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How to Start an Event Management Business in India: The Ultimate Guide

By Tata Capital
02 January 2026
9 mins read
2897

Setting foot into the event management industry in India is both exhilarating and demanding. With the right blend of creativity, organisational efficiency and strategic planning, you can carve a niche for yourself in this dynamic sector. As per Statista, the market size of the wedding and allied industries alone was over Rs. 4 trillion. India is a land of festivals and celebrations; therefore, the event management industry shows promising prospects. This is the right time to start your own event management business.

To help you get started, we will delve deeper into the essential steps on how to start event management business, offering practical insights to help you not only initiate but also sustain and expand your event management business successfully.

10 Proven Steps to Launch Your Event Management Business in India

Legal Requirements & Licenses for Event Management in India

How to start event management business in India? Well, first you’ll need to comply with certain legal requirements and obtain key licenses.

You’ll have to register your company as a legal entity with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). It could be a sole proprietorship, a partnership firm, an LLP, or a private limited company, depending on your business structure.

GST registration is also mandatory if your annual turnover crosses Rs. 20 Lakhs, or Rs. 10 Lakhs in special category states, to ensure compliance with tax regulations.

You’ll also need to obtain the following licenses and permissions:

A trade license from the local municipal authority to operate your business legally.
Event-specific No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from police, fire brigade, and traffic police authorities.
Environmental clearance is required if the event involves a large gathering or the construction of temporary structures.
Food license from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) if you plan to serve food or beverages during the event.
A public liability insurance policy to cover third-party injuries, accidents, or property damage that might occur during an event.

Essential Tools & Software for Event Managers

Now that the legal requirements on how to start event management business are clear, let’s discuss some necessary tools and software solutions that can simplify event management.

Event management tools or software help you plan, organise, and execute an event. They can save you a lot of time by automating routine tasks and organising all information in a centralised interface.

They can be of different types, such as:

Project and task management tools to coordinate tasks across teams, track progress, and manage deadlines.
Attendee registration and ticketing software for online registrations, managing ticket sales, and collecting attendee data.
On-site event management software to help with staff communication, manage on-site logistics, and ensure a smooth experience for attendees.
Event marketing tools for promoting and generating buzz around the event, carrying out social media campaigns, and managing social media outreach.

Some examples of event management software tools include Wrike, Notion, Eventbrite, Cvent, Slido, Zoho, and HubSpot.

Marketing Strategies for Event Management Startups

Event marketing involves advertising your event services to boost event visibility and attract more attendees. Here are some event marketing strategies to promote your event management startup:

1. Invest in local SEO and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to appear in searches for event planners in your area.

2. Build a strong digital presence through social media marketing. Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, or LinkedIn to share behind-the-scenes content, décor, client testimonials, and countdown posts or guest-reveal posts.

3. Nurture your audience with email marketing. Share monthly newsletters about tips, latest trends, upcoming events, and recent successes.

4. Implement content marketing by creating blogs, guides, and videos about event planning tips to establish expertise.

5. Collaborate with influencers like décor vendors, caterers, or makeup artists to widen your audience reach.

6. Network actively at industry events and join professional associations to build relationships in your niche.

7. Collect and prominently display glowing client reviews across Google, social media, and your website to build credibility and trust.

Also, read – Agarbatti Making Business: Plan, Machinery and License

Here’s a quick 10-step guide on how to start event management business:

Step 1: Define Your Event Niche & Target Audience

One of the first steps in learning how to start event planning business is understanding which niche you want to specialise in. Weddings, corporate events, social gatherings—each sector demands different skill sets. Identifying your specialisation early on allows you to tailor your services and target the right clientele effectively.

Step 2: Comprehensive Market Research & Competitor Analysis

Thorough market research is the backbone of a successful business. You should dive into your local market dynamics, understanding competitors, pricing structures and client expectations. Identify gaps in services that you can fill or areas where you can offer a unique value proposition.

Step 3: Develop a Strategic Lean Business Plan

While a comprehensive business plan is essential, ensure it remains realistic and practical. You need to outline your business goals, target market, revenue projections and strategies for growth. Developing a lean business plan will allow you flexibility and accommodate adjustments based on the ever-changing demands of the market.

Developing a lean business plan is a critical step in understanding how to start an event management company with long-term growth in mind.

Step 4: Complete Legal Registrations & Compliance

There are certain legal formalities and registrations you need to complete before starting your own event-planning business. Begin with registering your business entity, obtaining a Goods and Services Tax (GST) number and fulfilling any other legal requirements specific to your locality or state. These steps are pivotal in establishing your business as a legitimate and trustworthy entity in the eyes of your clients.

Step 5: Cultivate Industry Partnerships & Vendor Networks

Industry partnerships and vendor networks play a crucial role when learning how to start an event management company in India.

