Freelance meeting and conference planner
Plan and run business meetings, away days and small conferences for companies, working from your own home office.
- £300-2k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
6,379 UK companies in this field, 43% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 82302 “Activities of conference organisers”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
You organise corporate meetings, training days and small conferences from start to finish: finding venues, booking catering, managing guest lists, arranging equipment and running the day itself. Most planning is done by phone and email from home, with site visits on event days.
Your first three steps
- Write a simple price list for three packages, such as a half-day meeting, a full-day conference and an away day
- Build a short list of reliable local venues, caterers and AV suppliers and ask about trade rates
- Contact local businesses, business networks and chambers of commerce to offer to plan their next event
Who pays
Small and medium-sized businesses, charities, professional associations and public sector teams that don't have their own events staff.
How it makes money
A fixed project fee or a day rate, sometimes a percentage of the event budget. Some planners also earn commission from venues, which should be disclosed to clients.
Skills that help
- Highly organised with fine detail
- Negotiating with venues and suppliers
- Calm problem-solving under pressure
- Clear communication with clients
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and check whether you need cover for event cancellation or professional indemnity
- Check your contract terms for deposits and cancellations, as you may be committed to supplier payments
- Venues and caterers hold their own licences, but check who is responsible for alcohol, music or food on the day
- Check whether your lease or mortgage allows you to run a business from home
- Register as a sole trader with HMRC, and check if you need to handle client money separately
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: freelance meeting and conference planner
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start as a freelance meeting planner?
Startup costs are typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on your equipment, insurance and how you set up your home office. These are estimates. Check your contract terms for deposits, as you may be committed to supplier payments.
How much can a freelance conference planner earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on how many events and clients you take on. These are estimates, and income can vary with the number of events you run each month.
What should I check before becoming an event planner?
Check you have public liability insurance, and whether you need event cancellation or professional indemnity cover. Check who is responsible for alcohol, music or food on the day, whether your lease or mortgage allows home business, and register as a sole trader with HMRC.
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Photo: crystal710 on Pixabay