Cvent Event Management Reviews

Pros

Cvent makes it very easy to set up and deploy registration websites, manage hotel bookings, flights, and overall user experience. We have been using Cvent for over 5 years and there are always new developments and upgrades being added. There's a huge community of users who also help each other and submit request for new ideas. Cvent is always listening to us and adding new features that enhance our events.

Cons

In the beginning it was a little tricky setting up events. After using it for a few events though, it is now much easier to set up.

Alternatives Considered

EventCreate, Webex Suite and Eventbrite

Reasons for Switching to Cvent Event Management

Ease of use is a big consideration for our marketing team. We also want features and easy registration processes.

Pros

It's got a TON of flexibility that will fit just about every use case. The pricing is really good compared to a lot of other platforms.

Cons

Sometimes you have to do workarounds for things that should just be normal features, such as adding images to the session descriptions.

Alternatives Considered

Stova and Eventsquid

Reasons for Switching to Cvent Event Management

The value for the price was really outstanding. The features that we use would have cost much much more with some of the other platforms or were just completely unavailable.

Pros

There are some really nice tracking features. Unlike many other event management tools, Cvent seems to be more contact based vs. event based. This means that you can track the same people more easily through a series of events, email, and participation history. It is very robust. If you know what you are doing, you can set up an event registration with any combination of options (sessions, various attendee types and registration paths within the same event).

Cons

If you need a simple but stylish event registration, Cvent is not for you (but the price probably already told you that). They obviously recognize that the Standard registration is way to complex for the casual user and the end user interface (the person registering) looks like it was built a decade ago. To address this, Cvent has rolled out "Express" and "Flex" registration to try to simplify the process. In my opinion, these products are awful. They have tried to dumb down the software and make everything drag and drop that it is very difficult to use effectively. There is very little ability to customize the look and feel of event webpages, forms, and emails in this new system.

Pros

CVENT has a lot of capabilities that other platforms do not such as the ability to link questions, have sub questions and do conditional settings. The customer support is great and has always been able to find a solution to my issues.

Cons

There are often many areas you have to modify for a single final action. For example, for an event to be live, you have to have the event live, the registration active AND the admission types active. Some of the design features are very limited and modifying things like images can be very challenging. We often have repeat business and are finding that when we copy an event, there are a lot of hidden settings that get copied over and can make the new copy a bit messy.

Alternatives Considered

Eventsquid and Whova

Reasons for Switching to Cvent Event Management

We also have the On Arrival badging system that works really well.

Pros

Cvent offers a robust event management platform, complemented by an efficient abstract management system. The suite is enriched with extensive training resources, facilitating seamless deployment of event websites and meeting applications.

Cons

We recently encountered a significant issue with Cvent. Despite upgrading our services, we were inaccurately charged for onsite equipment and additional items we no longer utilize. Efforts to resolve this through the sales representative have been ongoing for months, with little progress.

Upon reviewing past communications, it's evident that the charges contradict the terms discussed during our upgrade. The response from the current sales representative, attributing the error to a predecessor and offering a credit conditional on a three-year renewal, is disappointing and unprofessional. This approach has unfortunately tarnished our long-standing relationship with Cvent.

Pros

Their Customer Service product knowledge.

Cons

It can be difficult to search through the vast Knowledge Base

Pros

I like having the ability to execute an event from its inception all the way through execution and post-event using all of the Cvent platform whether it be via the Event Management platform, the mobile app, and onsite management.

Cons

The only con I would say is there is a limit to how customized you can make things at a certain point.

Pros

Excellent customer service and extensive help resources.
Good integration capabilities, it seamlessly connects with other software and platforms.
Suitable for events of all sizes, from small meetings to large conferences.

Cons

May require significant time to fully understand all features.

Pros

It is user-friendly. Cvent offers trainings on the platform, as well as a support phone number and email.

Cons

It can seem overwhelming for a new user. It is so robust and has so many avenues to take. Initial training is needed for a new user, instead of just being self-taught by reading and watching videos alone.

Pros

Cvent Event Management centralize scheduling of hybrid, virtual and in-person events in one place.

Cons

It only support online registration due to lack of offline access.

