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MenuI'm launching a marketplace for event vendors to list products/services for planners. Is there demand for this? What challenges are likely to occur?
It would be a platform where event vendors can list their products, rentals, and services, allowing event planners to easily find and purchase everything they need in one place. From your experience in the event planning industry, do you think there is a strong demand for this type of platform? What challenges or opportunities do you foresee for a marketplace that serves both vendors and event organizers?
Answers
The issues are:
1) you have to sign up thousands of suppliers to cover geographic issues
2) You need thousands of event planners to make the platform be of interest to suppliers
3) How will you monitize this (i.e. membership dues, commissin on each transaction)?
4) Tech stack needed is expensive
1. Demand: Yes, there’s strong demand—event planners seek streamlined solutions to find, compare, and book vendors for services and rentals quickly, avoiding fragmented searches across multiple platforms.
2. Challenges:
• Vendor Onboarding: Convincing vendors to join, maintain listings, and provide competitive pricing.
• Trust and Quality: Ensuring vendors deliver reliable, high-quality services to build credibility.
• Monetization and Engagement: Balancing platform fees to attract users while maintaining profitability.
3. Opportunities:
• Niche Differentiation: Specialize in unique categories (e.g., luxury vendors, sustainable events) to stand out.
• Tech Features: Add tools like instant booking, real-time availability, and reviews to enhance user experience.
• Scaling Relationships: Partner with large venues or planners for recurring business and greater visibility.
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