The Top 19 Event Management Agencies in 2024: Meet the Powerhouses
Mar 29, 2024 Shruti Shah
The events industry is not only growing rapidly but also evolving comprehensively in all its elements. From planning to marketing and exploring unique venues, the landscape is advancing in all directions. Whether you're organizing a global conference or an annual sales kick-off, you need the right skillset and technology to create memorable and impactful experiences for attendees, partners, sponsors, and other stakeholders. While it’s great to have an internal team for planning and executing your event, the years of experience and hands-on expertise offered by top event marketing agencies, event production companies, or destination management agencies might come as a Midas Touch your live event has been waiting for.
When it comes to event tech, Eventcombo provides an all-in-one solution, powered by state-of-the-art technology, that ensures your events are successful, deliver ROI, and make a meaningful impact. To assist you further, we have curated a list of the top event agencies that could help you achieve your goals.
1. The Freeman Company
Establishment Year: 1927
Location: Based in Dallas, Texas, USA.
Team: Employs over 7,000 professionals worldwide.
Leadership: Bob Priest-Heck leads this full-service event solution company with a focus on a data-driven approach to shaping exhibitions and events that drive audiences to action. Janet Dell, currently serving as the company's president and COO, is set to step into the role of CEO from July 1, 2024, succeeding Bob, who will retire after a remarkable 15-year tenure.
2. 360 Destination Group
Establishment Year: 1978
Location: Headquartered in Irvine, California, USA, with operations across major destinations worldwide.
Team: Employs a dedicated team of more than 250 event professionals across various destinations.
Leadership: Led by Shelly Archer and Trevor Hanks as managing partners, 360 Destination Group brings decades of experience as a destination and event management company. They specialize in transforming stuffy corporate meetings into memorable events, making them feel like the only event in town. The team personally handles all logistics and arrangements for multi-day programs, and seamlessly blends them with carefully thought-out event concepts that engage clients and employees.
3. Opus Agency
Establishment Year: 1993
Location: Based in Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Team: Employs over 300 professionals across offices in the US and Europe.
Leadership: Dena Lowery, the president of Opus Agency, is renowned for her strategic vision and dedication to delivering exceptional events. She leads this event experience agency, built over four decades, with end-to-end capabilities focused on strategy, creativity, technology, and agile delivery.
4. CWT Meetings & Events (A division of CWT (Carlson Wagonlit Travel)
Establishment Year: 1999
Location: Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, with offices worldwide.
Team: Backed by a global team of travel and event experts.
Leadership: Global Head and CEO Ian Cummings, at CWT Meetings & Events drives the creative know-how to deliver awe-inspiring events. Their logistics expertise guarantees professional meeting services, group travel, and compliance.
5. Maritz Global Events (Originated as Maritz Travel, evolved into Maritz Global Events)
Establishment Year: 1894
Location: Headquartered in Fenton, Missouri, USA, with global reach.
Team: Employs over 2000 professionals worldwide.
Leadership: David Peckinpaugh serves as the President and CEO of Maritz Global Events, a leading event experience design company. Maritz Global Events specializes in providing comprehensive global meetings and event design and management services, along with innovative experience design methodology. With a focus on delivering exceptional experiences and measurable results, Maritz Global Events sets the standard for excellence in the industry.
6. PRA Business Events
Establishment Year: 1981
Location: Based in Chicago, Illinois, USA, with offices across major destinations worldwide.
Team: Employs a diverse team of event professionals and destination experts.
Leadership: Tony Lorenz, CEO of PRA Business Events, is renowned for his passion for creating memorable event planning and production experiences, as well as fostering client relationships. PRA Business Events offers a wide array of business event management capabilities, including destination programs, creative design services, event production, and technology.
7. GES - Global Experience Specialists
Establishment Year: 1926
Location: Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and operating globally.
Team: Employs over 3,000 professionals worldwide.
Leadership: Steve Moster leads GES as the President and CEO, guiding the company's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. As a global full-service provider for the exhibitions industry, GES fuels growth strategies to assist clients in successfully maximizing their show-floor presence, sponsorships, and data-driven solutions to boost revenue.
8. Impact XM (Established through the merger of Impact Unlimited and Exhibit Surveys Inc.)
Establishment Year: 2018
Location: Based in Dayton, New Jersey, USA, with offices in Las Vegas, Chicago, and Toronto.
Team: Employs a team of experienced professionals specializing in experiential marketing and live events.
Leadership: Jared Pollacco serves as the CEO of Impact XM, driving this global, full-service event and experiential marketing agency with over 50 years of experience in creating ownable brand experiences, along with a stellar team of leaders.
9. GMR Marketing
Establishment Year: 1979
Location: Headquartered in New Berlin, Wisconsin, USA, with offices worldwide.
Team: Employs over 1000 professionals globally.
Leadership: Led by Tyson Webber,President and CEO of GMR Marketing, the company brings extensive experience in sports and entertainment marketing. From experiential to sponsorships and more, they ensure your brand reaches where it needs to go.
10. BCD Meetings & Events
Establishment Year: 1986
Location: Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA, with offices across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
Team: Employs over 1,000 event professionals globally.
Leadership: Bruce Morgan, Global President, is leveraging his extensive experience in the travel and events industry to lead BCD Meetings & Events, driving growth and innovation. As an event design and strategic meetings management company, BCD pioneers innovative solutions customized to clients’ needs and strategic intent.
