Bookmark These Top 30 Websites for Event Planners
We’ve compiled a list of websites for event planners so some of the hardest-working professionals can complete every task on their list. Ready to dive straight in? Browse the list or skip through the table of contents:
Table of Contents
- News Websites and Blogs for Event Planners
- Websites for Event Industry Memberships, Certificates, and Certifications
- Websites for Finding Event Venue
- Websites for Researching Event Technology
- Get Started: Bookmark the Best Event Planning Websites
News Websites and Blogs for Event Planners
1. Skift Meetings (formerly EventMB)
Formerly known as EventMB, Skift Meetings was founded in 2007 as one of the first blogs for event professionals. The site offers daily articles, industry reports, webinars, and more. Over the last three years, Skift Meetings has hosted more than 80,000 attendees at 26 webinars and events, published 27 reports, written more than 500 articles, and more. If you’re not subscribed to this blog’s updates, now is the time!
2. Event Industry News
An online magazine delivering the latest event industry news, Event Industry News (EIN) is a go-to source for event organizers across industries edited by the one and only Adam Parry. You can subscribe to EIN and get fresh updates in your inbox as it happens.
3. Techsytalk
Techsytalk is a digital platform with more than 550 members that bridges the gap between event technology and the event planner. Powered by Liz King Events, Techsytalk features articles, educational opportunities, The Event Hustler Show, and more.
4. Events Industry Council (EIC)
The Events Industry Council is one of the leading sources for news, educational opportunities, research, industry standards and best practices, sustainability best practices, and much more for event organizers. The EIC has more than 30 member organizations representing more than 100,000 organizers and 19,500 firms and properties involved in the events industry. Perhaps most notably, the EIC promotes Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) programs and credentials.
5. BizBash
Founded in 2000, BizBash creates print and digital publications, hosts events, and provides resources for corporate event and meeting professionals, event marketers, and executives. BizBash offers the latest event news, searchable vendor directories, photos of past events, archived magazine issues, a job board for special event-oriented employment opportunities, and a subscription-based online calendar of events.
6. PCMA
PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) is a nonprofit organization serving the business events industry. PCMA provides education, research, and networking opportunities to its members, who include event professionals, hospitality industry professionals, and business event suppliers. PCMA offers endless news and articles; educational opportunities and resources; scholarships and opportunities; webinars and events; an annual conference; and more.
7. Corporate Event News
Corporate Event News caters to senior-level corporate event professionals and provides the latest industry information, tools, and solutions. Published by the parent company to Trade Show News Network (TSNN.com), Corporate Event News offers venue news, event marketing insights, tips on vendor sourcing, content creation, upskilling, and more. The site features a hub of articles, interviews, blog articles, and weekly e-news to help corporate event professionals stay on top of their game.
8. Meetings Today
Meetings Today offers monthly print and digital publications, industry news, blog posts, webinars, videos, podcasts, books, and educational resources for meeting and event planners. The topics covered include meetings industry trends, destination spotlights, food and beverage trends, contract negotiation tips, and site selection best practices. Meetings Today is available in both print and digital forms, and they also offer a range of newsletter options.
9. MeetingsNet
One of the meeting industry’s leading resources for news, MeetingsNet publishes an interactive magazine and several newsletters tailored to the industry. MeetingsNet also offers niche meeting categories so organizers can zero in on their category:
- Association Conventions & Expos
- Corporate Meetings & Events
- Medical & Pharma Meetings
- Association Conventions & Expos
10. Business Travel News
BTN Group provides news, research, and data to 65,000+ corporate travel managers, buyers, and meeting professionals. Business Travel News publishes several newsletters and magazines, including Travel Procurement, BTN Global, and BTN Daily. BTN Group also hosts more than 35 conferences and events annually and up to three monthly webinars.
11. Event Tech Live
Event Tech Live’s mission is to connect global event professionals with the latest advances in event tech while promoting thought leadership and gathering the event community 365 days per year. ETL is entering its 10th-anniversary year with the launch of ETL Las Vegas in April 2023. Stay involved and up-to-date with the latest in event tech by joining the ETL community.
12. The Bizzabo Blog
We might be partial, but we think the Bizzabo blog is worth your subscription. Our blog features fresh weekly content on event orchestration, marketing, technology, data and analytics, thought leadership, and more. You can also find the Event Experience Podcast, ebooks, tools, kits, and more on the Bizzabo resource center. Want to get biweekly blog and resource updates in your inbox? Subscribe now!
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
13. Plannerwire
Plannerwire is a top meetings and events industry resource providing original articles, interviews, and news to help event leaders navigate trends and technology to deliver better member and attendee experiences. They also work with associations and nonprofits, offering services including technology evaluations and staffing solutions, live webinars and on-location workshops, and website and plugin creation.
14. HubSpot
HubSpot is a marketing automation platform that boasts extensive resources and lots of tools for marketing your event. HubSpot has a blog, digital courses, research and reports, and certification classes taught by subject matter experts in the HubSpot Academy. If you’re curious to try out their marketing platform, you’ll be happy to know that most of their basic packages for services are free.
