Conferli - The conference matchmaking platform

What Conferli - The conference matchmaking platform does

Conferli B.V., founded in 2020 and headquartered in Zeist, Netherlands, operates a cloud-based SaaS platform that facilitates three-way matchmaking between professional associations (as supply-side organizers), conference venues, and cities/countries (as destination supply) plus professional conference organizers. The platform uses smart matching algorithms, an independent benchmarking dashboard, and RFP workflow tools to compress the lead time association planners spend selecting destinations and venues, with criteria including delegate count, hotel room availability, topics, SDGs, sustainability commitments, and airport/train proximity. Supporting modules include BoardBase (paid lead generation for association board recruitment) and Conferli Academy (consultancy, workshops, and masterclasses for convention bureaus, venues, and associations), alongside free City Match and Country Match tools used as SEO-driven acquisition surfaces.

The company monetizes via a freemium marketplace model: associations access the platform at no cost (generating marketplace liquidity), while cities and countries pay annual subscriptions and venues pay both subscriptions and a fixed transaction percentage on bookings routed through the platform. Academy generates professional services revenue, and BoardBase generates data services revenue. Go-to-market blends product-led growth (self-serve association onboarding and free matching tools), sales-led motion (30-minute demo bookings), community-led motion (Future Talks and Future Thoughts webinar series), and channel partnerships (UIA, GDS-Movement, Meet4Impact, BEFuture). Conferli maintains an 8-person team led by founders Nienke van der Malen (CEO) and Bregje Frens (CCO), operates without disclosed external funding, and serves customers globally with a particular density of European destinations.

Name

Conferli - The conference matchmaking platform

Legal name

Conferli B.V.

Website

https://conferli.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Conferli is a cloud-based conference matchmaking platform that connects professional associations with cities, countries, and venues through three-way matching and independent benchmarking tools. It serves associations, convention bureaus, national tourism boards, venues, and conference organizers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conference & Event Technology Software

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Meeting & Conference Planning & Coordination (HSACADAA), Venue Sourcing & Site Coordination (HSACAAAD)

Keywords

• Conference matchmaking platform
• Destination selection software
• Venue finding tools
• Association event planning
• RFP management software

Headquarters

HQ city

Zeist

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Venue Transaction Fees: Venues pay a fixed percentage calculated over the value of the quote or definite booking through the platform. This is the primary revenue stream tied to successful matches.
2. City/Country Membership Subscriptions: Cities and countries pay subscription fees for annual memberships to access the platform and marketing opportunities. Agreement is for one year with automatic renewal.
3. Consultancy Services: Academy offers tailor-made consultancy, workshops, and masterclasses for convention bureaus, venues, municipalities, and associations. Services include lead generation, destination selection, stakeholder management, branding, and audit & strategy.
4. Association Access (Free Tier): Associations access the platform completely free of charge. This creates the marketplace liquidity needed for venue and destination revenue streams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Conferli operates a cloud-based conference matchmaking platform that connects professional associations with cities, countries, and venues for association conference planning. The platform uses smart matching algorithms and independent benchmarking data to shortlist destinations, manage RFP/tender workflows, and integrate hotel booking. Associations access the platform free of charge; cities, countries, and venues pay subscriptions and venues also pay transaction fees on bookings.

Product overview

Conferli operates as a unified conference matchmaking platform that connects associations, conference organizers with cities, countries, and venues. The core product is the Conferli Platform, which uses independent benchmarking and criteria-based matching to streamline destination and venue selection. Supporting the platform are several modules: BoardBase (strategic lead generation for identifying board members), and Conferli Academy (consultancy and training services). The platform also offers free standalone benchmarking tools for city and country matching. All components work together to simplify RFP processes, enable benchmarking comparisons, and facilitate three-way matching between associations, destinations, and venues.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Conferli Academy: A division offering tailor-made consultancy, workshops and masterclasses to convention bureaus, venues, municipalities and associations, covering lead generation, destination selection, sales, marketing, branding, strategy and business development.

