For chambers of commerce, event planning management software is convenient and the operating system behind everything actually works.
The days of tossing together a few mixers and ribbon cuttings each quarter are long gone. Today’s chamber events are multi-layered: sponsors to coordinate, RSVPs to track, check-ins to manage, CRMs to sync, reports to pull, and emails to automate; all while trying to create something that feels personal.
And if you’re still handling that with spreadsheets, calendar invites, and “just one more email”? You're firefighting.
The global event planning management software market is projected to hit $34.7B by 2029. And chambers are becoming one of the largest user groups because it’s finally clear that better infrastructure leads to better engagement, better retention, and better ROI.
Let’s look at how today’s most effective chambers are putting event planning management software to work, and why those still “doing it manually” may not be doing it for much longer.
The Event Planning Reset
For decades, chambers of commerce followed a familiar routine. Quarterly mixers. Annual galas. Holiday expos. Set the date, book the venue, email the list, cross your fingers. The system wasn’t perfect, far from it, but it was predictable. It ran on tradition. And as long as the calendar stayed full and the venue didn’t burn down, nobody asked too many questions.
Then the pandemic hit.
Events vanished overnight. Staff scrambled to figure out Zoom. Members went silent. What emerged a digital workaround and a wake-up call. Chambers need virtual options and a new operating system. One that reflected the reality that members no longer tolerate generic experiences, clunky registration processes, or one-size-fits-all programming.
We’re not “going back.” The reset is permanent.
Why the Old Playbook No Longer Works
Most of the pre-2020 chamber event cycle was cobbled together with spreadsheets, phone calls, and good intentions. Now, that’s a liability. Here’s what’s failing:
Manual coordination is slow and error-prone. Chasing RSVPs through inboxes and tracking logistics on whiteboards wastes time and energy.
Engagement feels forced or hollow. When events are built to fill slots on a calendar, not to meet member needs, turnout drops.
Data is an afterthought, if it exists at all. Guesswork still drives too many programming decisions.
Format inflexibility shuts people out. Not everyone can (or wants to) attend Tuesday lunches in person anymore.
Members Have Evolved. So, Should Your Operations.
The pandemic disrupts and accelerates. The chambers that are thriving in 2025 are the ones that treated COVID as a forcing function to rebuild from the ground up. Here's what they’ve embraced:
Data as a compass. Real-time insights guide everything; from which sessions resonate to who’s drifting toward non-renewal.
Automation as default. Registrations, reminders, thank-you emails, feedback surveys; set once, run automatically.
Flexibility as a feature. Virtual, hybrid, replayable; members want options and control.
Value over volume. A smaller, smarter event that’s personalized and purposeful beats a packed ballroom with no follow-up.
Event Planning Management Software Is Now Non-negotiable
The average chamber juggles dozens of events per year across various formats. Trying to manage that in a patchwork of disconnected tools is inefficient and irresponsible. The best chambers aren’t using event software as a helper. They’ve made it the backbone of their programming infrastructure.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Unified logistics. All event details live in one system. No more “who has the latest version?” moments.
Instant insights. Track registrations, drop-offs, engagement rates, and feedback in real time; then act on it.
Better member experience. Think mobile registration, personalized updates, and smart follow-ups that feel human.
Less grunt work, more strategy. Free up your team from admin tasks and let them focus on higher-impact initiatives.
Built-in compliance. Tools today come equipped with health and safety features; contactless check-in, attendee limits, and more.
The AI Edge: From Basic Tools to Predictive Systems
Forward-looking chambers are already using AI to build smarter event pipelines. This is operational logic. Here’s what modern AI-powered software can do:
Spot behavioral patterns and flag members who are disengaging before they lapse.
Automatically tailor follow-ups based on what sessions a member attended or skipped.
Predict which topics will get the highest turnout in the next quarter.
Serve up dashboards that show performance metrics in real time.
This kind of intelligence turns reactive planning into proactive engagement. It's doing what actually works.
