13 Marketing Strategies for Pennsylvania-Based Event Planners and Venues

From Philly weddings to Pittsburgh trade shows to scenic Pocono retreats, Pennsylvania’s event scene is full of energy and packed with competition. Having a great space or service isn’t enough. You need a smart strategy, local insight, and marketing that connects.

As one of the top marketing agencies rooted right here in PA, we know what works. In this blog, we’re sharing real-world marketing strategies for Pennsylvania-based event planners and venues. From showcasing past events to finding new clients, you’ll get straightforward tips to make your marketing efforts pay off.

Key Takeaways

• Marketing your venue takes more than pretty pictures. Be easy to find and hard to forget.

• A mix of digital tools and hometown charm can help keep your calendar full.

• Don’t wait around. Create smart plans, show off your space, and stay top of mind.

1. Know Your Market: Start with Smart Local Research

Marketing a wedding venue in Lancaster isn’t the same as promoting an event space in downtown Philly. That’s why solid market research matters. It helps you understand what event types people in your area are booking.

Look at the events happening around you

Start local. Look at the kinds of events hosted near you. Are you seeing mostly social gatherings like birthday parties and fundraisers? Or is your town leaning more toward corporate events and meetings?

Use demographics to your advantage

Pay attention to demographics and seasonal trends. If you're near a college, promote your event venue for grad parties and club banquets. In quiet suburbs, special events like anniversaries or baby showers might be your sweet spot.

Tap into tools that work

Use free resources like Google Trends, Facebook Audience Insights, and your local small business association. They can show you what your target market is looking for and how your space fits in.

2. Define Your Event Goals & Audience Before You Spend a Dime

Before launching a campaign or updating your website, take time to define your event objectives. Your goals shape everything, including messaging, design, budget, and how your sales team connects with potential clients.

What are you really aiming for?

Are you trying to book more social events like weddings or birthday parties? Looking to grow your calendar with meetings and corporate events? Promoting a new space or full-service event planning? Know your main event goals before spending a dime.

Know who you're talking to

Define your target market. Couples planning rustic weddings in Lancaster want different things from corporate planners in Harrisburg. Build customer profiles that include age, location, budget, priorities, and what kind of personalized experiences they’re after.

Be clear on what you're offering

Are you marketing an event space, a single event, or a package of services? Your approach should match. Each requires a different tone and strategy.

Let goals drive your strategy

Want repeat business? Focus on client relationships and attendee engagement. Need new business? Focus your marketing efforts on finding clients. Matching your message to your goals makes your planning process smoother and more effective.

3. Polish Your Online Presence (First Impressions Matter)

Your website is often the first thing potential clients see, so it has to work hard. If it’s slow, clunky, or missing key info, they’ll move on to other venues fast.

Make it easy to use

Your site should be quick to load, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. Clearly list your event space options, services, and how to get in touch. Make it simple for people to find what they need.

Show off your best work

Use quality photos from past events to highlight your space, layouts, and food. Give people a feel for what it’s like to host their event with your team.

Help search engines find you

Use keywords people actually search for, like “PA event planning” or “Philadelphia event venue.” Add them naturally to your content so your site shows up when folks are looking.

Include clear calls to action

Tell visitors what to do next. Add buttons to schedule a tour, contact your sales manager, or ask about availability.

Want to boost website engagement and increase leasing inquiries even more? We share simple ways to make your calls-to-action stand out and drive more conversions.

Build trust with the extras

Add client reviews, social links, and an FAQ section. These little touches help small businesses, guests, and other vendors feel confident about working with you.

4. Be Social: Use Social Media to Show Off Your Brand

Social media platforms are often the first stop for potential clients, so your content needs to show what your event venue and team can really do. Whether it’s a large banquet hall or one of those tucked-away unique spaces, let your feed tell the story.

Pick the right platforms

Instagram works well for weddings and styled social events. Facebook helps connect with your local audience and share updates. LinkedIn is a smart choice for reaching corporate planners and other businesses.

