VenueConnect is a venue discovery platform operated by Expo Pass, an Illinois-based event technology company that's been around since 2016. The platform sits at venues.expopass.com and serves a specific purpose within the broader event planning process—helping organizers find suitable spaces for their conferences, trade shows, corporate gatherings, and other events. It's one piece of the Expo Pass ecosystem, which includes tools for registration, badge printing, lead capture, and mobile event apps.
Finding the right venue can make or break an event. Too small and you're cramming people into corners; too large and the room feels empty and awkward. VenueConnect aims to simplify this search by providing a searchable directory where event planners can browse and compare options based on their specific needs. The platform connects organizers directly with venues, cutting out some of the back-and-forth that typically bogs down the early stages of event planning.
The parent company, Expo Pass, has built a reputation in the event technology space. Organizations like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, T-Mobile, and the National Restaurant Association use their services. Capterra has recognized the platform with Best Ease of Use badges across multiple categories including event registration, event management, and lead capture. G2 users have given the platform favorable ratings as well. This track record suggests the company knows what event professionals actually need.
What makes VenueConnect interesting, in my opinion, is how it fits into the larger picture. Once an organizer finds a venue through the platform, they can potentially use Expo Pass's other tools to handle everything from attendee registration to on-site check-in with badge printing. That kind of integration matters when you're juggling a hundred different details for an upcoming event. Having your venue booking connected to your registration system and your mobile app means less data entry and fewer things falling through the cracks.
The Expo Pass team operates with in-house support rather than farming out customer service to third parties. They handle their own badge printing and ship equipment directly from their warehouse in Illinois. For venue inquiries through VenueConnect, this same hands-on approach applies—users can reach the team directly rather than getting bounced around automated systems. Event planners who've used the broader Expo Pass platform frequently mention the responsiveness of the support staff.
Expo Pass serves a wide range of event types, from small workshops to large conferences with thousands of attendees. The company works with agencies, associations, corporate clients, educational institutions, and nonprofits. VenueConnect caters to this same diverse audience, offering options that span different event sizes and formats. Whether someone needs a ballroom for a gala or a convention center for a trade show, the platform provides a starting point for the search.
For event organizers already using or considering Expo Pass's suite of tools, VenueConnect offers a logical first step in the planning process. As a reviewer, I see value in having venue discovery built into the same ecosystem as registration and event management software. It streamlines what can otherwise be a fragmented process of dealing with multiple vendors and platforms that don't talk to each other.