Why More Chambers Are Treating Event Planning Management Software as Infrastructure
The shift is quiet, but it’s everywhere: chambers of commerce across the country are no longer just experimenting with event planning management software, they’re standardizing it, as a necessary fix to the workflows that have slowed them down and worn them out for years.
When chamber staff spend more time chasing RSVPs than building relationships, something’s broken. When member emails get lost in endless chains or events rely on five different tools that barely talk to each other, inefficiency is frustrating and becomes unsustainable. That’s the problem chambers are solving. And software is how they’re doing it.
Centralization Doesn’t Kill Local Flavor. Disorganization Does.
One of the most common objections to adopting new tools is fear of losing the local touch. But that fear misses the point. The right event planning platform doesn’t erase personalization but makes it easier. Centralized systems don’t mean generic events. They mean better coordination, clearer communication, and fewer tasks slipping through the cracks.
Instead of juggling spreadsheets, forms, and five different calendars, staff manage everything from one place: registration, communication, agendas, speaker coordination, and updates. And because they’re not stuck in administrative overload, they actually have more time to focus on meaningful member engagement.
Automation Is the Baseline.
Tracking registrations by hand. Manually confirming attendance. Remembering who to follow up with after an event. These used to be standard practices. Now, they’re red flags.
Event planning management software automates those repetitive tasks so chambers don’t have to waste staff capacity on what software can do better and faster. Think: automated reminders, real-time check-ins, CRM updates triggered by attendance, and post-event feedback requests; all without a human chasing them down.
Hybrid Is the New Normal. and Software Makes It Possible.
The rise of hybrid events is a permanent preference. Today’s members expect options. Sometimes they want to be in the room. Other times, they just want to tune in on their phone between meetings.
Event platforms that support both in-person and virtual experiences allow chambers to meet members where they are, without duplicating efforts. That includes livestreaming, virtual exhibitor booths, mobile apps, and live polling, all backed by data that shows how attendees engaged, what they clicked, and what they skipped.
Why Chambers Are Sticking with It: Four Lasting Benefits
This is building a more functional, flexible foundation for events of any kind.
Time back, every week. Centralized tools and automation slash the hours spent on admin. That’s time staff can reinvest in strategy, member outreach, and new partnerships.
A better member experience. Smooth signups. Personalized messages. Easy access to event info and updates. Members notice, and return.
Decisions backed by data. Event planning management software manage logistics; it tracks what works. Organizers see attendance trends, speaker impact, and follow-up response rates, helping them make smarter calls.
Scalable and format-proof. Whether you’re hosting a 30-person roundtable or a 3K-attendee expo, modern platforms grow with you; and pivot with you, too.
What Chambers Should Expect from Modern Event Planning Management Software
Running events is the engine that drives engagement, revenue, and visibility. So why are so many chambers still settling for clunky systems that can’t keep up?
Here’s what the best event planning management software should actually offer right now.
1. Seamless Integration with Your Membership CRM
If your event tool doesn’t talk to your membership database, you’re already behind. Every registration, attendance check-in, and payment should automatically sync to member records. That includes new signups, lapsed accounts, and prospects who aren’t members yet.
Two-way integration is the standard now:
Registrations should update CRM profiles in real time
Member status (active, expired, corporate tier, etc.) should shape pricing, visibility, and access
Prospect lists should feed into your engagement pipeline, automatically
Without this sync, you’re just collecting names. Not building relationships.
2. Reporting That Leads to Action and Reflection
It’s not enough to know who showed up. Chambers need event data that connects the dots:
Who attends but never joins?
Which topics generate sponsorship interest?
Do certain events correlate with renewals or upsells?
Look for software that goes beyond basic exports. You want real analytics, attendance trends, behavioral segmentation, conversion rates, and sponsor ROI. The goal isn’t just reporting. It’s an insight you can act on.
3. Mobile-First Design, Because Members Won’t Wait
Members don’t RSVP from desktops at 3 p.m. anymore. They skim invites on their phones at 9 p.m. and want answers fast.