Let your visuals do the work

Post quality photos and videos of your space, guests, food setups, and your team in action. Testimonials and short clips add credibility and help clients imagine their event with you.

Use relevant hashtags

Try hashtags like #PAWeddings or #PittsburghEvents instead of generic ones. Create a branded hashtag for your business to group your content and help people find you easily.

Show a mix of event types

Highlight everything from formal weddings to laid-back meetings and seasonal social events. It shows your flexibility and helps your venue stand out from other venues.

Get the team involved

Have your sales manager or sales team post, too. It adds a personal touch and shows the faces behind the services. Think of social as casual networking with long-term value.

5. Make Email Marketing Your Secret Weapon

Email is one of the easiest ways to stay connected with potential clients and turn interest into bookings. It’s direct, personal, and easy to manage.

Build a simple funnel

Start with a welcome series. Introduce your team, share what makes your event venue unique, and include a recent event as an example. Keep it short and helpful.

Segment by event type

Don’t send one-size-fits-all emails. Separate your list by event objectives like weddings, meetings, or social events. That way, your message stays relevant.

Use ready-to-go templates

Have templates for newsletters, follow-ups, and booking reminders. Add links to your website, highlight your services, or share tips that make planning easier.

Repurpose past events

Turn great events into email content. Add a short recap, a few photos, and client feedback. It’s a great way to show what guests can expect when they host with you.

6. Leverage Local Listings and Marketplaces

If you want clients to find your event venue, you need to show up where they’re already looking. That often means listing platforms like EventUp, The Knot, WeddingWire, and local Pennsylvania directories.

Start with the big names

Sites like EventUp and The Knot are popular for people planning weddings, meetings, and events. Being listed puts your business in front of people who are actively looking to book.

Use Google Business to your advantage

Your Google listing should do more than show your location. Add quality photos, a detailed description, contact info, and a link to your website. This helps interested visitors get the basics fast.

Encourage reviews

Happy clients are often glad to share feedback if you ask. Reviews help build trust and improve how your site ranks in local searches.

Highlight what makes you different

Whether it’s your great food, flexible space, or helpful team, make it clear in your listing. Add photos and a quick example of a successful event you’ve hosted.

8. Build Relationships with Local Vendors and Influencers

In event planning, who you know can go a long way. Strong ties with local vendors and influencers can help your event venue stand out and bring in more clients.

Create a trusted vendor list

Pull together a go-to list of florists, DJs, caterers, and photographers. It helps clients plan more easily and shows you’re well-connected in the community.

Share the spotlight

Use social media or email to highlight vendors you’ve worked with. Tag them, share a quick example, and give a shoutout to their work. It’s simple marketing that benefits everyone.

Partner with local influencers

Work with micro-influencers who have strong local followings. Invite them to a shoot, tour, or open house so they can post about your space and tag your site.

9. Show, Don’t Just Tell: Promote Your Past Events

If you’ve already hosted successful events, don’t let them sit in a folder somewhere. Showing real examples of your event venue in action is one of the easiest ways to build trust and help future clients picture their big day in your space.

Create simple case studies

Write short blog posts or social captions that highlight past events—who it was for, what the plan was, and how it turned out. Include a few photos, what made it special, and how your team helped make it happen.

Use testimonials and visuals

Let your clients do the talking. A great quote and a few behind-the-scenes photos or video clips can go a long way. This gives people a feel for your venue, your process, and the kind of experience they can expect.

Post where it matters

Add this content to your site, your social media, and even printed brochures. It’s a strong marketing investment that shows off your style and professionalism without saying a word.

10. Don’t Forget Real-World Marketing, Especially in Small Towns

Digital is great, but in many parts of Pennsylvania, nothing beats face-to-face connections. If you're in a small town or tight-knit community, real-world marketing still carries weight.

Use direct mail the right way

Send postcards to zip codes near your event venue or target event types. Include an image of your space, a short message, and a reason to follow up, like an open house or limited-time offer.

