As the events industry evolves, planners are under increasing pressure to deliver seamless, high-impact experiences while juggling tighter timelines and higher expectations. In this environment, the traditional model of coordinating multiple vendors — caterers, tech teams, designers, and more — can quickly become a logistical challenge. That’s why there’s a growing shift toward fully integrated venues that simplify planning, anticipate challenges, and keep the focus on delivering meaningful content.
One company at the forefront of this shift is Convene. Since its founding in 2009, Convene has grown into a global portfolio of hospitality brands with a network of purpose-built spaces designed to remove friction from every stage of the event planning process.
“We were founded to provide a better meeting and event experience,” said James Frankis, Convene’s senior vice president of product. “Each venue within our global portfolio has been intentionally designed to serve this need.”
With all services managed in-house, ranging from culinary and technology support to design and hospitality, Convene empowers planners to stay focused on their goals, not vendor logistics.
This holistic approach is reflected in every aspect of the experience — from thoughtfully curated food and beverage programs to adaptable environments, embedded technology, and a hospitality-first mindset — all working together to simplify execution and elevate every event.
Crafting Thoughtful Eats for Energized Meetings
At Convene, food is viewed as a vital driver of human connection — not just a meal but a strategic part of the meeting experience. Menus are created biannually by a global executive chef task force, rooted in fresh, locally sourced ingredients selected to energize attendees without weighing them down.
“No hospitality experience is complete without food,” said Ryan Gallagher, senior director of food and beverage at Convene. “It’s what’s at the heart of bringing people together.”
Every venue has an on-site executive chef, and the company partners with local farms to deliver peak-season produce and proteins. On the East Coast, for example, Convene sources chicken from La Belle Farms, a vertically integrated farm that raises its own birds and grows its own feed. This commitment to local sourcing keeps food quality high, supports regional economies, and reduces environmental impact.
Meals are thoughtfully composed around what Convene calls “Perfect Plates:” bite-sized servings balanced with vegetables, proteins, starches, and bright herbs. “Our ‘Perfect Plates’ can be easily consumed no matter where you are at an event,” Gallagher said. “The goal is to provide nourishment that sustains energy and conversation, not slow it down.”
Delivering Nourishing Food Experiences On-Site
Convene’s Nourish snack and beverage bars extend this food philosophy beyond meals, following an 80/20 principle that combines standardized favorites with 20% regionally inspired specialties. Local partnerships include Afficionado Coffee on the East Coast, Dark Matter Coffee in Chicago, and Equator Coffees, a woman-owned, B Corp-certified roaster in San Francisco.
The company has also reimagined the traditional buffet. Instead of static lines of warming trays, guests encounter dynamic multi-station setups that encourage movement, spontaneity, and conversation.
Menus are fully customizable to suit groups of five to 1,500 guests and offer a wide range of options, including vegan, gluten-free, and other specialty diets. With so many possibilities, the team sees each menu as an opportunity to be both inclusive and inventive.
“We want to create moments of culinary delight, bringing exotic touches to familiar foods and making global flavors more approachable in unexpected new ways,” Gallagher said.
Deploying Smart Technology to Power Seamless Events
Technology is critical to delivering flawless meeting or event experiences. That’s why Convene integrates a sophisticated audiovisual (AV) system into every venue, providing robust support without the need for outside vendors.
“AV is critical to the success of any event,” Frankis said. “We have built all necessary technology into each venue and manage it in-house to ensure seamless experiences.”
Each location’s infrastructure supports everything from simple video conferencing setups to sophisticated hybrid productions. Enhancements like wireless microphones, high-definition projectors, and LED welcome screens are available to personalize and elevate events.
“Having AV experts embedded within our teams means we can respond quickly to any client need, ensuring that technology enhances the event rather than becoming a point of stress,” Frankis said.
This tightly managed approach to tech removes friction, giving planners peace of mind that every detail — whether a keynote presentation or a panel livestream — is supported by professionals who know the venue inside and out.
Applying Client-Centric Design for Every Occasion
Convene’s approach to design is built around flexibility and client empowerment. Venues are intentionally created to support a wide range of event types, with modular layouts and movable walls that allow planners to expand, contract, or reconfigure spaces easily.
“Flexibility of space is incredibly important when serving the events industry,” Frankis said. “We design our spaces to adapt quickly and seamlessly to the planner’s needs.”
Rather than imposing a heavy-handed visual identity, Convene’s venues offer a sophisticated yet understated backdrop. This design ethos allows clients to bring their own branding, culture, and energy into the space, creating a truly customized experience.
“It’s your brand, not ours,” Frankis emphasized.
Local design influences add to the richness of each venue, such as nods to San Francisco’s iconic “Karl the Fog” weather at Convene 100 Stockton or references to London’s Elizabethan architecture at Convene Sancroft, St. Paul’s. Sustainability also plays a role, with energy-efficient LED lighting and eco-conscious operational practices embedded throughout the portfolio.
Elevating Every Moment With Full-Service Hospitality
Exceptional service is the thread that ties Convene’s full-service model together. Most team members, from event coordinators to leadership, come from prestigious hospitality brands like Waldorf Astoria, Four Seasons, Jamie Oliver Restaurants, and Selfridges.
“Our hospitality DNA informs everything we do,” Frankis said. “This translates into warm welcomes, anticipatory service, and polished execution that consistently exceeds planner and guest expectations. Every event, regardless of size, is an opportunity to deliver a concierge-level experience.”
To further support planners, Convene developed the Convene Enhancement Program — a curated network of preferred third-party vendors. Every enhancement partner has been vetted for quality, operational efficiency, and familiarity with Convene spaces, from live musicians and DJs to florists, roaming oyster shuckers, and portrait artists.
Rather than navigating multiple contracts and invoices, planners working within the Enhancement Program benefit from streamlined coordination and a single, convenient invoice, saving time and minimizing stress.
“By working with trusted partners, we offer planners more efficiency and peace of mind. They get the benefit of our relationships and pricing, plus just one invoice for the entire event,” Frankis said.
A Holistic Approach to Memorable Gatherings
In an industry where complexity often hinders creativity, success is no longer just about logistics — it’s about creating moments that matter. Convene’s integrated model is designed to support that shift with thoughtful service and flexible tools.
As Frankis puts it: “We’ve seen clients putting more thought into creating an engaging experience and generating ROI — ‘return on interaction.’”
When connection becomes the goal, that shift in focus may be the real measure of success.
To learn more about Convene and inquire about a booking program, click here.
This content was created collaboratively by Convene and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.