Must-have mobile features:
QR code check-ins and instant badges
Personal agendas with location and speaker info
Real-time push notifications (e.g., “Room change for breakout session B”)
Sponsor ads, polls, and surveys; all mobile-optimized
A responsive portal that lets attendees update registrations or watch virtual replays on the go
If your platform isn’t built for mobile-first engagement, you’re not built for today’s member.
4. Customization Where It Matters
No chamber wants a rigid system that can’t flex. The best platforms give you control over what matters:
Custom registration fields (from meal preferences to LinkedIn URLs)
Member vs. non-member pricing tiers
Discount codes, early bird rates, and waitlist automation
Hybrid and virtual capabilities that integrate with Zoom, Teams, or your existing AV setup
This is especially important for multi-format events and premium experiences, where the details make or break the event.
5. Smarter Promotion and Built-in Communication Tools
Your event doesn’t sell itself. But your software can help.
Top-tier platforms come with:
Segmented email campaigns tied to member type, region, or past event history
Automated pre-event reminders and follow-ups
In-event announcements (think: last-minute room changes, sponsor messages, real-time updates)
Post-event thank-yous, feedback surveys, and cross-promotion for future programming
And it should all happen from the same platform, not five different tools stitched together.
6. Secure Payments and Real-Time Financial Tracking
No more chasing invoices or guessing revenue after the event.
Your software should offer:
PCI-compliant payment processing
Clear financial reporting for each event (ticket types, sponsorships, outstanding balances)
Flexibility to collect payments in multiple currencies or tax zones if needed
Financial transparency is necessary.
7. Accessibility and Data Privacy Baked In
Members come from all backgrounds and abilities. Your software must:
Support screen readers, closed captions, and keyboard navigation
Comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other relevant data regulations
Offer customizable privacy settings for event visibility and attendee data
Accessibility and trust are everything.
Glue Up Spotlight: Infrastructure
Glue Up is the infrastructure underneath how chambers and member-based organizations now operate; end to end, across departments, and in real time.
Where most platforms offer fragmented solutions, an event tool here, a CRM plug-in there; Glue Up delivers a unified system built from the ground up for membership-driven success. One login. One dashboard. One system running your events, CRM, payments, engagement, analytics, and communications.
Real. Repeatable. Scalable.
One chamber cut its no-show rate by 40% with automated reminders and live attendance tracking.
A trade group doubled attendance for niche events by launching virtual-only roundtables using Glue Up’s hybrid tools.
A regional chamber doubled sponsor retention after using Glue Up’s post-event analytics to show tangible ROI to partners.
These are proof that infrastructure beats improvisation. And Glue Up makes it possible.
What Makes Glue Up Different? A Full-Stack System Built to Work as One.
No more stitching together CRMs, payment processors, spreadsheets, and third-party apps. Glue Up brings everything together: intelligently, automatically, and on a scale.
Centralized CRM: Every interaction: event registrations, payments, renewals, engagement; is captured in a single member profile.
AI Copilot: Follow-up emails, nudges, and personalized messages are AI-assisted and tailored to your brand voice. Drafts are generated automatically, saving time and ensuring timely outreach with minimal manual input.
Automated finance tools: Payments, invoices, and receipts are handled seamlessly across 50+ currencies, synced directly to each contact’s profile.
Real-time analytics: Visual dashboards deliver leadership-ready data on event ROI, engagement trends, and member satisfaction; all live, no waiting.
Built-in community tools: Digital business cards, 1:1 chats, interest-based groups, and networking lounges let your members connect long after the event ends.
From Busywork to Better Work
Glue Up shifts your staff’s energy toward strategic value:
Automate reminders, registrations, and payment collection
Launch in-person, hybrid, or virtual events from one interface
Track every touchpoint and engagement signal in your CRM
Use actionable insights to retain sponsors and delight members
You stop chasing follow-ups, and start driving outcomes.
