centralized invoicing
• Easy & real-time expense reports
• Carbon offsetting with GreenPerk
• 24/7 customer support with a 15s target
• VAT reclaim
• Integration with 3rd party tools, such as expense management or HR software like Expensify and BambooHR

TravelPerk gives employees access to the information and the security they need to travel with peace of mind. It gives organizations and travel managers access to the best corporate travel rates that you won’t find on the market.

Best online travel agencies for leisure travel

2. Novaturas: personalized holiday bookings

If you like traveling with pre-booked and personalized holidays, Novaturas can help you. Just by answering a few queries on their website, you can get a complete travel itinerary curated by travel experts available for booking. This helps you save time and create special holidays for the important moments of your life.

As a travel agency with over 25 years of experience in the industry, they can help you book holidays at over 30 destinations on over 100 sightseeing routes across the three Baltic countries, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. Whether you’re looking for ski trips, family vacations, or adventure travel, you can book it all with Novaturas.

Main offering and features:

• Offers personalized holiday itineraries including flights and accommodation
• Book your stay anywhere at over 30 destinations across the Baltic states
• Wide variety of trip booking options for everyone from solo travelers to small groups
• Offers Lithuanian-speaking representatives abroad

3. West Express: the leaders of self-guided travel in Lithuania

West Express is a leading Lithuania travel agency adept at providing both business and leisure trips. They take pride in providing responsibly prepared and tested travel routes for a seamless travel service for its customers. West Express aims to develop and deploy the latest tourism technologies into their services to become the top providers for different destinations like Spain, Poland, and even Germany.

Sometimes self-guided tour packages aren’t enough for travel enthusiasts, West Express understands that. So, they made incentives like travel gift vouchers available for customers who want to share the joy of traveling with their friends and family.

Main offering and features:

• Travel gift vouchers available
• Last-minute economic and luxury holiday bookings available
• Option to book plane tickets, cruises, and exotic trips from their website
• Discounted rates when booking all-inclusive tours

4. Lithuanian Tours: tour operator for Christmas tours to Lithuania

Lithuanian Tours are seasoned travel experts who help you book the best seasonal holidays to exotic locations like Tallinn and Riga and other cities across Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. As an experienced travel agency, they understand the pain points of travelers and curate their services to help their customers in the best way they can. This includes ensuring each booking also has the option for airport and hotel transfers in Baltic capitals that suit their style and budget.

Each booking also comes with knowledgeable and professional multilingual local guides experienced in both English and local languages. You also get a chance to enjoy the best of Lithuanian food from the top restaurants in the country. You also get access to cultural shows and performances by popular folk singers to make your travel experience as authentic and enjoyable as possible.

Main offering and features:

• Offers special Christmas tours to Lithuania
• Airport and hotel transfers available for booking
• English-speaking multilingual local guides available
• Access to cultural festivals in Lithuania with your booking
• Holiday bookings available across all Baltic countries

5. Travel Addicts Club: the travel agency of choice for group trips

Travel Addicts Club is best suited for, you guessed it, travel addicts! They offer an incredible amount of variety in terms of the tours and holiday types they offer. From Kaunas day trips to the various iconic destinations in Lithuania to walking holidays, self-drive exploration trips, and group tours for travel groups—they offer it all. Each of their holidays is meticulously curated by travel experts and providers to make them exciting and achievable for all travelers.

If you want to explore the Baltics in luxury, you can do that too with Travel Addicts Club as they offer private tours that offer the best sightseeing and travel experience in Lithuania. Each tour booking has a clearly mentioned list of inclusions, exclusions, and options to ensure you always know exactly what you are paying for when you book a trip with Travel Addicts Club.

Main offering and features:

• Wide variety of tour types available for booking
• Offers specialized group trip bookings
• Airport transfers available to book as optional extras with every booking
• English-speaking local guide available for all bookings
• Only two people are required for private tour bookings

Experience the Baltic states in its glory with these Lithuania tour operators

As a country, Lithuania offers an extensive range of travel opportunities for both leisure and business travelers making it the perfect destination for your next holiday. So, what are you waiting for? Book your holiday to Lithuania and the Baltic countries with these travel companies, today! 
While you are at it, if you are visiting Lithuania for business, you can choose to book your holiday with TravelPerk. They offer helpful corporate and business travel features that make traveling easier, quicker, and more sustainable. Features like FlexiPerk allow you to cancel bookings anytime with an 80% refund, making business travel more affordable and hassle-free.

The post The 5 best online travel agencies in Lithuania appeared first on TravelPerk.

If you're part of the events industry, you're no stranger to the intricate process of orchestrating a company-wide event—a journey that can bring a few headaches along the way. Your to-do list probably includes: sending out invitations, curating decorations, choosing the perfect venue, crafting a well-planned schedule, and overseeing social media and marketing efforts; there's no shortage of tasks to ensure the success of your event.

The future landscape of business events is expected to reach a staggering value of up to €1.2 billion by 2032. With its economic potential, business-friendly environment, and remarkable connectivity, it's no wonder that Dublin consistently ranks among the top cities for conducting business. 