Pros

Software's online event registration form is easy to use and it adds meeting to outlook calender at ease, user interface is good too

Cons

Nothing i can think of as never faced any issue, however i am sure product updates are always in place to make user experience better

Pros

Its well known and has good basic functionality.

Cons

Expensive and needs some updating. It seems somewhat limited.

Pros

Since it is a CVENT product, any event setup in CVENT can be integrated into CrowdCompass so you can have a full featured app almost completely built without having to do the same work you already did to set the event up originally. Additional customization and options are available to tailor the app experience so it is unique and more useful as a tool for attendees. The best part of it to me is the Map feature where a diagram of the event location can be uploaded and then any area on the map can be pinpointed and associated with other content throughout the app. This means precise locations can be easily pointed out and found by anyone using the feature and it is invaluable for events where there are a lot of different specific spaces. Registration, session rooms, exhibitor booths, meals and breaks can all be pinned and found directly on the map or from their own detail pages.

Cons

It's not their fault but recently due to app regulations, event apps are becoming consolidated into one platform app that contains events from all the clients who use it. This means no branding of your own app with your own name and your attendees having to download a third party app with events other than just yours available in it. In this day and age, privacy protection is very important and there are several ways to handle this in CrowdCompass but all are a bit clunky and add that to the way every company using the software has their events together under the same platform means potential confusion for users when conflicts come up in the shared database. Also, while there is a lot of integration and duplication ability, there are still several features that don't have the ability to be duplicated so a lot of duplicate work needs to be done if you have a similar event that happens on a regular basis.

Pros

I have been using Cvent for over 2 years now and would recommend it to any company that is looking for a platform to manage events. We utilize it for event webpages, capturing attendee info, reporting, lead scoring for those that attend or participate at our events, OnArrival check in and the supplier network to source venues. There are many more functions of the program that can cater to your company needs and they continue to integrate with additional companies to help in having everything you need within 1 system. Cvent also released a new version of their program called FLEX which allows planners to design their own webages without being knowledged in HTML which has been a lifesaver!

Cons

I think because there are so many ways you can use the software, it takes a little time to figure out what exact configurations you need. It has been a trial and error in creating our events initially, but I think we are finally at a place where our team feels comfortable and confident with the platform and how we set up our events.

Pros

The Cvent platform saved graduation! Our K-12 school operates in an ever-evolving atmosphere, and Cvent allowed us to pivot on a dime during the pandemic. We were able to grant a better than expected graduation experience to the Class of 2020 through the help of Cvent and Crowd Compass. We have upped our game in communicating with our participants registering several devices. We are kicking off the new school year with season ticket passes for sale through Cvent. We just finished up an elementary summer camp that consisted of over 113 different camp sessions. Our event manager was able to keep track of 5 additional weeks of camps with over 113 sessions and 325 registrants. She loved the flexibility of OnArrival because she was able to register walk-ups on site.

Cons

We are stretching the platform further than the platform can perform. We have minor children without email addresses, and that tends to confuse the parents who are trying to register these children for our events.

Pros

Cvent's Event Management solution truly automates your meetings & events marketing, registration and check-in processes. Upload your attendees with from an Excel or CSV file. Create and send save the date, registration open, reminder emails and practically anything else you can think of to effectively market your meetings & events. Check your registration numbers at-a-glance. Run reports to see who registered, who didn't, and even who is possibly thinking about it with the abandoned registrations feature. My favorite tool is OnArrival (event check-in). Put those days behind you of paper tickets, attendee checklists, and long lines & chaos at the registration table. Upon arrival, your attendees check-in on an iPad, or you can scan them with a mobile device, and look cutting edge while doing it!!!

Cons

I would say that Cvent's Event Management platform, like any other tech platform, has a learning curve a moderate one. Setting up my first event was challenging even with training. To my surprise, setting up my second event was even more challenging. Partly because I challenged myself to create vs. copy (feature) my second event from scratch. Due to the platform's many, and I do mean many, features and functionality, I found it difficult to remember all the steps (menu navigation) to create an event. Undeterred, I contacted Cvent's Customer Support (really Customer Care as they go the mile for you) to help me create my second event. For the second time around, I worked smarter and documented all the steps. I can honestly say, it's been smooth sailing ever since! If I run into a snag or have a question, I contact Customer Support or look to my Cvent Community for help. There are many meetings & events solutions out there, but it's hard to beat one of the first and best to market! Stop searching and give Cvent a try.