15. Event Marketer
Event Marketer magazine was founded in 2002 and publishes content for the event and trade show industry. Event Marketer offers a host of industry content, including a flagship magazine, biweekly newsletter, and executive conferences and awards (e.g., Experiential Marketing Summit, Ex Awards, and Experience Design & Technology awards). Event Marketer also hosts events such as Experiential Marketing Training Camp and Women in Events Week.
16. Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA)
The mission of Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA, powered by PCMA) is to advance event marketing by promoting professional networking, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership. CEMA provides a platform for senior-level event marketing professionals to connect, exchange knowledge, and receive education. With over 500 active members, CEMA is a thriving community.
Websites for Event Industry Certificates and Certifications
17. PCMA Courses & Certifications
PCMA offers numerous courses and certifications to help event organizers level up and take the reins on their careers. Here’s just a sampling of the courses offered: Digital Event Strategist Certification, Event Data Strategy Certificate, Event Accessibility Certificate, Hybrid Event Production Certificate, and more.
18. Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
Launched in 1985, the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program lets meeting professionals upskill, creates status and credibility for the profession, and creates uniform standards of practice. Supported by the Events Industry Council, the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification program is recognized globally as one of the top marks of excellence in the events industry.
19. ILEA’s Certified Special Events Professional
The International Live Events Association (ILEA) created the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation in 1993 to identify and recognize event professionals with the knowledge, skills, and ability to execute special events. In 2019, the ILEA Board of Governors worked with the CSEP Certification Committee to review and enhance the CSEP program. Today, CSEP features an enhanced test-taking system, revised exam, and global availability.
20. National Association for Catering and Events (NACE)
The National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) offers a nationally recognized Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) designation. To help organizers fast-track their careers with a competitive edge, this recognition covers eight key competencies: accounting, beverage management, catering services, contracts and agreements, food production, event management, human resources, and sales and marketing.
21. Meeting Professionals International (MPI)
As the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has been providing innovative and relevant education, networking opportunities, and business exchanges for more than 50 years! MPI has a global community of 60,000 professionals, 70 chapters and clubs, and members in more than 70 countries.
MPI offers countless courses and certificates for event professionals, including Event DEI Strategist Certificate, Event Marketing Strategist, Event Design Certificate, Emergency Preparedness for Events, and more.
22. Certified in Exhibition Management® (CEM) Learning Program
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ offers the Certified in Exhibition Management® (CEM) designation. This globally recognized designation was first created in 1975 to raise professional standards in the events industry and continues to represent the highest professional standard throughout the exhibitions and events management arena. The course takes place online and is open to event professionals in a variety of countries.
Find more information on event planning certificates and certifications in this blog article: “Top 12 Event Planning Certifications You Need To Propel Your Career”
Websites for Finding Event Venues
23. The Vendry
The Vendry offers a digital marketplace and professional community for event industry professionals. Members gain access to The Vendry RFP tool for free, which assists organizers in sourcing venues and vendors for their events. Additionally, members gain access to an exclusive jobs board, discussion forums, networking opportunities, and other valuable resources that enable them to stay informed about industry news and find inspiration for their events.
24. Splacer
Splacer focuses on helping event planners find unique and creative locations. They offer search options for major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles but keep their selections heavily curated. Their event venue types include productions, experiential brand activations, corporate parties, meetings, photo shoots, pop-ups, and conferences.
25. EventUp
A unique feature of EventUp that you won’t find on these other websites is the ability to instantly chat with venues through the platform. This is especially helpful for saving time playing email or phone tag. Their filters and direct booking tools are also useful.
Photo by Teemu Paananen on Unsplash
26. HeadBox
HeadBox is based in the UK and exclusively features venues in this area. Its listings showcase a wide variety of budget and high-end offerings. HeadBox accepts payments for booking through the platform through various payment options.
27. Peerspace
Like the name implies, Peerspace comprises venues offered by local hosts. The site facilitates the entire booking process, and the venues include a personal touch from the real individuals who own and manage them.
Websites for Researching Event Technology
28. G2
G2 is the most extensive and reliable software marketplace, assisting 80 million individuals annually in making smarter software decisions through genuine peer reviews. Read real reviews from your peers to give you a better sense of what software might be a great match for your event strategy and use the product comparison feature to assess your top competitors.
29. Capterra
Capterra is the top platform for finding suitable software and services for your organization. The Capterra marketplace features more than 90,000 solutions across 1,300 software types and 50,000+ service providers, providing access to over 2 million verified reviews. Explore event software, compare competitors, and find the best event management software for your event portfolio.
30. GetApp
GetApp, a Gartner company, helps event planners learn about and select the apps they want to use for their event strategy. GetApp delivers tailored, data-driven recommendations with key insights to help event organizers make informed software purchasing decisions
Get Started: Bookmark the Best Event Planning Websites
The websites we’ve selected all share some key characteristics for event success. Be sure to create a special bookmark folder with all of these websites plus any that you rely on that we may have missed.
Speaking of, if you see a website missing from our list? Email us at [email protected], and we’ll consider adding your favorite website to our list.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and relevance.
