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Hey There, CEO!

Adding corporate events to your wedding business will boost your revenue without giving up even more weekends! As wedding pros, you could add five figures (or more!) to your bottom line in just one year.

In my latest podcast episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with corporate events powerhouse Susan Southerland. Not only is she a returning guest on the show, but she’s also our new corporate events coach inside the Wedding Pro CEO platform.

She’s sharing all the secrets on how to seamlessly add corporate events to your business. Bonus: If you stick around to the end, you’ll hear about a special offer just for you.

Let’s dive into the strategies you need to book corporate clients, scale your revenue, and enjoy a full calendar in 2025.

1. Why Add Corporate Events to Your Wedding Business?

Why bother with corporate events? Simple—it’s one of the most profitable ways to add an additional revenue stream to your wedding business.

“They can be wildly profitable, and there’s so much less emotion involved. Plus, it’s a great way to get weekday work and fill up your off-season calendar.”
-Susan Southerland

Think about it. Corporate clients operate on budgets, not emotions. The decisions aren’t coming from their personal funds, which means they’re more likely to invest in services that make sense and typically aren’t aware would benefit the event without hesitation.

“$70,000 from just four events? That’s life-changing revenue for a small business—and most of those events aren’t even on weekends!”
-Brandee Gaar

If your weekends are sacred (hello, family time!), corporate events allow you to make serious money during the week without feeling stretched too thin.

2. Success Stories from New Corporate Event Pros

You might be thinking, “This sounds great, but is it realistic for me?” The answer is YES.

Here’s one example from Susan’s beta course:

“One of my students added $70,000 in revenue between February and now—and she still has more in her pipeline. And she did it with just three or four events.”
-Susan Southerland

Another student didn’t set a financial goal but wanted to book three corporate events in a year. Spoiler: She hit that goal! These aren’t pie-in-the-sky numbers—they’re completely attainable for wedding pros with the right strategy.

3. The Key Differences Between Weddings and Corporate Events

If you’re new to corporate events, here’s a major mindset shift: Corporate clients approach things differently.

Susan broke it down perfectly:

“In corporate, it’s about building long-term relationships. It’s not a one-and-done transaction. You’re thinking about your client for the next 10 years, not just the here and now.”
-Susan Southerland

Corporate events are often repeat business. Companies host annual meetings, galas, or conferences, and once they find a planner they trust, they stick with them for years.

“Corporate clients don’t hesitate to spend another $10,000 if it aligns with their goals. It’s a totally different experience from weddings.”
-Susan Southerland

4. How to Start Booking Corporate Events

Ready to dip your toes into the corporate world? Start with what you already have—your network.

“Start with the people you know. You’re already killing it in your wedding business, so start networking with your contacts to build corporate opportunities.”
-Susan Southerland

She also recommends attending professional associations like MPI (Meeting Professionals International), NACE (National Association for Catering and Events), or ILEA (International Live Events Association). Many major cities have local chapters where you can connect with corporate planners and vendors.

Don’t forget about government contracts either! One of Susan’s students became a certified woman-owned business and now bids on lucrative government contracts.

5. Overcoming Pricing Hesitations

One thing many wedding pros struggle with is knowing how to price themselves for corporate events. Spoiler: You’re probably worth more than you think.

“You may find yourself doing a lot of legwork upfront. But if you’re trying to land a $2 million piece of business, it’s worth it.”
-Susan Southerland

The good news? Susan’s course will guide you through creating RFPs (requests for proposals) and navigating pre-contract work so you can approach it with confidence.

Before We Go

Adding corporate events to your wedding business is a no-brainer if you’re ready to grow your revenue in 2025. With the right strategies, you can book weekday events, attract long-term clients, and finally step into a new level of profitability.

If you’re ready to make the leap, don’t miss Susan’s course, Cashing in on Corporate Clients. This is your chance to learn directly from a multi-million-dollar corporate planner. The live course is in January, and it’s the last time Susan will teach it live—so don’t wait!

Click here to grab your seat, and let’s make 2025 your most profitable year yet.

FAQ

Q: Can any wedding pro (not just planners) transition to corporate events?

Absolutely. As Susan said: “You already have the knowledge—you just need to repackage it for corporate clients.”

Q: Do I need to be certified to book corporate clients?

Not necessarily, but certifications like being a woman-owned business or a minority-owned business can open even more doors.

Q: Is it possible to book corporate events without sacrificing weekends?

Yes! Most corporate events happen during the week, which means your weekends stay free.

Q: How much revenue can I realistically expect?

It depends on your market, but many wedding pros add five figures in their first year. One of Susan’s students added $70,000 from just four events!

Check out the video version of the podcast below. 👇
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