Corporate event management business

Small and medium businesses, charities, associations and the marketing or HR teams of larger firms.

Project management fees or a mark-up on supplier costs, sometimes with a retainer for companies that run regular events.

• Project management and tight deadlines
• Supplier negotiation and budgeting
• Confident sales and networking
• Problem solving on the day

• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability insurance once you hire staff; consider event cancellation cover
• Contracts and deposits, so you are not left paying suppliers if a client cancels
• Check whether venues, alcohol, music or street use need licences, usually through the venue or your local council
• Health and safety and risk assessments for larger events
• Long sales cycles, so it can take months to win the first corporate clients
• Check when VAT registration applies as your turnover grows

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how you set up and which insurance and suppliers you need. Public liability insurance is worth checking, and you may want to consider event cancellation cover.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on the number and size of events you win. Long sales cycles are common, so it can take months to win your first corporate clients.

Check whether venues, alcohol, music or street use need licences, usually through the venue or your local council. Also check health and safety and risk assessments for larger events, and when VAT registration applies as your turnover grows.