Networking is the heartbeat of the event planning business. Forge connections with local vendors, venues and suppliers. Attend industry events, join online forums and build relationships with professionals who can become valuable collaborators. A robust network ensures a smoother execution of events and opens doors to new opportunities.

Step 6: Build a Professional Digital Presence

In the digital age, a compelling online presence is non-negotiable. It has become more of a necessity than a choice. Create a professional website that serves as a virtual storefront for your event management business. Showcase your services, highlight a diverse portfolio and make it easy for potential clients to reach you. Leverage social media platforms to share behind-the-scenes glimpses, client testimonials and updates on your latest projects. An active online presence enhances your visibility and credibility in the market.

Step 7: Structuring Competitive Pricing & Packages

Set realistic and competitive pricing for your services. Consider offering package deals for specific events or discounts for early bookings. Ensure that your pricing reflects the value you bring to your clients while remaining competitive in the market. Transparent pricing fosters trust and makes your services more appealing to potential clients.

Step 8: Strategic Financial Planning & Resource Allocation

In the initial stages, you need to bootstrap your business, so planning is essential. Prioritise essential expenses like marketing, networking and building a robust online presence. You can invest in tools that streamline your workflow while also exercising caution against unnecessary expenditures. A lean approach to finances ensures that you are channelling resources where they matter the most.

If you are running short of funds, you can go for business loans. Business loan interest rates can be quite affordable if you select the right lender. The process is quite simple – select the lender, apply, and submit the required business loan documents. The lender will process the application and decide on the approval or rejection thereof.

Step 9: Implement Effective Digital Marketing Strategies

If you are starting an event planning business, you need to harness the power of digital marketing to reach a broader audience. Utilise social media platforms, content marketing and email campaigns to create a buzz around your business. Consider running targeted ads to promote your services locally. Engage with your audience and encourage them to share their experiences with your company. A well-crafted digital marketing strategy amplifies your brand’s reach and fosters community engagement.

Step 10: Prioritize Exceptional Customer Experience

In the event management industry, customer satisfaction is not just a metric; it’s the lifeline of your business. Word-of-mouth publicity will be your greatest advertisement. Delivering exceptional customer service builds a positive reputation and sets the stage for repeat business and referrals. Communicate transparently with clients, manage expectations and go the extra mile to ensure their satisfaction. Happy clients become your best advocates, contributing significantly to the growth of your business.

When done right, these steps simplify how to start event planning business and help you build a sustainable, client-centric brand.

Also, read – Samridhi Scheme: Full form, how to apply, eligibility

GST Registration & Tax Compliance

If your event management business exceeds an annual turnover of Rs. 20 Lakhs, or Rs. 10 Lakhs in case of special category of states, it’s necessary to get registered for GST. An 18% of GST is usually charged on event management services under the Service Accounting Code (SAC) 9983, which covers “Other Professional, Technical and Business Services.”

For GST registration, you’ll need several documents, like the PAN card of your business, proof of business registration, bank account details, and address proof of your business.

After you have registered, you should issue GST invoices, charge applicable taxes, and file for GST returns. In addition to making you compliant, GST registration also builds credibility and trust among your clients.

Also, read – Business Ideas in Bhopal: Profitable Startup Opportunities for 2026

Top Event Planning Software Solutions in India

Choosing the right technology stack is essential when planning how to start an event management company that can scale efficiently.

To choose an event planning software solution in India, ensure it meets several criteria.

1. The software must align with your needs and objectives.

2. It must have positive reviews from existing customers on various publicly available review platforms.

3. The software solution should have an intuitive, user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and provides simple customisation.

4. It should offer mobile access to improve attendee participation, as many of them use mobile devices.

Once you’re clear about how to compare different platforms, create a shortlist of the solutions that best match your requirements and evaluate them in detail.

Here’s a list of software solutions to help you with that:

1. Cvent

2. Eventbrite

3. OnArrival

4. Wrike 

5. Slido

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FAQs

What is the average cost to start an event management business in India?

Starting an event management business in India depends on scale. Small business setups cost around ₹1.5-3 lakh, while large operations typically require an investment between ₹5-12 lakh.

Which business structure is best for an event management company?

A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure, requiring minimal paperwork and giving the owner complete control over business operations. However, there is a drawback of unlimited personal liability in case of debts or legal issues.

How can I get a business loan for my event management startup?

To easily get a business loan from Tata Capital, you need to meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being 21-65 years old, having steady business continuity, a good CIBIL score, and a healthy monthly bank balance.

What are the key challenges in the Indian event management industry?

Common challenges include bad weather, insufficient budgets, stringent compliance laws, last-minute changes, vendor reliability, logistical complexities, intense competition, skilled manpower shortages, sponsorship difficulties, and unpredictable client expectations.

How do I build a strong brand presence as a new event planner?

You can build a strong brand presence by showcasing your past work, using social media consistently, delivering memorable experiences, networking actively, collecting client testimonials, and maintaining a clear, professional brand identity.

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