Organizing a conference sounds exciting at first. However, after constant back-and-forth emails, one soon learns that there are many things to consider. Finding the venue can be time-consuming, catering expenses rise, audiovisual expenses fluctuate, and contracts are hard to decipher. Not long into the planning process, a business owner or nonprofit executive may find themselves investing more energy in organizing than in achieving the event’s objective.
The solution for this problem was found by Robert Kraus, Founder and CEO of SmallConferences.com, whose mission is to help organizations save their time and money. Having been an active participant in the events industry for over two decades, Robert Kraus witnessed the trend of big-name event planning agencies overlooking smaller organizations, despite their having the same planning needs as large corporations.
Nowadays, the company operates in cooperation with entrepreneurs, startups, non-profit organizations, associations, and small businesses.
SmallConferences.com Services Designed Around Client Needs
Robert Kraus has over 20 years of experience in hospitality management, special events, catering sales, and executive leadership. Robert has won many awards, including the Association of Meeting Professionals Planner of the Year. He holds certifications including Certified Event Planning Specialist (CEPS), Certified Contract and Negotiation Specialist (CNS), Certified Medical Meeting Professional (MMP), and Certified Cruise Extension Specialist.
His company covers any event, including conventions, retreats, conferences, symposiums, board meetings, fundraising events, corporate events, and even medical meetings.
Many event planners work on commission for some venues. According to SmallConferences.com, this could increase the cost of an event, as planners add commissions. The company acts as a client representative and negotiates on their behalf for a fee.
A full suite of services includes venue sourcing and contract negotiation, event budget planning, food and beverage planning, audio-visual coordination, event design and logistics, marketing and registration systems, event website creation, travel management, and team-building activities and entertainment.
In this way, clients can work with a single experienced team rather than coordinating multiple vendors.
For non-profits, there is much to benefit from. According to Kraus, savings of up to 38% can be achieved compared to regular planning practices through venue negotiation, industry connections, and budget optimization.
Moreover, SmallConferences.com offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. This means that should the initially offered venue selection prove unsatisfactory to the client, the search continues until complete satisfaction is achieved.
Industry Challenges Are Creating Greater Demand for Expert Event Support
In recent years, event planning has become more challenging. Higher costs, insufficient staffing, and increasing attendee expectations have been putting pressure on organizations planning events.
A recent study has shown that two-thirds of event planning teams report flat or reduced budgets, while 59% say they plan to hold smaller meetings due to budget constraints. Furthermore, meeting organizers are paying more attention to proving event ROI and maximizing value from every dollar spent.
Additional industry research found that 63.5% of event professionals considered budget constraints their main problem in 2025. In addition, 42.7% reported difficulties maintaining attendee engagement.
Event planning on a smaller scale still faces specific challenges. Research from Cvent suggests that 70% of planners have budgeting problems, while 53% cite time constraints.
Those results fully align with the complaints Kraus hears daily. Many people simply do not have enough resources to review venue proposals, negotiate contracts, work with vendors and registration systems, and plan the event itself.
But it is in a planner’s experience that the solution lies.
Over many years of work in this field, Kraus has developed connections with venue management across the country, which enables him to offer opportunities that are out of the question through regular channels. In addition, his negotiating skills help avoid any extra costs. He firmly believes in letting the client concentrate on his mission while his company takes care of the details.
Building Better Events Through Experience
Event planning is much more than just a logistical task for Robert Kraus. Event planning is an art form designed to ensure that organizations build meaningful connections with their target audiences and achieve important objectives.
With shrinking event budgets and increased customer demands, many entrepreneurs, charitable organizations, and small businesses today are searching for better ways to organize their events successfully. Robert Kraus provides the solution through SmallConferences.com, drawing on his extensive industry expertise, professional connections, and dedication to client advocacy. With many of the usual hassles associated with conferences taken care of, clients can enjoy their events without difficulty.
