The right event organising companies to shortlist depend on what you are hosting. For corporate programs, look at Maritz, BCD Meetings & Events, and Agency EA. For weddings, galas, and private parties, look at Rafanelli Events, A Perfect Event, and Colin Cowie. A good pick matches your event type, your guest count, and your budget, and it will actually work in your city.
Most “best of” lists stop at famous names, and that leaves you with a gap. Big firms are built for large budgets and multi-city programs, while you may need a team that can run one dinner or one wedding weekend nearby. The six firms below show what each type of organizer does well. The last section then shows how to find a smaller local firm and compare quotes.
At Exhibition Globe, we cover the events, exhibitions, and trade show industry. That gives us a close view of how organizers describe their services and where their strengths sit. Use the list to learn what to ask for, then apply the same questions to any company you are considering.
1. Maritz
What they do
Maritz, based in St. Louis, plans corporate and association trade shows inside a wider set of programs for sales and employee engagement. It was founded in 1894, which makes it the oldest firm on this list. Event planning is one service among several at Maritz, not the whole business.
- Headquarters: St. Louis, Missouri
- Founded: 1894
- Event work: corporate and association trade show planning
- Related programs: sales channel incentives, employee recognition, and a customer experience technology platform
Who they suit
Maritz fits large companies that want events tied to incentives and recognition rather than a stand-alone party. If you want the conference, the reward program, and the tracking under one contract, this is the model you are shopping for.
Before you call, ask whether Maritz will scope an event-only engagement. A firm built around multi-program contracts may not be the right size for a single 150-person dinner. Ask for a named lead and for references from companies of your size.
Maritz is built for companies buying a program, not a single event.
2. BCD Meetings & Events
What they do
BCD Meetings & Events, headquartered in Chicago, creates digital, in-person, and hybrid events for clients of all sizes across industries. Its published services cover planning, on-site management, venue location, and event marketing.
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
- Formats: in-person, hybrid, and digital
- Services: event planning, on-site management, venue sourcing, event marketing
Who they suit
This firm suits companies that run several meetings a year or need a hybrid format with remote attendees. One partner handling venue search, logistics, and promotion saves you from coordinating three vendors yourself.
Ask how the firm is paid for venue sourcing. Some planners are compensated by venues and some only by you, and you should know which applies before you compare quotes. Also ask who staffs the event on the day, because on-site quality depends on the people, not the brand.
Hire a firm like BCD when planning, venue, and promotion need one owner.
3. Agency EA
What they do
Agency EA is a full-service brand experience agency based in Chicago and founded in 1999. It creates live, hybrid, and virtual events, runs global event programs, plans summits and conferences, and builds experiential campaigns. Its client roster includes Hilton, Google, and McDonald’s, so it operates well beyond one city.
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
- Founded: 1999
- Formats: live, hybrid, and virtual
- Work: summits, conferences, global programs, experiential campaigns
Who they suit
Agency EA suits marketing teams launching a product, running a flagship summit, or rolling out the same event across several countries. The event is meant to carry a brand message, not just hold a meeting.
Be honest with yourself about scope. A brand agency can be more than you need for a board retreat or a partner dinner. Ask about minimum project sizes early, and ask to see a past event close to your size.
An experiential agency sells a brand message, so match it to a brand-level event.
4. Rafanelli Events
What they do
Rafanelli Events plans weddings, nonprofit galas, private events, and corporate events from offices in Boston, New York City, and Palm Beach. Founder Bryan Rafanelli is known for high-profile celebrity weddings. The company plans more than 100 events a year and offers end-to-end planning plus branding and consulting.
- Offices: Boston, New York City, Palm Beach
- Event types: weddings, galas, private and corporate events
- Services: full planning, branding, consulting
Who they suit
Rafanelli suits hosts of high-end weddings and galas who want one lead planner to manage design, vendors, and timeline. A firm that handles 100-plus events yearly has a deep vendor bench.
Ask which office covers your date and whether the senior planner stays involved after the contract is signed. Request a sample timeline and a sample vendor list so you can see how much detail the team tracks.
For a signature gala or wedding, pay for a lead planner who stays on the job.
5. A Perfect Event
What they do
A Perfect Event is a Chicago company led by Debi Lilly, built around design-driven events. It plans weddings, galas, corporate events, and birthday parties. It also handles florals, stationery, styling, and favors. The company owns the DL Lounge, an intimate event space.
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Event types: weddings, galas, corporate events, birthday parties
- Services: event management, florals, stationery, styling, favors
- Venue: owns the DL Lounge
Who they suit
This company suits hosts who want one team for the look of the event, from table florals to printed invitations. It is also a rare example on this list that openly takes on birthday parties.
Ask whether florals, stationery, and favors sit inside the planning fee or are billed separately. Design-heavy services can double a budget quickly if you do not define them upfront. Ask whether the DL Lounge fits your guest count before you plan around it.
Design services decide your total cost, so get them priced separately.
6. Colin Cowie
What they do
Colin Cowie is a luxury events company with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Its founder is also an author, designer, and TV personality. The team plans private events, corporate events, and weddings, covering venue sourcing, event design, floral and decor, coordination, and guest list management.
- Offices: New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas
- Event types: private and corporate events, weddings
- Services: venue sourcing, design, floral and decor, coordination, guest list management, social media
Who they suit
Colin Cowie suits hosts planning luxury weddings or private celebrations who want a recognizable name and a full design concept. Corporate clients can use it for hospitality-style events where guest experience matters more than agenda length.
When a company is built around a famous founder, confirm who will run your event. Ask to meet the actual planner and the day-of lead before you sign. A name is not a staffing plan.
With a celebrity brand, hire the planner you meet, not the name on the door.
How to find event organising companies near you
Build a local shortlist
Start with three to five local firms, because national names rarely cover small events well. Good sources are your venue’s preferred vendor list, referrals from colleagues who hosted similar events, and business directories. The EG Business Listing on Exhibition Globe is one such directory, where visitors can browse local businesses, service providers, and venues, but it only shows companies that have added a profile. Cross-check any firm you find with its own website and recent events.
For a small or budget event, smaller planners often work better than big agencies. They answer faster and will take a single event.
Compare quotes and fees
Planners usually charge by one of three models. Ask every firm which one they use and what it includes.
| Fee model | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Flat fee | One price for a defined scope | Events with a fixed plan |
| Hourly | You pay for time used | Consulting or day-of help |
| Percentage of budget | Fee rises with event spend | Large, evolving events |
Here is an example with made-up numbers. Quote A is a $4,500 flat fee. Quote B is 12% of a $40,000 budget, which is $4,800. If your budget grows to $50,000, quote B becomes $6,000 while quote A stays at $4,500.
Check the paperwork question
If you host a private party, you do not need an LLC. If you sell tickets or take sponsor money, speak with an accountant or attorney about structure. Also check local permits for venues, alcohol, and street use. Your organizer should know the local rules, and you should ask.
Pick the fee model first, then compare firms on the same terms.
Picking your shortlist
The six firms here show that event organising companies differ by event type, scale, and service model. Maritz, BCD Meetings & Events, and Agency EA fit corporate programs. Rafanelli Events, A Perfect Event, and Colin Cowie fit weddings, galas, and private events.
For a local event, treat these names as a guide to what to ask. Request scope, staffing, fee model, and references from every firm you consider, and compare quotes on identical terms. If your event is a trade show or B2B exhibition, browse trade shows and exhibitions in the United States on Exhibition Globe to see how current shows run and who works on them.
