
What do you need?
Event planning guides, checklists and real results from 32 years and 2,500+ events. Pick what you are working on, or browse everything.
Choosing an event partner
Hiring an event firm is not something most organizations do often, so it is hard to know what to ask. Start with the questions, then see how it turned out for others.

Start here · Article · 3 min
Outsource Your Event Management: Save Time, Money, and Stress
In-house hire or outside team? What an event management team does, and why outsourcing can cost less.
Comparing firms right now? Tell us about your event and get a straight answer on what it will cost.
Making the budget work
Where the savings come from: contract terms, the room block, food and beverage minimums, and when you sign. It is the work behind the 15–40% we are known for.

Start here · Free workbook
Contract Negotiation Guide for Event Planners
Proven negotiation strategies, the risk areas to watch for, and the concessions that add value.
Tell us about your event and we will show you where the savings are.
Planning the event
The timeline, the venue, the plan B, and the numbers worth tracking once it is over.

Start here · Free workbook
A Guide to Creating Your Event Planning Timeline
Key milestones from 12 months out to the day of your event, from setting goals to securing your venue.
Short on time or people? We can take the whole plan, or just the parts you need.
Filling the room
Getting people to register, show up and stay engaged, for attendees, exhibitors and sponsors alike.

Start here · Free workbook
Boosting Attendee Engagement at Events
Seven short questions that take an event from low engagement to highly interactive.
Want more people in the room next year? Tell us about your event.
Greener, more inclusive events
Practical steps toward a lower-waste, more inclusive event, and how to show the results to your board and sponsors.

Start here · Free workbook
Your Strategic Guide to a Greener Event
Prompts, templates and checklists to set and reach your sustainability goals.
Planning a greener event? Tell us your goals and we will build the plan around them.
Free planning guides
Workbooks and checklists from our planners. Each one asks for your name and email, then it is yours.
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Planning
A Guide to Creating Your Event Planning Timeline
Key milestones from 12 months out to the day of your event, from setting goals to securing your venue.
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Planning
Strategic Event Planning Guidelines & Checklist
Set the focus and goals of your event so your whole team works from the same plan.
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Budget
Contract Negotiation Guide for Event Planners
Proven negotiation strategies, the risk areas to watch for, and the concessions that add value.
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Budget
Choosing the Perfect Event Venue
How to evaluate a venue, the hidden costs, contract must-haves, and site-visit red flags.
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Filling the room
Boosting Attendee Engagement at Events
Seven short questions that take an event from low engagement to highly interactive.
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Filling the room
The Ultimate Guide to Trade Show Success
Layout, booth design and engagement ideas, plus pre-event checklists, for organizers and exhibitors.
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Greener events
Your Strategic Guide to a Greener Event
Prompts, templates and checklists to set and reach your sustainability goals.
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Greener events
The Event Vendor’s Guide to Sustainability & ESG
For event vendors: insights, self-assessment tools and templates for greener services.
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Greener events
Practical Sustainability for Centers
For venues: what planners expect, how to earn green certifications, and 14 questions planners may ask.

