Based on looking at the website, Planned.com positions itself as an all-in-one solution for corporate travel and events, streamlining the entire process from sourcing to payment.

It aims to reduce friction, save costs, and provide greater visibility for companies managing their meeting and event M&E spend.

The platform emphasizes its “white-glove service” combined with technology to accelerate event planning, enforce policies, and generate savings, making it an attractive proposition for organizations looking to optimize their M&E programs.

Planned.com appears to address a significant pain point for many businesses: the often fragmented and inefficient process of organizing corporate events and travel.

By centralizing booking, contracting, and payment, the platform promises efficiency gains, cost reductions, and enhanced compliance.

Its value proposition centers on empowering stakeholders to manage events with greater ease while providing financial controllers and procurement teams with much-needed oversight and control over spending.

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Table of Contents

Unpacking Planned.com’s Core Offering

Planned.com’s primary service revolves around simplifying corporate event and travel management.

They claim to offer an end-to-end solution that takes the headache out of booking venues, vendors, and travel arrangements, all while ensuring compliance and cost savings.

Think of it as a specialized platform that aims to be your command center for all things M&E.

The “Source to Pay” Ecosystem

Planned.com highlights a comprehensive “source to pay” model, which is crucial for corporate clients.

This means they handle everything from the initial request for proposal RFP to the final payment. Zenpreneur.com Reviews

This integrated approach is designed to reduce the administrative burden on internal teams.

Sourcing: They aim to streamline the search for venues, hotels, and vendors globally. The website mentions prioritizing NDC content, pre-negotiated deals, and leveraging preferred suppliers to get the best rates.
Contracting: Planned.com claims to facilitate contract execution, allowing them to push your addendum and execute contracts on your behalf. This is a significant advantage, potentially saving legal review time.
Payments: The platform empowers stakeholders to pay directly upon approval and track actual spend, which is key for financial reconciliation and budget adherence.
Control and Visibility: They emphasize custom notifications and tracking tools to maintain oversight, especially for larger or complex contracts. This visibility is critical for budget management and compliance.

White-Glove Service Meets Tech

One of Planned.com’s key selling points is its blend of human expertise and technological efficiency. They don’t just provide a platform. they offer a service layer.

Expert Agents: The site states they provide “expert agents to source, negotiate, and pay, with your policies in mind.” This suggests a hands-on approach where human specialists guide the process.
24/7 Support: Access to a global network of expert travel agents or self-serve options for changes and cancellations indicates a commitment to continuous support.
Transparency: They assure users will “always see which suppliers receive your RFP” and can provide feedback at any time, aiming to build trust through clear communication.
Policy Enforcement: The platform is designed to embed “sophisticated Travel & Events policies into your users’ workflows,” which is vital for large organizations to maintain compliance and control spending.

Addressing Key Pain Points in Corporate Events

Corporate event planning is notoriously complex, often involving multiple stakeholders, budgets, and compliance requirements.

Planned.com positions itself as a solution to several common challenges.

Efficiency and Automation

Event planning can be a massive time sink. Changeflow.com Reviews

Planned.com aims to drastically cut down the time required.

Faster Sourcing: They claim to achieve “from event brief to contract sent in 7 days,” which is significantly faster than traditional methods. This speed is attributed to their technology and white-glove service.
Automated Approval Flows: The platform is designed to automate approval processes, helping to avoid bottlenecks and last-minute requests that often plague event planning.
Reduced Manual Work: By centralizing processes and automating tasks like payment facilitation, they aim to “skip the onboarding work” and reduce the manual burden on internal teams.

Cost Savings and ROI

For businesses, the bottom line is paramount.

Planned.com makes bold claims about financial benefits.

12% Savings: The website states clients can “Save 12% on your entire T&E budget.” This is a substantial figure and, if achievable, would represent significant value.
Negotiating Power: They claim to “gain negotiating power by combining your travel and events data,” suggesting that aggregating spend across different event types can lead to better deals with suppliers.
Cash Back on Room Blocks: The promise to “reduce attrition, get cash back” on room blocks is an attractive incentive, addressing a common financial concern for event planners.

Compliance and Visibility

Large organizations need strict control over spending and adherence to internal policies.

Planned.com highlights features designed to meet these needs. Kipe.com Reviews

Centralized Control Panel: A single control panel is touted as the hub for managing compliance, efficiency, and savings across the entire program.
Policy Embedment: The ability to embed “sophisticated Travel & Events policies” directly into user workflows helps ensure that all bookings and expenditures align with company rules.
Spend Tracking: Comprehensive tracking of “spend and savings for your entire program” provides critical data for financial reporting and future budget planning. This level of granular insight is often missing in traditional methods.

The Marketplace and Supplier Network

A strong network of suppliers is essential for any event planning platform.

Planned.com emphasizes the breadth and quality of its marketplace.

