How Are You Planning Your Next Event?
That One Conference I’ll Never Forget (for the Wrong Reasons)
Have you ever attended a conference that felt more like a test of patience than a professional gathering? I have. A few years ago, I showed up at a high-profile financial conference expecting a seamless experience—after all, this was a big event hosting top-tier executives and venture capital firms. Instead, I got a headache.
Unfortunately, a series of logistical and organizational missteps overshadowed what should have been a productive and energizing experience at one of the industry’s premier conferences.
To start, just getting to the venue was a challenge. Due to extensive construction in the area, attendees had to navigate a chaotic maze of blocked roads and detours adding 45 minutes to the travel time. Frustrated that nothing had been communicated to us, I was already unhappy when I arrived at the venue.
Once there, finding the actual event space within the hotel was surprisingly difficult. The lack of clear signage, combined with the hotel’s sprawling layout and numerous event areas, made it confusing and stressful to find the check-in area.
Check-in was another headache. Conference passes were not ready upon arrival, and to make matters worse, the package I had purchased didn’t include access to several of the key sessions that I understood to be part of the bundle. There was no advance clarification, and on-site staff offered little in the way of resolution.
Things didn’t improve when it came to accommodations. The hotel room I booked was not the one I received, and despite having a confirmation indicating I had secured a discounted rate within the official room block, I was told no such rooms were available. If I wanted to stay close to the venue, I had no choice but to pay about 25% more per night. On top of that, hotel staff continuously attempted to upsell me into a more expensive room, which felt more opportunistic than helpful.
Finally, cell service and Wi-Fi in the conference and surrounding areas were spotty at best. This made coordinating with colleagues and scheduling meetings incredibly difficult, especially in an environment where connectivity is key to making the most of your time.
Instead of making valuable connections and gaining insights, I spent half the event tracking down event staff and sorting out logistical messes. Not exactly the experience I—or anyone—would hope for.
The Hidden Costs of Poor Event Planning
That experience stuck with me. And it’s one of the reasons I started Point Monarch—to help businesses optimize operations and stop losing money due to preventable mistakes.
One of the biggest (and most frustrating) ways companies bleed money? Inefficient event management. In-person events are making a huge comeback, but the costs of hosting them can spiral out of control fast. I’ve talked to clients who are hesitant to return to live events because they always seem to cost way more than planned.
And beyond the financial aspect, a poorly run event can do real damage. Low engagement, frustrated attendees, a tarnished brand reputation—these things add up. The last thing any company wants is for their event to be remembered for the wrong reasons.
Finding a Smarter Way: Our Partnership with Cvent
After seeing this challenge play out repeatedly, I wanted to find a real solution for my clients. That's why I’m excited to announce Point Monarch’s partnership with Cvent, a leading event technology platform. Over the past few months, I’ve worked closely with their team, and I can tell you this: Cvent makes event management dramatically easier.
From automated registration and real-time attendee tracking to seamless hotel and venue coordination, Cvent improves efficiency, reduces errors, and helps businesses save time and money.
Why Companies Trust Cvent for Event Management
Cvent isn’t just a planning tool—it’s a complete event management solution. Here’s what makes it stand out:
Governance and Compliance: Ensures contract validation, rate assessments, and historical data comparisons.
Comprehensive Reporting: Tracks event spend, cost savings, and meeting frequency so you can make data-driven decisions.
Financial Optimization: Helps you keep tabs on credits and deposits, so you don’t lose money on future events.
Duty of Care Integration: Enhances attendee safety and risk management—because security matters.
Onsite Facility Utilization: Maximizes corporate meeting spaces to cut costs and boost efficiency.
Scalability: Works for everything from small team meetings to large-scale conferences.
The Value of In-Person Events Is Growing—Fast
Despite the rise of virtual meetings, in-person events are more valuable than ever.
According to Allied Market Research, the global events industry—including corporate events, conferences, and exhibitions—is projected to hit $2.5 trillion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2035.
The corporate events market is expanding just as fast. Globe Newswire reports that it’s expected to grow from $325 billion in 2023 to $595.27 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 10.61%.
And companies using event technology are already seeing major benefits:
36% of event professionals report higher registration rates.
26% see greater ROI, proving the financial advantage of better planning.
25.3% note improved attendee engagement, showing the power of well-executed, interactive events. (Source: Cvent Event Statistics)
Let’s Make Your Next Event a Success
Through our partnership with Cvent, we’re helping businesses host seamless, cost-effective, and engaging events—without the logistical nightmares. If you want your next event to run smoothly (and actually stay on budget), let’s talk.
I’m curious to hear about your conference-gone-wrong experiences. Which one stands out the most for you? Reach out and let me know.
