Next on the Most Loved Websites Series are three tools that all streamline the event planning process. These sites are so high-level, they’re frequented among clients and planners alike.
BizBash
BizBash is an all-time favorite in the events community. Meeting and event professionals turn to the site to read up on current trends, strategy, production, and programming. But party hosts will find this site just as useful for event planning tools as well established names in the industry.
The Style & Decor page is my own personal rabbit hole. It covers hot topics like Event Design, Floral, Tabletop, and Gifts & Swag. BizBash also publishes a few lists annually of the Top 100 Events, Venues & Destinations, Brands and People, Meetings and Conferences. It’s perfect for discovering talented event partners and finding inspiration.
eventup
Think of eventup like a search engine for event and meeting spaces (just note that not every venue is on there).
Browse venues in top cities, or filter the search by price range, venue type, and style. Users can also sort spaces according to seated or standing capacity and type of event. If you’re looking for something specific, take the filters one step further and sort by neighborhood, distance or amenities.
Eventup delivers information on space rentals without needing to visit the venue’s website directly. Check out this example that shows the site’s page for SPiN, a cool ping pong themed venue in NYC. Users can even request a quote from the venue without leaving the page.
Photos on this site showcase the kind of transformations that can be done to a space. Take a look at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC, shown in the below image. The design and lighting installations are amazing!
AllSeated
Floorplans are essential for any event. Often, venue managers will produce floorplans and share them with vendors for their input and specifications, to determine where each item will live within a space.
Events that have an increase in complexity, or large number of moving parts, may hire an event planner or designer. They take the lead on creating and managing the floorplan.
AllSeated allows for each of these parties – venues, planners, designers and other event partners – to edit floorplans collaboratively. It’s a high-level site to create floorplans that are accurate and to scale.
With 2D and 3D options, specific measurements from popular rental companies, ready-to-plot tables and chairs, and tons venues to choose from, it’s a turnkey resource to prepare for a seamless install and set-up.
The site also allows users to manage guest lists. The best part? Guest lists can be inputted directly onto floorplans. So, if a guest RSVP’s with a food allergy, the planner can indicate which table and chair the guest has been assigned to, for the caterer to note on the event day.
Check out an overview of an example floorplan, below.
If you liked this post, view more of my go-to’s on the Most Loved Websites Series.