10 Venues that Put Event Planners First

Most spaces are eager to tell you they are the best at hosting, but any savvy event planner knows some venues are simply better at finessing the small details that make a big difference. If you’re looking for venues that put event planners first, we have a good selection for you. The following venues offer something special for a variety of event sizes.

What Do Event Planners Want?

First, what do most event planners appreciate? The eventprof wishlist covers many of the same things attendees are looking for:

• The wow factor
• Menu options that can accommodate a variety of needs
• Solid WiFi
• Good technology services at an affordable price
• The ability and willingness for the venue to work with them in accommodating a creative idea for meeting space
• Sustainability options

These factors and others are what went into this list of venues that put event planners first. Plus, most of these venues are so beautiful with very strong senses of place, decorations are nearly optional.

Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, Canada

The Fairmont Banff Springs definitely has the wow factor, nestled amid mountains and set alongside a sparkling lake, but it’s also a leader in sustainability. It offers an exclusive green conference planning option. The venue can host between 8 and 1,000 attendees, offers flexible event spaces and customized meeting experiences, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and a team of experienced technicians. The hotel also allows meeting planners to designate 10% of guest room revenue to a charity of their choosing.

111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, California

This venue is a favorite among tech companies like Google and Facebook. With 4,700 square feet of event space, the gallery can hold up to 500 people. It offers rotating exhibits and exposed piping for a chic, urban look. But one of the reasons event planners enjoy the space is its DrinkArt service. With this artful beverage service event planners can elevate the way they quench attendees’ thirsts.

The Moscone Center, San Francisco, California

This conference center has become one of the leading names in green conferences but it also takes its technology seriously. With good WiFi, onsite event management, and in-booth broadcasting for excellent video conferencing and video production. They offer live streaming services and webcasting. Digital signage reduces the cost of printed placards and allows for other important information to be displayed and updated as often as needed, such as a Twitter feed, news tickers, or session and speaker names.

An event planner who hosted a developers’ conference here shared that security was top-notch and the event staff slipped in and set up a full lunch spread without interruption. Not an easy thing to do.  

MEET, Las Vegas, Nevada

With 40,000 square feet of customizable event space this place hosts a variety of meetings, conventions, social events, and more in its downtown Las Vegas location. It boasts teledata connectivity plates every ten feet on the first floor so there are no concerns about unsightly and dangerous cords. Webcasting is easy with its state-of-the-art gigabit speed network. They also have an on-site chef and event team.

If there’s one town that understands the importance of lighting, it’s Vegas. Lighting is a big part of MEET as well. They offer both interior and exterior lighting “washes” that bring a completely different look to their space.

Convene at 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York

This venue in Midtown West offers contemporary design with breathtaking views. There’s state-of-the-art technology, on-site food, event privacy, flexibility of meeting space including collaborative work spaces, and dedicated production managers. Their packages are all-inclusive so most of the facility details are handled by the staff, which means less of your time spent coordinating.

Keystone Crescent, London, England

This intimate venue offers a laid-back, yet sophisticated experience tucked below the streets of Kings Cross. Event planners love the intimacy of this members club and the unique touches it allows, like being able to provide your guests with a unique code for the door. On Friday and Saturday it’s open until 4 am.

Disney Resorts. Orlando, Florida

The Disney resorts host a lot of events so their event staff is skilled in creative expression as well as state-of-the-art technology. Their Disney Event Group helps event planners create an experience, not just another meeting. They specialize in working with event planners because they function as an extension of your staff. They even created a video about it.

Gramercy Park Hotel, New York, New York

This gorgeous venue offers a variety of spaces from creative meeting spots to traditional boardrooms. They also have a terrace with a retractable roof to ease the concern over an outdoor event being rained out. Other bonuses include multi-lingual staff, video conferencing, and state-of-the-art technology.

Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland

This magnificent 13th-century castle turned hotel and event venue is one of Colin Cowie’s favorites. He points out that it transports you to a “bygone era.” He also praises the unusual experiences guests can take part in while there including falconry and archery. The venue offers a variety of spaces from “intimate to lavish” and a very experienced event team that is dedicated to service.

One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico

What most people like about this venue is that the staff are attentive without being intrusive. This Los Cabos landmark underwent a massive renovation after Hurricane Odile in 2014. It blends the charm of Old Mexico with the sophistication of today and modern technology. The venue prides itself on its attention to detail and, because of this, attracts top event planners from around the world to host a variety of events, from fashion shows to incentive meetings.

In Conclusion

While event planners may vary in their preferences for turn key or creative operations, these venues all offer state-of-the-art tech and an attention to details that make the venue and planning all the more enjoyable. All of these locations have an event team and many of them have additional tech staff so you needn’t worry about your AV needs.

Don’t see your favorite on the list? Which top class venues would you add?