11. Hello Destination Management
Establishment Year: 1986
Location: Based in Orlando, Florida, USA, with a network of offices in popular destination cities worldwide.
Team: Employs destination experts and event professionals across its network.
Leadership: Paul Mears serves as the President and CEO of Hello Destination Management, bringing years of experience in destination services and hospitality management. He is an enthusiastic partner in creating a stress-free and memorable live event experience through Hello Destination, focused on destination logistics and destination design.
12. Derse
Establishment Year: 1948
Location: Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, with offices in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Pennsylvania.
Team: Employs over 500 professionals specializing in exhibit design, fabrication, and event marketing.
Leadership: Brett Haney spearheads Derse as its President and CEO, guiding this premier face-to-face marketing agency towards unparalleled creative excellence and unwavering client satisfaction. With a legacy spanning 75 years, Derse has consistently delivered award-winning exhibits, events, and environments, facilitating meaningful connections between brands and their customers.
13. First Global Agency
Establishment Year: 1996
Location: Headquartered in New York, with a global presence.
Team: Employs a diverse team of event planners, concierge professionals, and hospitality experts.
Leadership: Maureen Ryan Fable is the CEO of First, renowned for her expertise in luxury event planning and personalized service. As a leading global brand experience agency, FIRST operates as a full-service agency partner or through embedding specialists. They provide content, creative, digital technology, management & delivery, and data & insights services.
14. 160over90
Establishment Year: 2001
Location: Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, with additional offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and Columbus.
Team: Employs a team of marketing and branding professionals, with over 200 employees.
Leadership: With Ed Horne at the helm, President of 160over90, the company boasts a wealth of experience in advertising and brand strategy leadership. It adopts a comprehensive, channel-agnostic approach, forging strong connections among individuals, locales, and trends shaping the conversations of the future. Renowned as an award-winning cultural marketing agency, 160over90 specializes in propelling brands to new heights through groundbreaking ideas tailored for a global audience.
15. Production Glue LLC
Establishment Year: 2006
Location: Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, USA, with additional offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Team: Employs a dedicated team of event production professionals, with expertise in staging, lighting, audiovisual, and logistics management
Leadership: Alex Wise serves as the CEO of Production Glue LLC, leveraging years of industry experience to drive innovation and excellence in event production. Whether in the virtual realm or in-person, the team thrives on delivering never-before-seen, FOMO-inducing events. Their portfolio includes Best Brand Activation, showcasing their commitment to pushing boundaries and creating unforgettable experiences for clients and attendees alike.
16. Clarion Events North America (A subsidiary of Clarion Events Limited)
Establishment Year: 1947
Location: Headquartered in Trumbull, Connecticut, USA, with operations across North America.
Team: Employs a diverse team of more than 150 professionals specialized in event management, marketing, and sales.
Leadership: Elizabeth Irving is the Group CEO of Clarion Events, bringing extensive experience to lead the company in organizing industry-leading events across various sectors. Specializing in trade shows, conferences, and exhibitions, Clarion Events delivers exceptional event experiences for clients worldwide, spanning technology, retail, healthcare, and more. The company sets the benchmark for excellence in the events industry, consistently exceeding expectations and driving innovation.
17. Opal Group
Establishment Year: 1998
Location: Headquartered in New York City, New York, USA, with a global presence.
Team: Employs more than 50 event professionals.
Leadership: Opal Group, under the leadership of Managing Director Lauren Bautista, is a prominent organizer of premier conferences in New York. Their events, tailored for top executives and decision-makers across diverse industries, boast unparalleled speaking sessions, workshops, and face-to-face networking opportunities. Committed to delivering high-quality events and information, Opal Group ensures attendees receive valuable insights and connections at every gathering.
18. Czarnowski Collective
Establishment Year: 1947
Location: Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA, with operations worldwide.
Team: More than 900 professionals in various domains.
Leadership: Jim Milanowski leads Czarnowski Collective as its President, guiding the company in crafting immersive brand experiences and event activations. Czarnowski Collective, a global experience design agency, specializes in creating memorable brand experiences across various platforms. With four specialized studios - Czarnowski, Public School, Infusion, and Assembly - the agency offers unique capabilities while maintaining a unified approach to building standout brand experiences. From trade shows and exhibits to retail environments and corporate events, Czarnowski Collective helps brands effectively connect with audiences.
19. Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc
Establishment Year: 1967
Location: Headquartered in Caledonia, Wisconsin, USA, with global operations.
Team: Employs a team of more than 400 experienced professionals in event management, travel logistics, and incentive program design
Leadership: Tina Madden serves as the CEO of Meetings & Incentives (M&IW), leading the company in providing comprehensive meeting and event management services for corporate clients. M&IW is a global event management firm specializing in virtual, hybrid, and in-person experiences of all sizes, alongside consulting and enterprise strategies. With decades of experience, M&IW offers trusted services including site selection, logistics management, and attendee engagement. They provide a portfolio of management services for meetings, events, incentives, conferences, and tradeshows, helping clients achieve business objectives through successful events.
In conclusion, when it comes to creating exceptional events, our directory showcases top-tier event planning and management companies renowned for their expertise and creativity. And for all your event tech needs, Eventcombo remains a steadfast choice – Book a Demo with us today - https://bit.ly/3R9bkuP
