Giving yourself a promotion is a surefire way to earn more money in 2026. If you’re an NYC event planner with experience planning large-scale private events, it’s time to move on up into high-paying corporate events. Luxury weddings and upscale bar/bat mitzvahs serve as a valuable education into the complexities and demands of corporate events. Being ready for the big time is one thing. Finding those lucrative corporate clients is another. We got your back with our top tips for landing high-paying corporate event clients.
Turn to Your Network
Your network is the lifeblood of your event planning business. There you find camaraderie, mentorship, and of course, business connections. Ideally, you’ve been nurturing a strong network of professionals who can support you as you grow your event planning business. Use your connections to help you pivot into corporate event planning.
- Use lunch and coffee meetups to reconnect and discuss your goals.
- Contact past clients who work in Corporate America.
- Talk to the best event vendors with whom you’ve had partnerships.
Tap Into the Power of Face-to-Face Meetings
Focus on being face-to-face with people. Meeting with people in person is the most reliable way to build business relationships. According to Display Wizard, 71% of small and medium-sized businesses win sales using face-to-face meetings and networking.
- Expand your networking to include events where corporate decision makers are.
- Make a shortlist of corporations with whom you would like to work and go to their events as much as possible.
- Drop into the reception area of your targeted prospects with gift baskets.
Use Social Media to Warm Up Your Prospects
Perhaps you’ve written off social media as a way to find corporate clients because your Instagram following is mostly moms looking for party ideas. Think again because you’re probably already on the social media platform where corporate decision makers hang out.
According to Hootsuite, 80% of users on LinkedIn “drive business decisions.” And that’s probably why 82% of marketers report that LinkedIn is the platform that reaps the greatest marketing success.
- Post and comment daily on LinkedIn.
- Publish articles about corporate planning on the LinkedIn Publishing Platform.
- Join LinkedIn groups where your targeted prospects hang out.
- Use Google Alerts to keep up on a company’s news, and message key people with a congratulatory note when appropriate.
Meet Your Dream Corporate Client at The Event Planner Expo 2026
Do what 70% of businesses do to get new leads. Seven out of ten businesses get their new leads at trade shows, according to Fit Small Business. The Event Planner Expo 2026 is the event industry’s premier trade show. It’s where NYC planners meet decision makers from top corporations. You can place yourself where they can’t miss you by applying for an exhibition booth. Spots are selling fast. Stay tuned for Expo 2026 date announcements and be ready to secure your spot on the waitlist. You definitely won’t want to miss next year’s conference.
