Venue West Conference Services

What Venue West Conference Services does

Venue West Conference Services, operating as Global Planning Solutions since a 2025 rebrand, is a Vancouver-based B2B professional services firm specializing in end-to-end conference, event, and association management. Founded in 1970, the company serves associations and organizations across life sciences, animal health, technology, and environmental sectors, delivering integrated experiences spanning conferences, social events and tours, digital marketing, site selection, virtual and hybrid event formats, exhibition management, and association management. The firm executes events globally with documented execution presence across multiple international destinations, supported by regional partnerships with Destination Vancouver, Business Events Victoria, and Destination Toronto, and active memberships in six major industry associations including IAPCO, ICCA, PCMA, MPI, CSAE, and IAEE.

The company operates as a privately held, founder-led (Mae Yee, Olga Nazarchuk, Lou Cox) boutique services firm with 11-50 employees, distinguishing itself from technology-platform competitors by emphasizing consultative service delivery, global site selection relationships, and domain expertise across specific verticals. No proprietary technology platform is disclosed; the offering centers on professional services rather than licensed software or SaaS products. The revenue model is project-based professional services fees with likely ongoing retainer arrangements for association management clients, and pricing is quote-based and tailored to individual client event scope and complexity.

Distribution is primarily through direct, relationship-driven B2B sales targeting enterprise-level associations and organizations, supplemented by industry association memberships as credibility and networking channels. The company maintains a presence on LinkedIn, X-Twitter, and Instagram, with the corporate website (globalplanning.ca) serving as the primary inbound marketing asset. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and there is no evidence of institutional investment, venture capital backing, or public listing.

Name

Venue West Conference Services

Legal name

Global Planning Solutions

Website

https://venuewest.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Venue West Conference Services (Global Planning Solutions) is a Vancouver-based B2B professional services firm that manages conferences, events, exhibitions, and association services for organizations across life sciences, animal health, technology, and environmental sectors globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conference and Event Management Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Food Service Contractors (722310)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Meeting & Conference Planning & Coordination (HSACADAA), Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM)

Keywords

• Conference management services
• Association event planning
• Exhibition and trade show management
• Virtual hybrid event services
• Corporate site selection

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Conference and Events Management Services: Professional services revenue model providing end-to-end conference, exhibition, and event planning and execution. Services include conferences and events, social events and tours, digital and marketing, site selection, virtual and hybrid events, exhibition management, and association management. Revenue is likely generated through project-based professional services fees and ongoing retainer arrangements with association clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Venue West Conference Services (now Global Planning Solutions) provides end-to-end conference and event management services for associations and organizations. Core offerings include conference planning and execution, social events and tours, digital marketing, site selection and venue sourcing, virtual and hybrid event delivery, exhibition/tradeshow management, and ongoing association management. Services are delivered through project-based engagements and ongoing retainer arrangements tailored to client needs.

Product overview

Global Planning Solutions (formerly Venue West Conference Services Ltd.) offers an integrated suite of conference and event management services. The core offerings include Conferences and Events, Social Events & Tours, Digital Marketing, Site Selection, Virtual & Hybrid experiences, Exhibition Management, and Association Management. These services work together as a unified platform enabling associations and organizations across life sciences, animal health, technology, and environmental sectors to deliver integrated conference, marketing, exhibition, and digital experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conferences and Events End-to-end conference and event planning and execution for associations and organizations, providing expert guidance, proven planning expertise, and a global strategy for seamless, high-impact events from concept to completion.
• Social Events and Tours Intentionally designed social events as extensions of the conference experience, ranging from intimate leadership dinners and networking events to large-scale gala evenings.
• Digital Marketing Integrated digital platforms and targeted marketing services that drive engagement, simplify event delivery, and extend the reach and impact of virtual, hybrid, and in-person events.
• Site Selection Destination and venue identification service using deep market knowledge and global relationships to identify destinations and venues that bring event visions to life.
• Virtual and Hybrid Events Virtual and hybrid experience design focused on intentional, inclusive, and fully integrated digital environments for participants joining in person, remotely, or across multiple locations.
• Exhibition Management High-impact exhibition experience design to maximize ROI, enhance attendee engagement, and create meaningful connections between exhibitors and delegates.
• Association Management Ongoing operational support for associations including efficient operations, meaningful member engagement, and experienced leadership to support long-term success.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organisers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership providing access to professional congress organization standards, networking, and industry recognition. IAPCO is a global organization setting standards for professional congress organizers.
• ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership providing access to the international congress and convention community, market intelligence, and networking opportunities worldwide.
• PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership providing professional development, networking, and industry resources for meeting and convention professionals.
• MPI (Meeting Professionals International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership providing networking, education, and professional development resources for meeting and event professionals.
• CSAE (Canadian Society of Association Executives)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian industry association membership providing resources, networking, and professional development for association executives.
• IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership providing standards, education, and networking for exhibitions and events industry professionals.
• Destination VancouverregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Vancouver's destination marketing organization providing local venue knowledge, destination expertise, and regional event coordination.
• Business Events VictoriaregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Victoria's business events organization providing regional venue and destination coordination capabilities.
• Destination TorontoregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Toronto's destination marketing organization providing local venue knowledge, destination expertise, and regional event coordination.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• MCI Group: MCI Group is the world's largest independent PCO and association management firm, offering association conferences, events, and engagement services globally. Comparable to GPS as a direct competitor in association-led conference management, but at vastly larger scale with full worldwide offices.
• BCD Meetings & Events: BCD Meetings & Events is a top-tier global meetings and events agency serving both corporate and association clients with strategic meetings management. Comparable to GPS in meeting planning and event execution, but operates at significantly larger scale with full technology stack.

Direct peers

• Gaining Edge: Gaining Edge is an international PCO specializing in association conferences, particularly in life sciences and medical sectors. Closely comparable to GPS in vertical focus (scientific/medical associations), PCO service mix, and association-first go-to-market.
• Kellen Company: Kellen Company is an association management and PCO firm providing full-service conference, exhibition, and association management to trade and professional associations. Directly comparable to GPS in association management + conference bundling and vertical specialization model.
• Conferences & Incentives Worldwide (C&IW): C&IW is a global meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) agency serving associations and corporations with end-to-end conference planning. Comparable to GPS in PCO service scope, global execution, and association client base.
• HelmsBriscoe: HelmsBriscoe is the largest dedicated site selection and venue sourcing firm globally, serving association and corporate meetings. Comparable to GPS as a direct overlap in site selection services for association clients, though GPS offers broader event execution.
• Associations International: Associations International is an association management firm providing conference, membership, and full-service association operations to global trade associations. Directly comparable to GPS in the association management + conference bundled model.
• ConferenceDirect: ConferenceDirect is a global meetings solutions company offering site selection, registration, housing, and conference management services. Comparable to GPS across site selection, registration, and conference logistics, with overlapping association client base.

Emerging players

• Cvent: Cvent is a leading event management technology platform offering registration, venue sourcing, and event software for meetings and conferences. Comparable to GPS as a competitor in the virtual/hybrid and site selection layers of association event delivery, though as a tech platform rather than a PCO.
• Bizzabo: Bizzabo is an event experience platform offering virtual, hybrid, and in-person event software to conferences and associations. Comparable to GPS as a complementary/disruptive technology provider for the virtual & hybrid layer of association event delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/venue_west
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/venue-west-conference-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/globalplannings
• Facebookfacebook.com/venuewestconference

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Venue West Conference Services