Global Reach and Diverse Suppliers

They claim to offer “more than just venues,” curating “the best suppliers across the globe.” This global reach is critical for companies with international operations or those planning events in various locations.

Variety of Services: Beyond just venues, they mention food & beverage, AV, equipment & decor, and speakers, indicating a comprehensive supplier base for all aspects of an event.
Curated Network: The term “curates the best suppliers” suggests a vetting process, aiming to provide clients with reliable and high-quality options.
Supplier Prioritization: They state they “prioritize NDC content, pre-negotiated deals, and your preferred suppliers,” which implies a smart system for optimizing choices based on cost and existing relationships.

Examples of Featured Suppliers

While specific names are mentioned on their homepage e.g., Contra Studios, Pullman Quay, Dr.

Yvonne Darlene Cagle, these serve as examples of the types of providers available. Begenieus.com Reviews

It suggests a mix of well-known establishments and specialist vendors, catering to diverse event needs.

This also implies they have established relationships within the industry.

What Users Are Saying Based on Website Testimonials

The “how we help our enterprise clients” section offers a direct testimonial, which provides insights into their perceived value.

Scaling M&E Volume

The quote from a “Global Head of Meetings & Events Big Four accounting firm” states, “Planned is brilliant.

It lets us scale up our M&E volume through preferred suppliers without employing a massive team of planners.” Pika-2.com Reviews

Implication for Growth: This highlights the platform’s ability to support organizational growth in event planning without a proportionate increase in internal staffing. This efficiency gain is a significant draw for large enterprises.
Leveraging Preferred Suppliers: The emphasis on “preferred suppliers” reinforces their commitment to working within existing corporate relationships and potentially negotiating better terms based on volume.
Reduced Headcount Needs: The direct mention of not needing a “massive team of planners” speaks to a clear return on investment ROI by reducing overhead costs associated with event management.

Data-Driven Success Stories

The website also points to specific case studies or reports, such as “Big Four Firm Reports 12% Reduction in Events Spending” and “Planned raises $35M to build the future of Travel and Events.”

Quantifiable Results: The 12% reduction in spending reiterates their cost-saving claims with a tangible example. Such data points are crucial for convincing potential enterprise clients.
Investor Confidence: The mention of significant funding $35M Series B, total $65M indicates investor confidence in their business model and future growth potential. This also suggests stability and resources for further development.

The Technological Backbone

While emphasizing service, Planned.com clearly relies heavily on its technology to deliver its promises.

The platform’s efficiency and automation capabilities are key differentiators.

Policy Engine and Workflows

A sophisticated policy engine is vital for large corporations. Planned.com addresses this head-on.

Configurable Policies: The ability to “embed sophisticated Travel & Events policies into your users’ workflows” implies a highly configurable system where rules can be set for different departments, spend limits, or event types.
Automated Approvals: This engine likely drives automated approval flows, ensuring that requests are routed to the correct decision-makers quickly, minimizing manual intervention and delays.
Compliance Assurance: By enforcing policies digitally, companies can significantly reduce the risk of non-compliant spending or unauthorized bookings, thereby improving overall governance.

Data Integration and Reporting

Effective M&E management requires robust data. Planned.com aims to provide this. Chat-data.com Reviews

Consolidated Data: The platform centralizes data from various sources – sourcing, contracting, and payments – into one control panel. This consolidation is crucial for a holistic view of event spend.
Spend and Savings Tracking: Detailed tracking capabilities allow companies to monitor “spend and savings for your entire program.” This provides invaluable insights for budget reconciliation, identifying areas for further optimization, and demonstrating ROI.
Negotiating Insights: By combining travel and events data, the platform could theoretically offer insights that enhance negotiating power with suppliers, leading to better rates in the long run.

Target Audience and Ideal Client Profile

Based on its features and stated benefits, Planned.com is clearly designed for a specific type of organization.

Enterprise and Large Corporations

The language used, such as “Big Four accounting firm” testimonials, “enterprise clients,” and discussions of “scaling M&E volume” and “sophisticated Travel & Events policies,” strongly suggests that Planned.com targets large businesses and corporations.

High Event Volume: Companies with a significant number of events annually, ranging from internal meetings to large-scale conferences, would benefit most from the automation and centralization offered.
Complex Internal Structures: Organizations with multiple departments, diverse policy requirements, and a need for granular spend control are ideal candidates.
Global Footprint: For companies managing events across different regions or countries, Planned.com’s global supplier network and 24/7 support would be highly valuable.

Meeting & Event Planners, Procurement, and Finance Teams

While the platform streamlines processes for all users, it particularly benefits specific roles within an organization.

M&E Planners: They gain efficiency through faster sourcing, automated workflows, and expert support, allowing them to focus on the creative and strategic aspects of event planning.
Procurement Teams: They achieve better control over vendor selection, contract management, and pricing, leading to increased savings and compliance with preferred supplier agreements.
Finance Teams: They benefit from enhanced visibility into spend, accurate tracking, and simplified payment processes, which aids in budget reconciliation, forecasting, and audit readiness.