Proof in Action: 2 Quick Case Studies
Organization | Challenge | Glue Up Solution | Result |
World Laureates Forum | Manual processes for a global summit | Automated events + CRM sync | Saved 3 hours/employee/week; smoother attendee ops |
WorkTech | Disconnected tools, hard to scale | Unified CRM + events + email marketing | Cleaner ops, smarter targeting, faster growth |
The System Is the Shift
Here’s what modern chambers experience with Glue Up as their infrastructure:
A member registers for an event → their engagement score updates automatically
AI Copilot drafts a personalized follow-up
Payment confirmation is synced to their record
Dashboards show real-time updates for your board or executive team
Where Chamber Event Tech Is Headed
What used to be a handful of tools to “save time” has quietly become the foundation for strategic growth.
Event planning management software in 2025 gets more people through the door and understands why they show up, what they need when they’re there, and how your chamber follows up once they leave.
Here’s where the smartest chambers are heading, and why these trends are operational necessities.
Planning With Prediction
Chambers no longer plan events based on “what we did last year.” They’re using platforms that crunch real data: topics that converted, dates that flopped, members who went quiet, and then recommend what to do next.
Want to know which time slots bring your best sponsors?
Curious when member attendance drops by 30%?
Need to find the sweet spot between webinars and in-person roundtables?
Modern event planning management software uses predictive analytics to answer all of that before your team even logs in. It’s like having a strategist on staff who never forgets anything and never needs a break.
Programming Powered by Members
There’s a major shift happening, chambers are handing the mic over to their members.
Members are leading peer sessions, creating niche meetups, co-hosting roundtables, and even sponsoring pop-up events. Chambers aren’t drowning in logistics because the event planning management software tracks all of it.
Participation is logged and understood. That data goes right back into the system, showing you what resonates and where to double down next.
This member-led structure is what keeps events fresh, personal, and scalable; without burning out the staff who used to do it all.
Personalization Is the Default
AI-driven personalization is no longer something you bolt on, it’s built in.
Today’s best event planning management software can:
Suggest sessions based on member history
Pair attendees for networking based on business types or shared goals
Use chatbots to guide registration, offer support, or answer FAQs in real time
Your members expect this now. Not because they’re techies, but because this is how everything else in their life already works—Spotify, Netflix, Amazon. If your event experience still treats every attendee the same, they’ll feel like you don’t know them at all.
Hybrid Is an Advantage
There’s no “back to normal.” The most innovative chambers are using event planning management software to bridge in-person with virtual and as a multiplier.
They’re live-streaming panels with chat overlays. They’re layering in virtual expos with real-time booth interactions. Some are even experimenting with AR overlays or XR-powered walkthroughs for remote sponsors.
This happens when your platform can manage both formats natively, without needing ten different apps duct-taped together.
Sustainable, Accessible, and Proudly Digital-First
Chambers are also getting serious about sustainability and access. Physical badges, paper agendas, and single-use swag? They’re out.
Mobile ticketing, digital agendas, and e-swag reduce event waste
ADA-compliant platforms, real-time captioning, and inclusive UX design make events accessible for all members
And because it’s all built into the event planning management software, no one’s stuck manually uploading PDFs or chasing down print vendors
What used to be a side conversation—“Could we make this greener?”—is now central to the strategy. Because sustainability and inclusivity are expectations.
Closing Thoughts
Chambers of commerce aren’t in the business of events, but events are where your value shows up in real time. They’re the stage where your mission becomes visible, your members connect, and your leadership earns its relevance.
But the events that used to work: legacy mixers, seasonal expos, one-size-fits-all breakfasts; are no longer enough. Today’s business community expects more frequency, more flexibility, and more value with less friction.
Doing that well at scale? It doesn’t come from hustle. It comes from infrastructure.
That’s the quiet power of event planning management software. It makes tasks easier and redefines what your chamber is capable of. From driving member engagement to proving sponsor ROI, from reducing administrative drag to surfacing predictive insights. It’s the operational layer you didn’t know you needed until it became the standard.
If your team is spending more time coordinating logistics than cultivating impact, or if your events feel like they’re running, you instead of the other way around, it’s time to change what’s behind the curtain.
Glue Up was built for this. Let’s simplify the complexity, together.
Book a demo today. See how modern chambers are getting more done, with less.
