14 Event Management Software for Your Next Business Conference

Organizing a business conference involves handling countless moving parts, from securing a venue to promoting the event and managing registrations. Thankfully, event management software can automate and simplify much of the planning process, helping ensure your next business conference is a success.

Event management platforms provide tools to handle essential conference tasks like building registration forms, collecting payments, email marketing, managing attendees, and gathering analytics. Rather than cobbling together disjointed solutions, comprehensive event management systems integrate everything in one centralized hub.

But with so many options on the market, how do you determine which platform is right for your business conference? Here we compare 14 top-rated event management software solutions based on features, capabilities, pricing, and more.

What to Look for in Event Management Software

When evaluating event management systems, there are a few key criteria to consider:

Registration management – Customizable registration forms, promotion via social media, automated email reminders and confirmations
Payment processing – Ability to collect registration fees, offerings like tiered pricing and promo codes
Event website – Tools to build customized, branded event pages and landing pages
Session scheduling – Agenda builder, calendar management, session planning
Attendee management – Badging, check-in capabilities, contact info, profiles
Reporting and analytics – Tracking registration numbers, engagement, revenue; measuring event ROI
Integration – APIs, integrations with payment gateways, email systems, other software
Support – Training resources, 24/7 customer support via phone, email, chat
Pricing – Cost structures like free plans, monthly/annual subscriptions, pay per event pricing

Selecting software with robust capabilities in these critical areas will empower you to efficiently orchestrate and manage all aspects of your business conference.

14 Top Event Management Platforms

1. Zoho Backstage

Zoho Backstage is a cloud-based event management platform suitable for organizations of all sizes. Key features include:

Automation to reduce manual processes
Real-time data analytics and detailed reporting
Flexible API and integration capabilities
Scalable to grow alongside your events
Intuitive interface for easy collaboration

Zoho offers a free plan for basic events. Paid plans start at $20 per month. With its automation and integrations, Zoho Backstage simplifies event execution from start to finish.

2. RSVPify

RSVPify provides cloud-based event management optimized for RSVPs, registrations, ticketing, and guest management. Capabilities include:

Customizable registration forms and invite templates
Simple event websites and seamless online ticket sales
Drag-and-drop seating charts and guest management
Robust reporting for tracking registrations and sales
QR code check-in and badge printing

RSVPify starts with a free plan then offers paid tiers starting at $19 per month. The platform streamlines RSVPs and registration for events of all sizes.

3. Cvent

Cvent is an industry-leading SaaS platform built for large-scale event management. Features include:

Comprehensive event marketing and management tools
In-depth analytics on engagement, registrations, and revenue
Custom surveys to collect attendee feedback before/after events
Easy registration form setup and automated reminders
Mobile event apps, 24/7 support, and robust reporting

Pricing for Cvent is customized based on each company‘s needs. The platform is ideal for large enterprises running major conferences and trade shows.

4. Stova

Stova offers versatile tools for managing virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. Capabilities include:

Webinar hosting with Q&A, polls, and screen sharing
Automated notifications and calendar integrations
Customizable registration forms and landing pages
Robust event analytics and tracking
Badge printing and onsite check-in options

Stova provides customized pricing packages starting at $1,500 per month. With its flexible feature set, Stova can accommodate events of all formats and sizes.

5. Planning Pod

Planning Pod is an easy-to-use online system with 30+ integrated event management tools. Features include:

Centralized dashboards to track tasks, vendors, budgets
Calendar management withschedule sharing
Automated alerts and reminders via email and SMS
Robust collaboration features and file sharing
Custom reporting and data exports for analyzing performance

Planning Pod starts with a Basic plan at $19 per month. The platform is designed for fast, streamlined planning for small to mid-size event teams.