Future Outlook and Market Position

Planned.com’s recent Series B funding indicates strong investor confidence and a clear intention to expand its capabilities and market reach.

Expansion and Development

The $35M Series B funding, bringing the total raised to $65M, suggests a focus on continuous development and potentially geographic expansion. This capital infusion will likely be used to: Aipdf.com Reviews

Enhance Platform Features: Invest in further automation, AI-driven insights, and user experience improvements.
Grow Supplier Network: Expand relationships with more venues and vendors globally, offering greater choice and potentially better deals.
Increase Market Share: Aggressively pursue new enterprise clients and solidify its position as a leading M&E management platform.

Competitive Landscape

The M&E technology market is competitive, with various event management software EMS and travel management companies TMCs offering different functionalities.

Planned.com’s unique selling proposition appears to be its “white-glove service meets tech” approach and its end-to-end “source to pay” focus specifically for corporate events and travel.

This holistic approach differentiates it from platforms that might specialize in only one aspect e.g., just venue booking or just expense management. Its emphasis on cost savings and policy compliance also positions it strongly against traditional, less integrated solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Planned.com?

Planned.com is an end-to-end platform designed for corporate travel and event management, streamlining everything from sourcing venues and vendors to contracting and payments for businesses.

How does Planned.com help companies save money?

Planned.com claims to help companies save money by facilitating faster sourcing, leveraging negotiating power through combined travel and event data, offering cash back on room blocks, and automating processes to reduce administrative costs. Dialaxy.com Reviews

What kind of savings does Planned.com claim to achieve?

Planned.com reports that clients can save 12% on their entire Travel & Events T&E budget, as evidenced by a “Big Four Firm” client’s testimonial.

Does Planned.com offer 24/7 support?

Yes, Planned.com states it provides 24/7 support with access to a global network of expert travel agents and self-serve options for changes and cancellations.

What is “white-glove service” in the context of Planned.com?

“White-glove service” refers to Planned.com’s provision of expert agents who source, negotiate, and handle payments for events and travel, ensuring company policies are followed and offering a high level of personalized assistance.

How quickly can Planned.com source and contract an event?

Planned.com claims to achieve event sourcing “from event brief to contract sent in 7 days,” indicating a significantly accelerated process.

What types of suppliers can be booked through Planned.com?

Planned.com’s marketplace allows booking of a wide range of suppliers, including unique venues, hotels, food & beverage services, AV equipment, decor, and speakers. Mojju.com Reviews

Does Planned.com integrate with existing company policies?

Yes, Planned.com is designed to embed sophisticated Travel & Events policies directly into users’ workflows to ensure compliance and control over spending.

Can Planned.com help with international events?

Yes, Planned.com states it curates the best suppliers across the globe and offers a global network of expert agents, suggesting it can support international event planning.

What kind of visibility does Planned.com offer into event spending?

Planned.com provides a central control panel that tracks spend and savings for the entire program, offering comprehensive visibility for financial management and compliance.

How does Planned.com handle payments for events?

Planned.com empowers stakeholders to pay directly upon approval and tracks actual spend, simplifying the payment process and providing clear financial oversight.

Is Planned.com suitable for small businesses or primarily for enterprises?

Based on its features, testimonials from “Big Four accounting firms,” and emphasis on scaling M&E volume and sophisticated policies, Planned.com appears to be primarily targeted at enterprises and large corporations. Roofify.com Reviews

What is the total funding raised by Planned.com?

Planned.com has raised a total of $65 million in funding, including a recent $35 million Series B round.

How does Planned.com ensure transparency in supplier selection?

Planned.com promises transparency by allowing users to “always see which suppliers receive your RFP” and provide feedback at any time, aiming for no hidden agendas.

Does Planned.com help with contract execution?

Yes, Planned.com permits executing contracts on behalf of the client and pushes their addendum to ensure compliance and efficiency in the contracting process.

Can users make self-serve changes to their travel details on Planned.com?

Yes, in addition to expert agent support, Planned.com also offers leverage for “self-serve changes to cancel or change your travel details.”

What does Planned.com mean by “NDC content”?

“NDC content” refers to New Distribution Capability content, a data standard developed by IATA, which often enables more flexible and personalized air travel offers, suggesting Planned.com integrates with modern airline booking systems. Hoopsai.com Reviews

Does Planned.com facilitate corporate travel in addition to events?

Yes, the website frequently refers to “Travel & Events” and mentions combining travel and events data, indicating it covers both aspects of corporate needs.

How does Planned.com help reduce attrition for room blocks?

Planned.com claims to help “reduce attrition” and offer “cash back” on room blocks, implying features or negotiation strategies to minimize financial penalties from unused rooms.

Does Planned.com offer demo videos for its platform?

Yes, the homepage encourages users to “Watch demo video 3 min” and “Book a demo” to see the platform in action.

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