Products and services

• Conferli Platform Core SaaS product: a conference matchmaking platform connecting professional associations with cities, countries, and venues. Includes three-way matching, benchmarking, RFP/tender workflow, hotel booking, and access for association buyers (free) and destination/venue suppliers (paid).
• Conferli Academy Professional services division offering tailor-made consultancy, workshops, and masterclasses covering lead generation, destination selection, stakeholder management, branding, sales, marketing, and audit & strategy for convention bureaus, venues, municipalities, and associations.
• BoardBase Strategic lead generation service that conducts research and outreach to help destinations identify suitable board members for associations and organizations.
• Free City Match Tool Free standalone benchmarking tool matching conference criteria (delegates, hotel rooms, topics, SDGs, sustainability) with suitable cities.
• Free Country Match Tool Free standalone tool matching conference criteria (delegates, hotel rooms, subjects, SDGs, exhibition space) with suitable countries, with inclusion/exclusion filters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Associations receive multiple venue and destination options tailored to their specific criteria
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• UIA (Union of International Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUIA is an independent research institute serving as a repository for information on international associations and INGOs. Provides current and historical data on global civil society, international organizations, and their meeting activities. Collaboration supports Conferli's data-driven matching approach.
• The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDS-Movement unites and enables destination management professionals to create flourishing and resilient places. Their mission is to co-create sustainable and circular strategies, mindsets, and skill sets for destinations of the future. Alignment with Conferli's sustainability-focused matching features including SDG filtering.
• Meet4ImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization transforming events into tools for meaningful, lasting change. Helps organizations define, measure, and communicate societal impact. Ensures events create real value for communities beyond short-term results. Supports Conferli's impact measurement focus.
• BEFuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded project shaping a more sustainable, innovative, and resilient Business Events sector across Europe. Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and fosters collaboration within the industry. Drives meaningful change prioritizing sustainability, inclusivity, and long-term impact through research, capacity building, and innovation programmes.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Eventbrite: Eventbrite is a large-scale event management and ticketing platform serving event organizers globally. Comparable to Conferli in the broader event-tech category, though Eventbrite is more consumer-ticketing focused and less specialized in association conference venue/ destination sourcing.
• Bizzabo: Bizzabo is an event experience platform offering registration, networking, and analytics for conferences. Comparable to Conferli in targeting association and professional conferences, though Bizzabo's focus is broader event experience rather than venue/destination matchmaking.
• Cvent: Cvent is the leading event management platform with venue sourcing, RFP management, and event marketing tools. Directly comparable to Conferli's venue/city matchmaking and RFP workflow automation, though Cvent serves a much broader event-management scope including corporate events.
• ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association): ICCA is the global membership organization for the international association meetings industry, maintaining databases of association meetings and connecting suppliers with organizers. Comparable to Conferli as both serve association conference decision-making and connect venues/destinations with association buyers.

Others

• Meeting Professionals International (MPI): MPI is a global association for meeting and event professionals offering education, certification, and networking. Comparable to Conferli as both operate in the conference/meeting professional ecosystem, though MPI is a professional association rather than a technology platform.
• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): ASAE is a membership organization for association professionals that provides education, research, and resources for association event planning. Comparable to Conferli as both support association professionals in conference planning, though ASAE is a membership/education body rather than a software platform.

Regional players

• IMEX Group: IMEX operates flagship MICE trade shows (IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America) that connect destinations, venues, and association buyers. Comparable to Conferli as both serve the association conference marketplace, though IMEX is a physical trade show rather than a software platform.

Direct peers

• Swapcard: Swapcard is an event platform offering matchmaking, networking, and content features for trade shows and conferences. Comparable to Conferli in delivering matchmaking between event participants and offers technology-driven matching for association events.
• Simpleview: Simpleview provides CRM, marketing, and website platforms specifically for destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and convention bureaus. Comparable to Conferli as both serve the destination marketing ecosystem with technology, though Simpleview focuses on DMO operating systems rather than association-to-destination matchmaking.
• Eventsforce: Eventsforce provides event management software with attendee management, registration, and engagement tools for conferences. Comparable to Conferli in serving conference planners, though focused on attendee management rather than venue/destination matchmaking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/conferli

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Conferli - The conference matchmaking platform