Aventri launches one-stop shop for events

Event management software (EMS) leader Aventri today unveiled the Aventri Marketplace, a one-stop shop for events. The new portal on the Aventri platform gives customers quick access to premium service and technology providers for event success. Marketplace partners cover everything from event promotion and budget management to staffing, ground transportation, payment processing and more.

In conjunction with the Marketplace debut, Aventri announced a partnership with Uber for Business. Aventri is the first event management software provider to launch a partnership with Uber for Business, offering customers the opportunity to use Uber Vouchers. This web-based tool allows organisers to give attendees VIP treatment with stress-free, reliable transportation to and from events. Using Uber Vouchers, organisers spend less time arranging logistics for moving groups, and their guests can come and go at a time that’s convenient for them.

“Aventri technology assists planners throughout the event lifecycle,” says Michael Burns, global head of sales and marketing, Aventri. “Marketplace builds on our promise to customers. The aim is to present top-notch providers that enhance every corner of event planning and management. Using Aventri Marketplace, planners will save time and money, while optimizing their events.”

Curated Directory

Aventri Marketplace launches with carefully vetted partners in eight categories:

• Attendee Engagement – Sciensio artificial intelligence Eventbots
• Event Promotion – InGo for word-of-mouth/social media promotion
• Budget Management – Eved centralised platform to better manage spend
• Ground Transportation – Uber for Business, miMeetings and EmpireCLS, enhancing service as well as savings and budget control
• Onsite Services – Swiftium modern solutions to improve lead retrieval, session tracking, ticketing, registration and access control
• Reservation Software – Meetingmax for faster, more accurate room block management
• Payment Processing – CardConnect streamlined payment solutions
• Event Staffing – Plannernet, a pool of 1,500 meeting and event specialists in 70 countries

In addition, Aventri has a robust pipeline of future providers. The company will evaluate companies and roll out new partners on an ongoing basis.

In Tune with Consumer Shopping Trends

“Planners today are expected to be event strategists, plugged into all the best resources,” explains Brad Langley, vice president, channel and partner management, Aventri. “At the same time, they’re stretched thin. Bombarded with requests for new and different services, they no longer have time to carefully evaluate every option. Aventri Marketplace answers the call, offering easy access to the top providers planners need as they build out their events.”

The new portal is in tune with the way people shop today. When consumers make purchases online, they have product information at their fingertips and tools like rating scales to help them make smart choices. Aventri Marketplace is designed to bring the ease and assurance of consumer shopping to the event space.

Carefully Vetted

Planning for Aventri Marketplace began last July. The company built the portal within the Aventri platform for easy customer access. Planners can sort by services and click to get product information and request quotes and demos. An Aventri account manager plays an advisory role to help clients find the right providers.

All Aventri Marketplace partners undergo rigorous vetting. To qualify, they must make a significant impact in one of five areas: marketing, operations, onsite experience, attendee analytics and payment solutions. Partners must also be compliant with clients’ data security and GDPR regulations. In addition, Aventri tests to ensure solutions are easy to deploy within a reasonable timeframe.

Before onboarding partners, the company conducts a thorough walk-through to make sure everything works well with the Aventri platform. The process is documented to give clients detailed, step-by-step instructions.

Innovation

Partnership selection reflects a mix of push and pull strategies.

Some partners provide services customers request, such as ground transportation. The goal is to create a win-win.

For example, working with Uber for Business, attendees receive a more personalised travel experience with the ability to arrange the rides they want when they want*. Organisers easily create and manage campaigns online by setting parameters for pickup, drop-off, timeframe and ride costs. They pay only for Vouchers their attendees redeem. Plus, companies better predict and control transportation costs.

Others partners are startups with compelling solutions Aventri thinks clients should know about. The roster includes companies like Sciensio that have served other sectors successfully. Aventri works with them to adapt solutions and introduce exciting new services to the event space.

“Aventri offers more innovation by far than any other event tech provider,” Langley says. “Our Marketplace extends the reach, bringing clients the latest innovations to maximise event success.”

*Attendees are advised to follow safety protocols and always check the driver’s photo and vehicle description against what is sent when the trip is requested.