Pros

After many work arounds you can make this software work. Does it do everything they promise and seamless like they promised, no. We didn't pay tons of money (triple our other vendor offering the same thing) to have to do workarounds and have to still purchase additional better software to get the job done. So much for being the "leader in the industry".

Cons

There are too many things to count. Simple things that you would think would be obvious are not options. This was supposed to be a partenrship not a battle. We have a LONG list of things they promised that they could not deliver. Promised features that are a year away from development, with no mention it's years away. Once you sign the dotted line the restrictions soon follow. Do NOT sign with them.

Pros

The integration start to finish can cover anything you need for an event. The software is very robust to allow you to customize for almost any scenario. Registration options are very good for multiple registrations and easy to modify or switch. Customer service is very helpful when you need it.

Cons

Along with the robustness of the software, certain quirks come with it. Some events have a lot of repetitive tasks you have to complete to get it all working properly and some items are hard to find.

Pros

Cvent's event management solution has plenty of flexible features that make logistics including registration and session tracking a breeze for busy event planners. Plus, the customer service is second to none. (Seriously, one call to their support line will transform the way that you think about help & support lines.)

Cons

It can take a while to learn the ropes and feel comfortable navigating across the platform. That said, after you get the hang of it, using the event management tool will be like second nature.

Pros

Our company has the ability to reach our entire U.S. client base with only a few clicks. We can communicate with them with ease, offer registration for virtual and in-person events, track people, financials, communications, substitutions, attendance, and lots more. The new Flex version of the platform gives you the ability to create more workable and attractive registration sites. The reporting is a dream, and the learning curve can be adjusted by relying on other Cvent users in the vast and extremely knowledgeable Cvent community.

Cons

There is a learning curve when moving to this platform. It can take a while to find all of those little checkboxes that may cause something to work just a little wonky.

Pros

The software is so customizable. It will fit any events needs from inception to post event follow up. With the new interface Flex, it’s better than ever. It is mobile ready with responsive design and customizable event pages to create professional looking website that rival Wix and Squarespace.
And definitely take advantage of the onsite solutions as well as the mobile event apps.

Cons

It’s expensive, but you really get what you pay for. It’s the best solution out there. You’ll save money elsewhere, but you’ll be compensation the integrity of your event.

Alternatives Considered

Eventbrite

Pros

Vast functionality which ticks all of our boxes as a business. We not only use cvent to facilitate virtual events, but also hybrid and in person too. We enjoy using the on arrival software for checking attendees into events, which speeds up the entire process and provides realtime data on how attendance is going throughout the arrival period.Setting up event and registration pages is easy, interactive and the front end always looks great and provides an overall easy experience for our registerting attendees.

Cons

Sometimes the simple functionality is made overly complex in cvent to actually deliver. But when it is, it works great.Their badge printing needs to be easier to facilitate.

Pros

I like the ability to print name badges on site. Also the updated website building module in Abstract Management made our submission process a lot easier and more fun. CrowdCompass is a great app. I am looking forward to the FLEX update.

Cons

Abstract Management still doesn't have the ability to push through sessions to Event Management. The website building capabilities in Event Management are not great - they look like 90s templates. I know that Cvent is changing this to be more like Abstract with FLEX. CrowdCompass' map does not have the ability to give a user directions to where they need to go. Event-In-A-Box, while great for probably most use cases, included materials we did not need.

Pros

Cvent is very easy to explore and use. It offers a great deal of customization and has a plethora of modules to add on that can grow your and your attendees' experience. The customer service is round the clock and everyone is very knowledgeable. The people assigned to your account as well as the custom service folks on the phone are also incredible in helping you work out issues and build on ideas.

Cons

The cost. In a nonprofit getting the business case for putting more money toward something, even if we could really build something strong and grow our attendees' experiences is hard to convince when the contract costs are still fairly high.

Pros

The full 'end to end' solution is the great thing about Cvent, from registering the need for a meeting or event, through to sourcing, event website, attendee invites (with a whole load of functionality) through budgets, on-site management and ROI.

Cons

Cvent is very complex which limits adoption. Inevitably, with such a great end to end solution, complexity is expected, but nevertheless this is the unfortunate downside...