Join local groups and events

Get involved with your local Chamber of Commerce or nearby business networking groups. Attend wedding shows, event planning expos, or community mixers. These in-person events can lead to referrals, partnerships, and bookings.

Host and participate in events

Throw an open house or partner on a charity event. These are great chances to show off your venue, meet potential clients, and build your reputation. Offer food samples, simple tours, or small giveaways to make people remember you.

11. Streamline Your User Journey from Click to Booking

Getting someone to your site is just the start. To turn interest into action, every step between the first click and the final booking should feel simple and intentional.

Make each click count

If you’re running an ad, the landing page it links to should match the message. If you’re promoting weddings, don’t send people to a page about corporate meetings. Keep the path focused on the event type and venue features they’re already interested in.

Keep your forms short and clear

Make your contact forms easy to fill out. Ask only for what you need to get started. If someone wants to schedule a tour or ask about availability, the form should take less than a minute to complete.

Use tools that work for you

There are affordable software options to help you plan, track leads, automate replies, and follow up fast. These small investments free up your team and make the sales process smoother.

Follow up with purpose

Every lead deserves a timely and thoughtful response. A quick thank-you email, a link to your site, or a short message from your sales rep can make a big impression. Keep the tone warm and helpful.

12. Promote During and After Your Events

Marketing doesn’t stop once the event starts. Use it as a chance to build buzz and set up your next booking.

Show it in real time

Post live on social media during the event. Share setup clips, fun moments, and behind-the-scenes shots. Tag the host and vendors. This gives people a real feel for your space and what you bring to the table.

Let guests do the marketing

Encourage attendees to share photos and tag your business. With permission, repost their content to highlight your venue through real experiences.

Follow up with purpose

After the event, send a quick thank-you email with a recap video, survey, or photo gallery. It’s a simple way to stay top-of-mind and encourage future bookings. 

13. Work Smarter with Event Management Tools

There’s no medal for doing it all manually. The right event software helps your business run smoother, look sharper, and keep your team sane.

Choose tools that fit your needs

From free tools like Trello or Google Sheets to platforms like HoneyBook, Cvent, or Tripleseat, there’s something for every budget. Use them to manage inquiries, layouts, timelines, and vendors.

Track what’s working

Pick software that shows you where your bookings come from. Some platforms connect with your email, ads, and website so you can see which marketing efforts are actually paying off.

Look polished with less effort

Branded proposals, auto-reminders, and online contracts make a great impression. These tools let you create a seamless process from first inquiry to signed contract.

LeaseMyMarketing: Local Marketing That Works

Tired of marketing advice that doesn’t fit your business? At LeaseMyMarketing, we get it. We're based in Pennsylvania and work closely with event venues and planners who want clear strategies that bring in real bookings.

From setting up your site to sharpening your email campaigns, we help you create a marketing plan that fits your space, your events, and your budget.

Ready to focus on what works? Let’s start with a free strategy call.

Conclusion

Great events start with smart planning and marketing that fit your space and audience. If you're in the business of hosting, it pays to get focused and consistent with how you show up.

Use the strategies above to create momentum, build trust, and keep your calendar full. And if you want a local team that understands event venues as well as marketing, we’re right here in PA. Let’s talk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are event marketing strategies?

Event marketing strategies are the game plan behind getting people excited to attend your event or book your space. It’s how you promote, connect, and keep your venue top of mind through your website, social media, email, networking, and more. 

Around here, it’s about being visible, helpful, and a little bit memorable.

What are the 5 P's of event marketing?

The 5 P’s stand for Product, Price, Place, Promotion, and People. In the event world, that means your venue or service (product), what you charge, where it happens, how you market it, and who’s running the show. All five need to line up to make your event a success.

What are the 4 C's of event marketing?

The 4 C’s are Customer, Cost, Convenience, and Communication. It’s a shift from just pushing your business to thinking more about what your audience wants, how easy it is for them to say yes, and how well you stay in touch. It’s planning with people, not just promos in mind.