9 event planning websites and resources to bookmark today

Planning events is no easy feat, but keeping up to date with ever-changing industry trends can be tricky for even the best event planners in the biz.

If you want to be at the top of your game and create events that truly make an impression, it’s important to know what’s in, what’s out, and what the latest best practices and technologies for event planners are. And the good news is that there are tons of great resources online to help you do exactly that.

Whether you’re a corporate event planner, an event marketing professional, an event designer, or a technical director, here are nine of the best event planning resources and event planning websites to help you stay up to date on industry trends and industry news.

Boldpush

Every event planner can benefit from subscribing to Julius Solaris’ free weekly Boldpush newsletter. As one of the most influential people in the business, Solaris shares valuable insights into everything that’s relevant and noteworthy in the industry, helping event professionals of all levels improve upon their event planning processes.  

Check out Solaris’ LinkedIn page as well — his posts, videos, and infographics are enlightening.

BizBash

‍BizBash is one of the most valuable resources for event planners around the world. At BizBash, you can learn top tips and industry insights into production, strategy, catering, design, technology, experiential event marketing and advertising, and more.

For those planning virtual, in-person, or hybrid events, BizBash showcases the best events from around the world. Bookmark the website and visit it regularly for always-fresh insights into how to overcome the challenges that come with planning high-end events.

Event Industry News

‍Event Industry News is essential for staying abreast of the latest developments in the events sector. Their news coverage spans conferences, exhibitions, festivals, concerts, and corporate events, offering valuable content for event planners across every specialty.

They also host the popular Event Industry News Podcast, where industry leaders share insights and talk about their experiences. For those who want to learn more about event technology, their Event Tech Live conference showcases cutting-edge solutions for enhancing the guest experience and streamlining how you plan.

IACC Venue Finder

With IACC venue finder, you can discover event spaces filtered by size, location, and even Wi-Fi bandwidth — an important consideration for large gatherings that you want to go viral and corporate events where you can be sure everyone will be on their mobile devices.

IACC venues are located around the world. Event organizers can use the search feature to find everything from hotels to conference centers to historic landmarks that can host hundreds of guests. 

When planning special events with a focus on sustainability, search Green Star Certified venues ranked by platinum tier, gold tier, and silver tier rankings to identify the “greenest” venues around the world.

More venue resources 

Here are a few more venue-finding resources worth bookmarking:

• Peerspace: An online marketplace where you can find hundreds of unique, distinctive event venues in hundreds of different cities for any type of gathering — from trade shows and corporate events to non-profit fundraising galas and extravagant parties.
• Venue Report: Discover unique art galleries, wineries, barns, banquet halls, and other premium event spaces around the world at Venue Report.
• Lime Venue Portfolio: One of the best venue locators in the United Kingdom, Lime Venue Portfolio is the go-to for event planners across the UK and Ireland.  
• Unique Venues of London: Visit Unique Venues of London to locate landmarks, museums, and outdoor spaces for small and large events.

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The Meeting Pool

The Meeting Pool blog focuses on the meeting-planning community and event technology. It’s a great resource to learn about apps, business, social media, and event technologies.

A useful tool for those who plan hybrid or fully online events, The Meeting Pool blog helps you stay abreast of best practices and essential tech updates that can help your event run more smoothly while improving the guest experience.

The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)

The PCMA is an excellent resource for top event planning services in the business events industry. Through the PCMA, you can connect with other business events professionals and learn about sustainable practices — such as how to minimize event waste and plan events with the circular economy in mind. 

If you prefer listening to podcasts to reading articles online, check out the PCMA Convene Podcast to learn what thought leaders in the industry have to say about the future of events.

Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

‍Meeting Professionals International is the largest international events association in the world, and it’s a great educational resource for all event planners — especially those who are new to the events industry.

If you need to hire an impressive or entertaining key speaker for your next event, the MPI Find a Speaker Database makes it simple to find the right person for your next in-person or virtual event. 

If you want to find a mentor or discover new vendors, MPI promotes industry networking with local chapters throughout the United States.

International Live Events Association (ILEA)

Bookmark the International Live Events Association website to connect with industry leaders and stay abreast of event industry trends around the world. 

A global community of creative thought leaders, the ILEA also has a library of informative webinars where members can learn everything from how much to charge for an event to how to inspire your team to be more creative.  

More professional networks to visit 

Depending on the type of events you specialize in, check out the websites or blogs of these professional networks for more insights and education:

• International Congress and Convention Association: If you plan international association and governmental meetings, the ICCA offers networking opportunities and tools to help you plan more successful events and meetings.
• Events Industry Council: The Events Industry Council is a global federation that sets the standards for the business events industry.
• Association for Event Professionals International: Whether you plan corporate events, trade shows, or luxurious galas, the AEPI is dedicated to promoting and educating event professionals around the world.

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zkipster

Bookmark the zkipster blog to stay on top of industry trends, plan award-winning events, elevate your event designs, and elevate the guest experience.

zkipster is the premier event management software solution for event professionals. Some of the many features of our event management platform include:

• Improved event registration
• Guest list management
• Online RSVP management
• Floor plan and seating chart creation
• Event-level and account-level reporting
• Streamlined check-in process with QR codes
• Barcode scanning for self-check-in

On the zkipster blog you’ll find articles and planning guides for a variety of trending topics, such as how to plan luxury events and elegant galas, how to increase RSVP response rates, and how to protect your guests with a safety plan.  

The events industry is always evolving, and with so many competitors in the space, it’s more important than ever to stay ahead of trends.

Hoping to discover unique event venues? Searching for tips to help you increase or decrease ticket pricing? Eager to learn about the latest event tech?

Reading industry blogs, subscribing to professional networks, and bookmarking these essential websites will help you stay at the top of your game and take both your events and your career to the next level.