Corporate event management company
Run conferences, launches and company events for local businesses, with a small team and freelance help.
- $2k-10k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
6,270 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.0% in a year
NAICS 561920 “Convention and trade show organizers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small company that handles whole business events: conferences, product launches, client dinners and staff days. You manage budgets, venues, suppliers, registration and on-site delivery, and hire freelancers for busy days.
Your first three steps
- Form an LLC with your state, get an EIN from the IRS and open a business bank account
- Build a short portfolio or case study from past work and approach 10 local businesses or associations with a clear offer
- Line up a small bench of freelancers, such as AV techs, registration staff and a caterer, and agree their rates in advance
Who pays
Companies, trade associations, nonprofits and local government bodies that run regular events and prefer to outsource them.
How it makes money
Project fees or a management fee on top of event costs, and sometimes monthly retainers for clients with a series of events.
Skills that help
- Project and budget management
- Selling to business clients
- Managing freelancers and vendors
- Problem solving on the day
Watch out for
- General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire staff; ask your insurer whether event cancellation cover makes sense
- Check whether venues, alcohol service or street closures need permits, which vary by city and county
- Contracts should be clear on deposits, cancellations and who is liable for vendor no-shows
- Large clients can pay slowly, so plan your cash flow and consider taking deposits
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: corporate event management company
Researched with live web search for United States: 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 a corporate event company?
Estimates typically run around $2,000 to $10,000 to start, depending on your insurance, equipment, marketing and how much freelance help you line up. Treat this as an estimate and price your own setup before committing.
How much can an event management company earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many events you run, client size and your team. Large clients can pay slowly, so plan your cash flow and consider taking deposits.
What permits and insurance should I check for event management?
Things to check: general liability insurance, workers' compensation once you hire staff, and whether event cancellation cover makes sense. Also check whether venues, alcohol service or street closures need permits, which vary by city and county.
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