The UK’s largest venue booking platform has launched in the US.
London-based VenueScanner, which has successfully connected hundreds of thousands of event planners with spaces, has marked New York as its first major city launch.
The firm says that the expansion marks a significant milestone, tapping into an events industry eight times the size of the UK’s.
“The demand for unique, unforgettable event spaces has never been greater,” said Rebecca Kelly, CEO and co-founder of VenueScanner.
“The US market is the biggest in the world, and independent planners need a seamless way to discover mid-market, stylish, and ‘instagramable’ venues. That’s exactly what VenueScanner delivers and we’re thrilled to be here.”
Kelly co-founded the business in January 2016 with former Mark and Spencer figure Benjy Meyer.
Early on in its journey, it was dubbed the ‘Skyscanner of venue discovery’ and was backed by prominent figures including New Look founder Tom Singh OBE.
Unlike traditional venue marketplaces that focus on corporate hotels and conference spaces, VenueScanner curates one-of-a-kind locations, from rooftop bars to creative warehouse spaces, historic lofts, and hidden-gem venues.
The platform aims to cater to the growing demand from Gen Z and Millennial audiences, who prioritise experiences, aesthetics and storytelling when choosing event spaces.
Kelly continued: “Cvent has traditional hotels wrapped up, but we’re here to showcase the independent spaces that create unforgettable moments.
“Our mission is to make booking these venues simple to book, with the added benefit of world-class event planning & production support.”
The platform already works with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Amazon, Meta, Google and Deel, helping them find ideal spaces for their events.
The initial US launch will focus on New York, leveraging existing relationships with clients and venues that operate across London and New York.
Expansion to other major US cities is planned for later this year.