Top 10 CRMs for Event Planners & Coordinators: Planning and Scheduling Resources for Total Client and Event Management

Customers are the only thing keeping your event planning business running—thus, it’s critical that you manage them effectively. Today’s customers are more demanding than ever before and the responsibilities that you shoulder as an event coordinator only continue to grow. How, then, are you supposed to manage all of the things that are expected of you, from the event itself to managing customer relationships and making sure they have the best experience? 

Fortunately, modern CRM platforms are designed to help with all of that and more. Some of these solutions are integrated with event management software that offers a total business management solution, while others are separate software or cloud-based platforms that will be able to be added to your existing tech stack. While there are some different features among all of them, they also share several similarities. Namely, CRMs can:

• Provide a centralized client and vendor database
• Offer detailed insights on clients and their expectations 
• Create a full picture of the ROI that your business is earning
• Create opportunities for engagement with attendees and clients
• Manage leads and provide more opportunity for fostering leads
• Automate various tasks and optimize the resources being used

A modern CRM like the ones below will be able to handle just about everything but replacing the human element in your customer service. Of course, you could also choose to partner with the team at Smith.ai as a workaround, providing you with a dedicated CRM and a staff of virtual receptionists that can take customer calls and messages 24/7, freeing up your time to focus on your business. 

With all of the CRM options, including industry-specific and more generalized platforms, how are you to keep up and decide what’s best? Luckily, we’ve got you covered. In the list below, you’ll find the top 10 CRM solutions for event planners and coordinators, along with details about what each platform offers, its costs, and other considerations. 

Once you’ve reviewed the options, see which solutions you can integrate with the social media messaging services from Smith.ai to cater to the 46% of customers who prefer live chat or instant messaging when interacting with professional companies. 

1. Event Hub

Event Hub is a dedicated event management platform that is designed to make live event management easier than ever before. This cloud-based CRM platform is designed to help you manage paperwork, applications and files, payments, logistics, and more. You can manage vendors and sports, create event categories, and perform other tasks. 

The program offers a dashboard that is user-friendly and includes batch updates, notification pushes, and more. There is also a marketplace listing module for multimedia content viewing, lead generation, and document review tools to ensure that everything is in order before submission. 

The Event Hub platform is designed to streamline relationships between clients and vendors with your business, allowing you to focus your efforts on the events while your CRM is taken care of by the system. Plus, it’s scalable and customizable to suit your exact needs. 

The key features of this CRM include:

• Free option? No
• Price: Starts at $399 per event, custom pricing available for larger accounts
• Categorization of events and exhibitors
• Client management and documentation processing
• Real-time updates and notifications
• Dedicated event management software

2. Cvent

This end-to-end event automation tool has a strong CRM and focuses on client and attendee engagement. It also has tools and features for vendor and event management, as well as analytics that can help you improve your operations from lead generation to the execution of the event and beyond. 

Cvent features a cloud-based, scalable platform that can provide total business management for busy event planners and coordinators. It offers tools to simplify the event management lifecycle, collaborate with venues, and tap into the largest sourcing network in the world. 

With Cvent, event coordinators and planners will be able to take advantage of technology to innovate, integrate, and upgrade their success. Engage clients, measure results, and improve the client and event experience from end to end for total customer satisfaction. 

The best features of Cvent include:

• Free option? No, but a trial is available
• Price: Custom quote, subscription basis
• Simple event planning and management tools
• Streamlined management of clients and vendors for efficiency and better communication
• Complete event management in a single platform
• Detailed analytics for CRM and other customer data

3. GlueUp

GlueUp is a dedicated nonprofit app, but it does so well and there are so many nonprofits in the event planning industry, we thought it wise to include it on our list. After all, GlueUp features an intuitive, user-friendly dashboard that is focused on improving connections and communication first and foremost. This company understands that relationships are the key to success in event management, and uses the platform to that end. 

With GlueUp, event planners and coordinators will be able to automate membership renewals, streamline event workflows, and even create a mobile membership directory to allow members to connect and organizers to stay updated on what’s going on. 

Formerly EventBank, GlueUp offers a mobile app that also has messaging features, subscription management, event registration, and other features. 

The highlights of GlueUp as a CRM include:

• Free option? Free trial offered
• Price: Custom quote
• Native iOS and Android apps for members and organizers
• Detailed customer information and event listings
• Email and push notifications
• Rich member directory for easy CRM

4. Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is one of the most comprehensive, and yet most cost-effective options on the market today. This platform is cloud-based and scalable, making it ideal for small businesses that need a better way to manage customer relationships. 

Zoho CRM includes integrated features and can be combined with other software that you are already using. It can make event organization easier, help generate better reports, convert leads, and provide valuable data insights to improve client relations across the board. 

Zoho offers team tools to streamline interactions and collaborate on various projects and events. It offers tools for omnichannel communication, online sales meetings and webinars, and so much more. 

The key features of Zoho CRM include

• Free option? No
• Price: Starts at $15 per month
• Real-time notifications to keep you on track and in the loop
• Detailed reporting and analytics on customer service and other aspects of your business
• Omnichannel communication and support
• Automation and AI to assist with repetitive tasks

5. Eventmobi

Eventmobi is a dedicated end-to-end management platform for event coordinators and planning firms, offering virtual, hybrid, and in-person event support and management resources. The platform includes flexible features and custom client database management tools. It’s easy to manage clients and attendees, segment audiences, and more. 

Eventmobi offers a virtual space, event networking, registration tools, and dedicated apps that can engage your clients and attendees both during, as well as before and after, events. There are appointment tools, polls and surveys, and feedback resources, as well. 

