ERP Software for Event Management
Event management companies and venues operate across a complex web of client contracts, supplier bookings, staffing arrangements, and equipment logistics — all converging on a single date that cannot be missed. ERP systems for event management must integrate event planning and CRM workflows with project-based cost accounting, client invoicing, deposit management, and post-event profitability analysis to give operators the financial control their event-driven business model demands.
Compare ERP Systems for Event Management
Select up to 4 ERP vendors to compare side by side. Filtered to show systems with strong event management capabilities.
Key Challenges for Event Management
Managing the full event lifecycle from lead and proposal through contract, operations, and post-event billing in a single system without data re-entry
Tracking event profitability at the individual event level across labor, F&B, AV, décor, rental, and venue costs that often involve multiple suppliers
Managing client deposits, progress payments, and final invoicing with accurate deferred revenue recognition across long-lead-time event bookings
Coordinating dozens of external suppliers, subcontractors, and staffing agencies for a single event with accurate purchase order and cost tracking
Handling last-minute client scope changes that alter event costs and require rapid repricing and contract amendment without losing financial control
Scheduling and costing variable-size event teams with different skills, rates, and overtime rules across multiple events running simultaneously
Producing timely post-event financial analysis that identifies which clients, event types, and venues are most profitable to guide sales strategy
Best Event Management ERP for SMBs
Recommended for companies with $10M–$250M revenue and 10–200 employees.
Tripleseat
mid-rangeEvent sales and planning platform for restaurants, hotels, and unique venues with CRM, BEO generation, and client portal integrated with back-office accounting
Best for: Restaurants, hotel event teams, and small unique venues managing private dining and event bookings
Cvent
mid-rangeLeading event management platform for corporate event planners with venue sourcing, registration, and supplier management tools
Best for: Corporate event management teams and event agencies managing conferences, trade shows, and incentive programs
Ungerboeck (now Momentus Technologies)
mid-rangePurpose-built event and venue management platform combining CRM, event operations, financial management, and reporting for professional venues
Best for: Convention centers, arenas, stadiums, and professional event venues requiring an all-in-one venue and financial management platform
Sage Intacct
mid-rangeCloud financial management platform with project accounting suited for event companies managing cost tracking across multiple simultaneous events
Best for: Event management companies and DMCs needing robust project-based cost accounting and multi-entity financial reporting
NetSuite
mid-rangeFull-suite cloud ERP with project management and revenue recognition capabilities for event management companies with complex service delivery models
Best for: Growing event management companies and venue operators needing scalable ERP with multi-entity support
Planning Pod
budgetAll-in-one event management software for venues and planners with floor plan design, BEO management, and client collaboration tools
Best for: Small to mid-size event venues and independent event planners seeking affordable all-in-one event management tools
Best Event Management ERP for Enterprise
Recommended for companies with $250M+ revenue and complex multi-site operations.
Oracle Hospitality OPERA Cloud
enterpriseEnterprise hospitality platform with integrated sales and catering modules for large hotel convention and event operations
Best for: Large hotel convention centers and resort event operations integrated with hotel PMS and F&B management
SAP S/4HANA
enterpriseEnterprise ERP for large event companies and venue operators requiring deep project accounting, procurement, and multi-entity financial management
Best for: Large event management groups and publicly owned convention authorities with complex financial reporting requirements
Infor CloudSuite Hospitality
enterpriseEnterprise hospitality suite with event and catering management capabilities integrated with hotel and F&B operations
Best for: Large hotel chains and resort groups managing significant conference and events revenue alongside lodging
Microsoft Dynamics 365
enterpriseEnterprise ERP and CRM platform with event management ISV extensions and Power BI analytics for large event and venue operations
Best for: Large event management companies and convention centers seeking unified ERP and CRM with strong reporting capabilities
Essential ERP Capabilities for Event Management
Event CRM and lead management with proposal generation, contract management, and client communication tracking
Banquet event order (BEO) creation and distribution with automated updates to event staff and suppliers when changes occur
Project-based cost accounting with event-level P&L tracking across all cost categories including labor, F&B, AV, rentals, and subcontractors
Client deposit and progress payment management with deferred revenue recognition compliant with ASC 606
Purchase order management for event suppliers and subcontractors with three-way matching and budget-versus-actual reporting
Event scheduling and resource management covering venue spaces, equipment, and staff across multiple simultaneous events
Post-event profitability reporting by client, event type, venue, and organizer for sales strategy and pricing decisions
Food-and-beverage cost tracking for event catering with recipe-level costing and actual-versus-quoted variance reporting
Integration with hotel PMS for events held within hotel properties covering room blocks, master billing, and group accounting
Multi-currency client invoicing and supplier payables for international events and destination management company operations
Event Management ERP Cost Ranges
SMB
$12,000–$60,000
3–15 users, single venue or small event company
Implementation: $8,000–$40,000
Mid-Market
$60,000–$300,000
15–60 users, multi-venue operator or mid-size event company
Implementation: $50,000–$250,000
Enterprise
$300,000–$1,500,000+
60+ users, large convention center or event group
Implementation: $350,000–$2,000,000+
Implementation Considerations
Defining the boundary between the event management platform (for sales and operations) and the ERP (for accounting) is the most critical architectural decision and must be resolved before implementation begins
Deferred revenue recognition policy for event deposits must be aligned with the company's auditors and configured consistently across all event types before go-live
Event data migration from legacy systems or spreadsheets requires careful mapping of historical contracts, outstanding deposits, and committed supplier costs
Integration between the event management platform (Tripleseat, Cvent, Ungerboeck) and the accounting ERP requires thorough testing of the revenue and cost posting workflow before going live on real events
Post-event billing workflows must be designed before go-live because the window between event completion and client billing is often very short and errors at this stage directly affect cash flow
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a BEO and how does event management ERP use it?
