Key Takeaways
- Event planning businesses with booked event contracts qualify on deposit and payment revenue
- Audio/visual equipment, linen rentals, and working capital all eligible
- Both corporate event planning and social events (weddings, galas) qualify
- SBA closed to L-1 holders — Bankable funds event businesses on contract revenue
- Decisions in 48 hours, $25K to $1M
Corporate event planning is a relationship business that rewards specialized knowledge and cultural fluency — making it a natural domain for L-1 holders from hospitality, marketing, or brand experience management backgrounds. An L-1A events director at an international brand who establishes an independent event production company brings global perspective to US clients who want distinctive, internationally-informed event experiences. These businesses generate significant revenue — a single corporate gala can generate $50K-$200K in event management fees — and require working capital to front-load vendor deposits before client payments arrive.
The capital timing problem in event planning is structural: vendors (venues, caterers, entertainers) require deposits months before the event; clients pay after the event or in milestone installments. A single large event with $150K in revenue may require $60K in vendor deposits 90 days in advance. Working capital bridges this gap without forcing the event planner to decline profitable events for lack of deposit capital.
Event Planning Capital for L-1 Holders
- Vendor deposit advances: Venue, catering, and entertainment deposits required months before event revenue arrives
- Audio/visual equipment: Projectors, screens, sound systems, and lighting rigs — owned equipment is both an asset and a competitive differentiator
- Linen and decor inventory: Tablecloths, chairs, centerpieces, and decor inventory for owned-rental business models
- Working capital for event staffing: Event-day staff — coordinators, setup crews, registration staff — paid before client final payment
- Event planning software: Planning Pod, HoneyBook, or Cvent subscriptions for corporate event management
Check your Bankability Score or call (786) 443-5511.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Event planning businesses owned by L-1 holders with documented event contract revenue qualify for Bankable funding. No green card required.
Event management fees, production fees, vendor markup revenue, and equipment rental revenue all qualify. We evaluate annual revenue across all event types.
Yes. Working capital advances specifically for vendor deposits are available against your booked event contract base. A signed corporate event contract is strong documentation for advance capital.
Yes. Wedding planning and coordination businesses with documented client contracts and payment history qualify. Bridal industry revenue has strong predictability when bookings are made 12-18 months in advance.
Yes. Projectors, sound systems, LED walls, and lighting equipment all qualify for equipment financing. Owned A/V equipment is a competitive advantage and asset that serves as collateral.
Event planning companies with at least $8K-$10K in average monthly revenue ($96K-$120K annually) qualify for initial review. Minimum 6 months of documented business history.
Wedding season (spring and fall), corporate event season (Q1 and Q4), and holiday event peaks create seasonal revenue patterns. We evaluate annual revenue with seasonal accommodation in repayment structure.
Yes. DMCs coordinating corporate incentive travel, conferences, and special events qualify for Bankable funding based on program management fee revenue.