How can venue sourcing be provided at no additional cost?
A common question from procurement teams is 'what will this cost us?' For venue sourcing, the answer is often nothing extra — where the venue operates a commission model. Here's how that works, and where a fee can apply.
How venue commission works
Many corporate venues operate agency commission models — paying a percentage to the agency or partner that refers confirmed business, much like travel or recruitment. Where a venue participates, we can be remunerated by the venue rather than by you. It is not universal: arrangements vary by venue, and some venues or elements may not be commissionable at all. We explain the mechanics in venue commission explained.
- Where a venue participates in a commission model, venue sourcing can typically be provided at no additional cost to you.
- Commission varies by venue and may not apply to every booking.
- Some elements may not be commissionable — AV is a common example.
- Where a requirement is materially non-commissionable, any applicable fee is agreed with you transparently, in advance.
- Additional event management, production, consultancy or specialist services may carry separate charges, always stated up front.
What you get, and how it's paid for
Where a venue participates in a commission model, you receive professional venue sourcing, benchmarking, negotiation and reporting — typically without an additional venue-finding fee. Where a requirement isn't commissionable, we say so and agree any fee before you commit. Either way, pricing is transparent and agreed in advance.
Sourcing vs. what carries a charge
| Usually no additional client cost | May carry a separate, agreed fee |
|---|---|
| Venue sourcing at commissionable venues | Materially non-commissionable requirements |
| Proposal gathering and comparison | Full event management |
| Benchmarking and negotiation of the venue | Production, staging and specialist services |
| Central spend capture and reporting | Bespoke consultancy engagements |
Full transparency
We will always tell you which elements are covered by commission and which, if any, carry a fee — agreed in advance — and we disclose commission arrangements on request. Transparency is central to how a credible outsourced event procurement partner should operate.