6. Eventbrite

Eventbrite provides a versatile self-service event management solution. Key features include:

Customizable event registration pages and forms
Integrated payment processing to collect registration fees
Event promotion and ticket sales management
Robust real-time reporting on registrants, traffic, sales
Easy social sharing integration to boost visibility

Eventbrite offers a free plan for basic events and paid packages starting at $99 per month. With its DIY tools and detailed analytics, Eventbrite suits first-time or infrequent event organizers.

7. Swoogo

Swoogo is an end-to-end event management platform with marketing automation capabilities. Features include:

Drag-and-drop event site builder with custom branding
Automated email triggers and complex workflow automations
Robust API and integrations with leading apps
Built-in real-time event analytics and tracking
Flexible registration management for all attendee types

Swoogo starts at $99 per month for up to three annual events. The platform is ideal for mid-market event teams.

Social Tables focuses on streamlining on-site event logistics and management. Key features:

Intuitive interactive floor plans and seating charts
Collaborative tools to work with venues and vendors
Manage check-ins, guests lists, agenda in real time
Robust reporting and analytics capabilities
Inventory tracking and onsite management

Social Tables starts with a free plan then offers a Pro plan for $199 per month. It‘s designed for onsite event teams and venue managers.

9. Hopin

Hopin provides an all-in-one solution for virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. Features include:

Live and on-demand video streaming
Integrated event registration and ticketing
Robust branding and website customization
Detailed analytics on engagement and traffic
Polls, Q&A, and interactive sessions

Hopin offers a free plan then paid tiers starting at $99 per month. It‘s a great fit for organizations hosting virtual or hybrid events.

10. Bizzabo

Bizzabo is a leading enterprise solution built for large-scale event management. Key capabilities:

End-to-end event execution from planning to analysis
Maximized ticket sales through personalized landing pages
Turnkey custom event apps and powerful analytics
Robust integration engine and partner app marketplace
Highly customizable registration forms and workflows

Bizzabo pricing starts around $15,000 per year. The platform is tailored for major conferences and strategic enterprise events.

11. Ungerboeck

Ungerboeck provides full-scale event management for venues, festivals, and large-scale conferences. Features include:

Comprehensive registration management
Robust scheduling coordination and calendar syncing
Integrated payment processing and donations
Powerful analytics and insightful reporting
End-to-end event execution and logistics

Ungerboeck pricing is customized based on each client‘s needs. The platform enables large-scale event execution and venue management.

12. Attendease

Attendease offers an easy-to-use event management system for events of all types and sizes. Capabilities include:

Customizable event websites, forms, invites, and more
Drag-and-drop agenda builder and program scheduling
Badge design and printing for onsite check-ins
Real-time event analytics and reporting
24/7 customer support via email and chat

Attendease pricing starts around $1,500 per year. Attendease simplifies event coordination for small teams with its intuitive system.

13. Accruent

Accruent offers enterprise-level facilities and event management capabilities. Features include:

End-to-end planning from budgets to bookings
Vendor and stadium management tools
Registration, badge printing, and onsite kiosks
Advanced scheduling coordination and calendaring
Seamless data flow across platforms and teams

Accruent pricing ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month. It focuses on large-venue and enterprise-scale event management.

14. Certain

Certain provides an integrated event management and marketing platform. Key features:

Customizable registration pages, forms, invites
Automated email workflows and reminders
Real-time event analytics and tracking
Integrated payment processing
CRM and marketing automation integrations

Certain pricing starts around $15,000 per year. The platform consolidates critical event execution capabilities onto one seamless system.

Key Takeaways

The right event management software centralizes tools to simplify planning and amplify the impact of your business conference. To choose a platform that best fits your needs:

Carefully evaluate must-have features like smooth registration, multi-channel event promotion, and robust analytics.
Factor in your team‘s workflow needs and preferences for simplicity versus extensive customization capabilities.
Consider pricing models and support options to maximize value and ROI.
Look for platforms offering integrations to unify data and systems across departments.

By selecting the event management software that aligns to your budget, team size, and functionality requirements, you can reduce manual processes and drive the success of your next business conference.