connect event group

What connect event group does

Connect Event Group is a privately held Destination Management Company (DMC) headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The firm plans and executes corporate events, meetings, incentive trips, galas, association conferences, team building programs, and sports-themed events for enterprise clients. It was founded in 2000 as Specialty Planners International (SPI) and rebranded as Connect Event Group on January 31, 2023, simultaneously relocating headquarters to downtown Chattanooga, a move timed to the city's airport expansion and the Volkswagen battery engineering lab development.

The company offers a full-service portfolio organized around three core capabilities — Corporate Event Planning, Meeting Planning, and Incentive Travel Groups — supported by specialized modules including Event Decor, Event Staffing, Entertainment, Hotel & Site Selection, Sports Events, Team Building & CSR Programs, Tours & Activities, and Transportation. All services are delivered by certified meeting and event planners led by Managing Partner Cory Brooks, who holds CMP certification and has nearly three decades of hospitality industry experience.

Connect Event Group operates as a professional services business generating revenue through custom proposals under an enterprise RFP model. Its go-to-market relies on direct sales through a "Request a Proposal" workflow, inbound referrals from preferred hotel and venue partners in Chattanooga, and content marketing across its website, blog, email newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. The company holds memberships in GBTA, MPI, TNSAE, ADMEI, SITE, the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, and the Chattanooga Tourism Company. It is described as an independent, woman-owned business with no disclosed institutional investors.

Name

connect event group

Legal name

Connect Event Group

Website

https://connecteventgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Connect Event Group is a Chattanooga-based Destination Management Company that plans corporate events, meetings, and incentive trips for enterprise clients. Founded in 2000 (rebranded 2023) and led by Managing Partner Cory Brooks, CMP, it delivers full-service event planning through certified meeting professionals in Southeast Tennessee.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Destination Management Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Meeting & Conference Planning & Coordination (HSACADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Meetings & Group Travel Management (Corporate Groups) (THAKAMAC), Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Destination management services
• Corporate event planning
• Meeting planning services
• Incentive travel programs
• Team building events

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Destination Management Services: Connect Event Group generates revenue by providing comprehensive destination management services to corporate clients. This includes event planning, meeting planning, incentive trip planning, event staffing, transportation, tours and activities, team building programs, and venue sourcing. Services are typically quoted and delivered as custom proposals based on client requirements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Connect Event Group is a Destination Management Company that plans and executes corporate events, strategic meetings, incentive trips, sports events, and team building programs. The company delivers a full-service offering covering event decor, staffing, entertainment, hotel and venue site selection, transportation, tours and activities, and CSR programs. Services are tailored for corporate clients and quoted on a custom proposal basis.

Product overview

Connect Event Group is a full-service Destination Management Company (DMC) offering a comprehensive suite of event planning and management services. The company operates as a unified service portfolio organized around core event management capabilities including Corporate Event Planning, Meeting Planning, and Incentive Travel services. These core offerings are supported by specialized service modules including Event Decor, Event Staffing, Entertainment, Hotel & Site Selection, Sports Events, Team Building & CSR Programs, Tours & Activities, and Transportation. All services are delivered by certified meeting and event planners with expertise in the Chattanooga, Tennessee market and beyond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered industry affiliation, local business community and strategic partnership.

• Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Tennessee Chapterindustry affiliationOthersConnect Event Group is a member of the Global Business Travel Association Tennessee Chapter. GBTA is the world's premier business travel and meetings trade organization, providing Connect Event Group with industry networking, education, and best practice resources for serving corporate travel clients.
• MPI (Meeting Professionals International) Tennessee Chapterindustry affiliationOthersConnect Event Group is a member of MPI Tennessee Chapter. MPI is the world's largest meeting and events industry association, providing professional development, networking, and industry resources for meeting planners and DMC professionals.
• Tennessee Society of Association Executives (TNSAE)industry affiliationOthersConnect Event Group is a member of TNSAE, which serves association professionals across Tennessee. This membership supports their work with association clients and provides access to industry trends and education for serving this segment.
• Chattanooga Chamber of Commercelocal business communityOthersConnect Event Group is a member of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating commitment to the local business community and providing networking opportunities with other Chattanooga businesses.
• Chattanooga Tourism Companystrategic partnershipOthersConnect Event Group is a member of the Chattanooga Tourism Company (visitchattanooga.com). This partnership provides access to tourism resources, local attraction information, and coordinated efforts to promote Chattanooga as a premier destination for corporate events and meetings.
• Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI)industry affiliationOthersManaging Partner Cory Brooks is a member of ADMEI, the international trade association for the destination management industry. This membership provides access to industry standards, best practices, and professional credentials for DMC professionals.
• Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Southeast USAindustry affiliationOthersConnect Event Group is a member of SITE Southeast USA, the incentive travel industry association. This membership supports their incentive trip planning services and provides access to global incentive travel best practices and supplier networks.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/connecteventgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connecteventgroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/connecteventgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 connect event group