The booming business hub stands as the second-best city to invest in post-pandemic Europe. So, bringing your next corporate event to this Irish city guarantees an exceptional experience for all the right reasons.

If you're on the lookout for event management companies in Dublin to help you brainstorm, organise, and execute unforgettable corporate experiences, your search ends here—these are our top recommendations.

1. TravelPerk: for the best travel organisation for corporate events

TravelPerk is a best-in-class business travel platform that empowers travellers to connect with their colleagues in real life. With TravelPerk, booking, managing, and coordinating event travel is made easy.

TravelPerk customers also benefit from a comprehensive MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) service. An in-house team of event experts is available to help you with venue sourcing, booking management, timeline management, duty of care, and more.

Due to hybrid and remote working, we recognise that companies are increasingly eager to gather team members in person. Our close relationships with suppliers mean you’ll get the best deal, every time. You’ll also benefit from consolidated invoicing and payment, all on the TravelPerk platform. 

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Offices: London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Berlin, Chicago, Boston, Miami

What event planning services does TravelPerk offer?

TravelPerk offers event management services to customers in the US, the UK, Spain, Germany, France, and other European countries. These may include:

• Group bookings
• Audio/visual effects
• Incentive programs
• Ground transportation
• Theming and production
• Project bookings
• Delegate registration
• And more!

We can be involved in your event as much or as little as you want, depending on your needs. Request a demo below.

2. Davis Events: corporate events for all kinds of businesses

Davis Events Agency boasts a distinguished track record of collaborating with renowned clients such as Google, Pfizer, and Gilead, consistently delivering remarkable experiences for their staff and collaborators. This Irish-owned event management firm is also known for crafting themed events and brand activations.

Headquarters: Dublin

Offices: Cork, London, Austin

What type of events do they plan? 

• Brand activations
• Corporate conferences
• Christmas events and other holiday gatherings

What services do they offer? 

• Event management
• Event planning
• Brand activations

3. Verve: for live and hybrid corporate events

Verve is a full-service event management company with more than 30 years of experience. They not only do live events but they also do virtual and hybrid events so everyone can join the party. Their ethos is to show each brand’s human side, enabling brands to authentically connect with their customers and partners.

Headquarters: Dublin

Offices: London, Amsterdam

What type of events do they plan? 

• Sponsorship activations
• Brand experiences
• Virtual and hybrid events

What services do they offer? 

• Event management
• Design and branding
• Social media and digital marketing

4. RAW Marketing & Events: for corporate event management

RAW Marketing & Events is a Dublin-based full-service marking activation and event management company. They have years of experience and have worked with recognised brands like Schweppes, Irish Life Health, and Aloft Dublin City, creating unique events that showcase every company’s brand and vision.

Headquarters: Dublin

What type of events do they plan?

• Experiential marketing events
• Corporate experiences
• Brand activations

What services do they offer?

• Conference management
• Event planning
• Vendor and provider sourcing

5. Grooveyard: for virtual events and conference management

Grooveyard started in Dublin in 2000, and have now offices in Galway, and London, England. Their team specialises in virtual event coordination and conference management. They’re also known for their flexible approach to event planning and award-winning client-centric focus. 

Headquarters: Dublin

Offices: Galway, London

What type of events do they plan? 

• Virtual events
• Creative events
• Experiential campaigns

What services do they offer? 

• Experiential marketing events
• Conference management
• Product launch coordination

6. Safe Events: for event planning with safety in mind

Safe Events, previously known as Cuckoo, stands out as a comprehensive event management firm located in Dublin, Ireland. They are experts in curating tailor-made, secure, and accessible events held in distinctive venues and locations. They’ve worked for a variety of notable clients, including Cricket Ireland, The Irish Maritime Festival, Kerrygold, and others.

Headquarters: Dublin

What type of events do they plan? 

• Family fun days
• Indoor and outdoor exhibitions
• Large-scale conferences

What services do they offer? 

• Event planning
• Event management
• Safety consultations

7. Hopkins Communications: for event management and full-service marketing

Hopkins Communications is a fully integrated marketing communications agency that offers stellar event management services. They have more than three decades of experience and although they are headquartered in Cork they also have offices in Dublin and Limerick. Some of their best-known clients include brands like Munster Rugby, Skechers, and Jagermeister.

Headquarters: Cork

Offices: Dublin, Limerick

What type of events do they plan? 

• Live, virtual, and hybrid events
• Product launches
• Conferences

What services do they offer? 

• Advertising services
• Videography
• Graphic design

Ready to plan your next unique event in Dublin?

Choosing an event management company for your event in Dublin is an investment in more than just your gathering—it’s an investment in your peace of mind.
If you’re looking for a helping hand, consider working with TravelPerk. Their experienced team creates opportunities for companies of all sizes and in all industries. The best corporate events bring teams together and enable businesses to succeed—and that’s exactly what TravelPerk can help you with. Say goodbye to stress and spreadsheets, manage attendees, locations, scheduling, and everyone’s travel plans all in one place.

The post The 7 best event management companies in Dublin appeared first on TravelPerk.