A Banquet Event Order (BEO) is the primary operational document for an event, specifying room setups, F&B menus and quantities, AV requirements, staffing, timing, and client billing instructions. Event management ERP platforms generate BEOs from the event booking record and distribute them to kitchen, AV, housekeeping, and service staff. When event details change, the system updates all distributed BEOs and notifies relevant departments, maintaining operational accuracy on event day.
How does event management ERP handle client deposits and deferred revenue?
Event management ERP records client deposits as deferred revenue (a liability) when received and recognizes revenue as the event occurs. Under ASC 606, revenue recognition for events with multiple performance obligations (venue rental, F&B, AV, services) must be allocated across those components at contract inception. ERP systems configured for event management automate deferred revenue schedules and produce revenue recognition journals at event completion, simplifying audit evidence for complex event contracts.
Which platform is best for a standalone event venue?
Ungerboeck (now Momentus Technologies) is the most widely used purpose-built ERP for professional event venues including convention centers, arenas, and performing arts venues. It combines venue CRM, event scheduling, F&B management, and financial management in a single platform. For venues that want to use best-of-breed tools, Tripleseat or Cvent for event management integrated with Sage Intacct or NetSuite for accounting is a common and effective combination.
How does event management ERP track profitability per event?
Event management ERP platforms assign a unique project or job number to each event and post all revenues and costs against that identifier. Revenues including venue hire, F&B, AV, and service fees are posted when invoiced or when the event occurs. Costs including staff labor, food and beverage purchases, subcontractor invoices, equipment rentals, and overhead allocations are captured against the event project. A post-event P&L report shows gross margin by event, enabling comparison across clients, event types, and seasons.
Can event management ERP handle the complexity of large conventions and trade shows?
Yes, but large convention and trade show management often requires specialized platforms beyond standard event management ERP. Platforms like Ungerboeck and Cvent handle large-scale event logistics including multi-day multi-room scheduling, exhibitor management, attendee registration, housing management for group room blocks, and complex master billing. Financial management for large conventions integrates these operational platforms with ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, or Sage Intacct for GL accounting, AP, and financial reporting.
How does event ERP manage supplier and subcontractor costs?
Event management ERP platforms manage supplier and subcontractor costs through purchase orders raised against each event project. When supplier invoices are received they are matched to the event purchase order, coded to the correct event cost category, and approved through a workflow before payment. This three-way matching process (purchase order, receipt confirmation, invoice) provides cost control and audit trail for every event. Budget-versus-actual variance reporting by event and cost category is generated automatically.
What integration between event management software and ERP accounting is needed?
The most important integration between event management software (Tripleseat, Cvent, Ungerboeck) and the accounting ERP is a bi-directional data flow covering: event bookings and confirmed revenue flowing to the ERP for revenue recognition and AR invoicing; approved supplier invoices from the ERP flowing back to event-level cost reports; and cash receipts matching to client accounts. Pre-built integrations exist between leading event platforms and Sage Intacct, NetSuite, and QuickBooks, while enterprise ERP connections are typically built via middleware.
How long does an event management ERP implementation take?
A focused event management platform implementation (e.g., Tripleseat or Planning Pod) for a single venue typically takes 4–8 weeks. A full ERP implementation for a multi-venue event company or convention center, including event platform plus accounting ERP integration, typically takes 3–6 months. Implementations for large convention authorities or event groups with complex ownership structures and legacy data migration can extend to 9–12 months.
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