Eventmobi is dedicated to delivering the best event and client management possible, with robust analytics and insights to help with improvements and more. 

The key features of Eventmobi to consider include:

• Free option? No
• Price: $3,500 starting for a single user
• Livestream production team to assist with creating the perfect virtual events
• Comprehensive event marketing solutions 
• Detailed client and vendor data, as well as event segmentation and more
• Event attendee management
• Rich mobile app access

6. HubSpot CRM

HubSpot is one of the leading CRM solutions, and perhaps the best free CRM tool available. It offers dedicated relationship management and marketing tools, including opportunity management and lead management. 

The HubSpot CRM also includes dedicated resources for reporting and analytics, ensuring that you have the latest insights on your event clients and the vendors that you work with. You’ll find a cloud-based platform that can be scaled to your exact needs with omnichannel communication and more. 

HubSpot also comes with access to the community of developers, professionals, other users, and resources that help you keep your event planning business on track. There are paid plans available for those who want more features or dedicated HubSpot support, as well. 

The key features of HubSpot CRM include:

• Free option? Yes
• Price: Starts at $50 per month for paid users 
• 360-degree view of client relationships and events
• Marketing and lead generation tools
• Omnichannel customer communication and support
• Best FREE CRM tool

7. Salesforce Essentials

Salesforce is the #1 CRM platform in the world. It offers iterations for several industries and tools that can be developed for all kinds of relationship management and business needs. Salesforce Essentials is a basic package that includes all of the necessary tools to oversee clients, vendors, and the operations of your event planning business. 

Salesforce offers a cloud-based solution that can be scaled to the exact needs of your event planning business. You’ll find scheduling tools, event status updates, and omnichannel communication support right at your fingertips, along with mobile optimization to ensure access from anywhere. 

Integrated forecasting tools and total contact management are the highlights of this software for event coordinators, but check out the other key features here:

• Free option? No, but there is a trial
• Price: Starting at $25 per month
• Scalable and customizable for all types of event planning businesses
• Integrated workflows and forecasting tools
• Total customer relationship management that integrates with other software
• Robust reporting and analytics to help you grow your business and improve client relationships

8. Aventri

Aventri is a dedicated event management platform that is based in the cloud. It can help individual coordinators and larger event planning firms to manage their event lifecycle, including customer relationship management. 

Aventri offers the capability to manage, create, and customize agendas, events, speakers, and more. You can even generate customized reports and includes features like event surveys, project and budget management, inventory management, venue sourcing, and more. 

The platform is also easy to integrate with other third-party software like Salesforce, Marketo, and others. Built-in APIs make it easy to integrate and the cloud-based platform makes scalability easy. The brand offers small business solutions and enterprise services. 

The highlights of this platform include:

• Free option? No
• Price: $3,000 per year at the enterprise level
• Event and attendee management tools
• Attendee segmentation and data reporting
• Event marketing and lead capture solutions
• Event website builders and task management tools
• Vendor and client management and communication tools

9. Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a cloud-based CRM tool that is designed on improving sales and customer relationships for activity-based sales businesses. It was created for small to mid-size businesses, which makes it ideal for event planners and coordinators, in addition to its activity-based focus. 

This CRM tool offers deal-driven workflows that make event management easy. It also allows you to manage clients and events and helps small businesses get on the same level as larger event planning firms. The customer database is rich and provides a 360-degree view of clients and their needs.

Pipedrive includes a mobile app for iOS and Android that is designed to help streamline event and client management in the field and on the go. It also offers call and email synchronization. 

The key features of Pipedrive are:

• Free option? No
• Price: $15 per month to start
• Visualization of the entire client experience and sales process
• Automatic tracking and organization of emails and calls
• Improved efficiency and streamlined tasks through AI and automation
• Targeted and segmented audiences and client resources

10. Daylite

Although Daylite is only for iOS devices (Mac, iPhone, and iPad), it offers a robust small business CRM that’s worth mentioning. And especially for event planners, as this tool is focused on total management of clients, projects, and events from start to finish. 

Daylite features several different tools for client and event management, including detailed search features and robust reports and analytics to help you keep tabs on your business. You can segment clients and events by type and even create your own categories for easier tracking. 

This platform offers the chance to offer an amazing client experience with rich details and customer management tools. 

The key highlights of Daylite:

• Free option? No
• Price: $29 per month, per user, starting
• 95% of Daylite clients report improved productivity and organization
• Connects seamlessly with Apple Mail, Contacts, and iCal
• Offers access to the Daylite community of experts and users
• Easy communication tracking and client information sharing
  

Smith.ai Can keep up with your clients in real time

If you are ready to take your event planning business to the next level, a CRM is the obvious choice. Adding the services of the team at Smith.ai may be less obvious, but it has several benefits. Our live chat and messaging services are an extension of your business, and we offer several other solutions to go along with your CRM integration for an improved client experience. We can integrate with many of the platforms listed above, as well as other software that you use, taking all the work off your plate. 

Today’s busy clients are on the move and when you utilize the receptionists and messaging solutions from our team in combination with a modern CRM, you’re going to deliver the customer experience that people have been looking for. Our text answering and SMS services can be customized to suit your exact lead generation or event planning needs, making sure your customers are only ever a quick message away from getting what they need. 

Of course, we can do a lot more than just answer messages and field phone calls. When you integrate with Smith.ai as your partner for total customer experience management, you’ll find that we really can take care of it all. 

To schedule your free consultation, contact us right away—you can email us at hello@smith.ai or click on the live chat feature on our website. You’ll also be able to reach us by phone at (650) 727-6484, and check out what all we have to offer on our Plans and Pricing page.