Browse everything
- Why Taking Time to Refine Event Planning Systems Is a Non-NegotiableNews · Feb 2026
- How to Choose the Right Event Vendor for a Successful EventChoosing a partner · Article · 4 min · Jun 2025
- AI in Event Marketing: Work Smarter, Not HarderFilling the room · Article · 4 min · Jun 2025
- Event Planning Certifications: Are They Worth It?Planning · Article · 3 min · May 2025
- Event Branding Psychology: The Key to Unforgettable ExperiencesFilling the room · Article · 3 min · May 2025
- Event Venues in Long Beach: Your Ultimate Guide to the Best SpacesPlanning · Article · 3 min · Apr 2025
- How to Make Your Event Stand Out in 2025Filling the room · Article · 4 min · Apr 2025
- Event Management Best Practices: The All-Hands MeetingPlanning · Article · 4 min · Feb 2025
- Event Contract Negotiation: Save Big, Plan SmartBudget · Article · 3 min · Feb 2025
- Attendance doubled, and engagement up 92%Filling the room · Case study · Dec 2024
- A festival that beat its attendance target, on a tight budgetFilling the room · Case study · Nov 2024
- How to Master Your Event TimelinePlanning · Article · 3 min · Oct 2024
- Boost Trade Show SuccessFilling the room · Article · 3 min · Sep 2024
- Brought in with twelve weeks to go. Attendance nearly doubled.Planning · Case study · Sep 2024
- Ten years with WIFLE, and 8.5% under budget in 2024Budget · Case study · Sep 2024
- 7 Event KPIs Every Planner Should TrackPlanning · Article · 4 min · Aug 2024
- Four straight years of growth, and a profitable eventFilling the room · Case study · Jul 2024
- Why Events Are Vital in the Era of Hybrid and Remote WorkPlanning · Article · 2 min · Jul 2024
- Master Time Management with Time Blocking and PomodoroPlanning · Article · 2 min · Jun 2024
- A decade of race weekends, with room rates 15% lowerBudget · Case study · Jun 2024
- Event Apps: Boost Engagement, Cut Waste, and Go DigitalFilling the room · Article · 2 min · May 2024
- Your Event Partner for Accredited CE EventsChoosing a partner · News · Apr 2024
- Our Commitment to Sustainable Events and Inclusive Event PlanningGreener events · Article · 3 min · Apr 2024
- Event Planners: The 3rd Most Stressful JobPlanning · Article · 2 min · Apr 2024
- How to Save Money in Event Planning Without Compromising QualityBudget · Article · 2 min · Feb 2024
- CTC Wins 2023 PPAI Silver Award for Sustainable Tradeshow ExcellenceGreener events · News · Feb 2024
- How Internal Events Drive Employee Morale and Team SuccessPlanning · Article · 3 min · Jan 2024
- 3 Lessons Learned From 2023News · Dec 2023
- An empty venue, turned into Fire and Ice, on budgetPlanning · Case study · Oct 2023
- Data-Driven Event PlanningPlanning · Article · 3 min · Oct 2023
- CTC Named WBEC-West’s Supplier of the YearNews · Sep 2023
- The Power of Event Stage DesignFilling the room · Article · 3 min · Sep 2023
- Contingency Planning for EventsPlanning · Article · 2 min · Aug 2023
- 6 Creative Ways to Boost Audience Engagement at Your Next EventFilling the room · Article · 2 min · Aug 2023
- Harness Attendee Feedback: The Post-Event SurveyFilling the room · Article · 2 min · Jul 2023
- Twelve days, three months to plan it, and 11% under budgetBudget · Case study · Jul 2023
- Create Stunning Event Visuals with These 3 Branding TipsFilling the room · Article · 2 min · Jul 2023
- 5 Smart Strategies to Maximize Your Event Budget and Save MoneyBudget · Article · 2 min · Jun 2023
- Top 3 Event Planning Mistakes & How to Avoid ThemPlanning · Article · 2 min · Jun 2023
- Go Green: Sustainable EventsGreener events · Article · 3 min · May 2023
- Outsource Your Event Management: Save Time, Money, and StressChoosing a partner · Article · 3 min · Apr 2023
- Unlocking the Benefits of a Diverse Events IndustryGreener events · Article · 2 min · Feb 2023
- Finding the Right Keynote SpeakerFilling the room · Article · 2 min · Mar 2022
- Choosing Conference SwagFilling the room · Article · 3 min · Feb 2022
- How COVID-19 Changed the Event IndustryPlanning · Article · 2 min · Dec 2021
- Utilizing Breakout Rooms for Your EventPlanning · Article · 2 min · Nov 2021
- Consider These 5 Things When Choosing a Hybrid Event VenuePlanning · Article · 2 min · Oct 2021
- Four Tips to Help Maximize Your Attendee’s Virtual Experience!Planning · Article · 2 min · Mar 2021
- Top 3 Best Practices to Host a Virtual EventPlanning · Article · 2 min · Mar 2021
- 6 Amazing Trade Show Booth Ideas That Fit Your BudgetFilling the room · Article · 3 min · Sep 2018
- The Big Benefits Of RFID At Conferences and Corporate MeetingsPlanning · Article · 3 min · Sep 2018
- Top Tips to Plan and Organize Sustainable EventsGreener events · Article · 3 min · Aug 2018
- 4 Pointers On How To Use A Live Poll For An Engaging Product DemoFilling the room · Article · 3 min · Aug 2018
- Unconventional Event Concepts that Work!Filling the room · Article · 2 min · May 2018
- Speed Networking: Top Tips to Help Build Business Contacts at your Next EventFilling the room · Article · 2 min · May 2018
- Floral Styling and Decor Trends to Make your Event Look BeautifulFilling the room · Article · 2 min · May 2018
- Top 5 Conference Destination Trends to Help you Choose the Perfect LocationPlanning · Article · 3 min · May 2018
- 6 Bright Ideas to Spice Up your Workshop and Engage your GuestsFilling the room · Article · 3 min · Apr 2018
- 7 Tips to Plan your Overseas Conference SuccessfullyPlanning · Article · 2 min · Apr 2018
- Event Management Solutions: Crafting Unforgettable Conference ExperiencesChoosing a partner · Article · 3 min · Mar 2018
- Michelle Manire on Dan Quiggle’s Podcast: Garage to GoliathNews · Mar 2018
- What to Ask When Selecting an Event Planner (7-part series)Choosing a partner · Article · 2 min · Jan 2018
- Marathon Travel, or 20,000 Guests are Coming to VisitPlanning · Article · 2 min · Nov 2017
- Partnering for Success in the Event Planning IndustryChoosing a partner · Article · 3 min · Feb 2017
- CTC Destination & Meeting Management is now Coast to Coast Conferences & EventsNews · Feb 2014

Let’s plan your event.
Share your goals, your audience and your budget. You will get a tailored proposal from our Long Beach team, and a straight answer
about what it will cost.





