Independent Organizers Insights Hour: 20 May 2027

Join us for the Independent Organizer Insights Hour in which participants will be the subject matter experts! This session's discussion topic will be focused on the topic of attracting new and retaining clients year over year. 

Win Them, Keep Them: Peer Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Event Clients

For event organizers working outside the association world, whether at an agency, a destination management company, a venue, or your own independent business, client relationships are the lifeblood of the work. Landing new business takes visibility, credibility, and a clear point of difference. Keeping clients year over year takes trust, consistent results, and the ability to show your value long after the event ends. This session is specifically designed for Independent Organizers that do not work for an association.

This session draws on the experience already in the room. Instead of a presentation, it’s a facilitated peer exchange where you, the event professionals in attendance, are the subject matter experts. Together we’ll explore what’s working right now in prospecting and referrals, positioning and pricing, proposals and pitches, onboarding new clients, communication during and between events, demonstrating ROI, and turning one-time projects into multi-year partnerships. We’ll also get candid about the tougher moments: recovering from an event that didn’t go as planned, navigating budget cuts and procurement changes, handling a client contact who leaves, and knowing when a client isn’t the right fit.

Bring a strategy that’s worked for you, a lesson you learned the hard way, or a question you’d like the group’s help with. You’ll walk away with practical ideas to grow your client base, strengthen the relationships you already have, and expand your network of peers.

Participants will be able to:

• Identify effective approaches for generating leads and converting prospects into clients
• Apply peer-tested practices for building loyalty and securing repeat and multi-year business
• Communicate and document event results in ways that reinforce value to clients
• Connect with fellow organizers to continue sharing strategies after the session

Registration is capped at 60 participants so make sure to sign up early to reserve your spot!  This session is eligible for 1 clock hour towards their CEM recertification.

This session is eligible for 1 clock hours towards CEM Recertification.