Robert Kraus, CEPS, CNS, MMP, founder of Small Conferences, approaches corporate event management from a practical perspective. He believes an event should meet its purpose without creating unnecessary costs or workload for the organization behind it. With more than 20 years of event sourcing experience and more than 30 years of executive management experience, Robert Kraus brings financial, operational, and hospitality expertise to event planning.
Based in Miami, Small Conferences works with organizations planning corporate meetings, conferences, retreats, conventions, symposiums, board meetings, and other gatherings. The company focuses heavily on venue sourcing and contract negotiation, helping clients make informed decisions before they commit to a location or vendor.
Robert Kraus Takes a Client-First Approach
Corporate event planning involves dozens of decisions. Venue costs, food and beverage, audiovisual services, room blocks, registration, technology, transportation, and event design can quickly become difficult to manage. Robert Kraus built Small Conferences to handle these details so organizational leaders can focus on their teams, guests, and business objectives.
An important part of the company’s approach is its role as a client advocate. Small Conferences explains that it works for its clients, not the venue. Its fee-based model avoids the commission structure common in event planning. This gives Robert Kraus room to negotiate based on the client’s interests and event requirements.
Long-standing industry relationships back that approach. Robert Kraus has spent more than two decades developing connections with venue management and ownership. Those relationships help Small Conferences identify pricing opportunities and venue options that may be difficult for an organization to secure on its own.
Corporate Event Planning Services Built Around the Details
Small Conferences provides support across the major stages of event planning. Apart from venue sourcing, Robert Kraus and his team can assist with:
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Food and beverage planning: Reviewing menus and developing options that fit the event and budget.
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Audio/visual planning: Coordinating A/V requirements and comparing venue and outside vendor options.
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Event design: Developing an event format that reflects the organization, audience, and purpose.
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Marketing and registration: Creating mobile-friendly event websites and registration systems.
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Travel and logistics: Coordinating sleeping rooms, transportation, and other attendee requirements.
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Activities and team building: Arranging entertainment, local experiences, and interactive activities.
The company also assists with seating arrangements, breakout rooms, Wi-Fi, registration desks, vendor areas, private dining spaces, and other operational requirements.
For Robert Kraus, the financial side of an event matters just as much. Small Conferences has helped clients save 20% or more on venue costs, while its broader event-planning model can produce savings of up to 38% compared with other event planners.
Experience That Extends Beyond Event Logistics
Robert Kraus brings several professional credentials to his work. He is a Certified Event Planning Specialist, Certified Contract and Negotiation Specialist, and Certified Medical Meeting Professional. In 2019, Robert Kraus was named Planner of the Year by the Association of Meeting Professionals (AMPs), recognizing his work in meeting and event planning. His background also includes finance, operations, strategic planning, process improvement, special events, and catering sales.
Why Venue Negotiation Matters in Corporate Events
One of the biggest financial decisions in corporate event planning is the venue contract. The quoted room rate is only one part of the cost. Food and beverage minimums, audiovisual charges, room-block requirements, service fees, cancellation terms, and other contract conditions can significantly change the final budget.
For corporate planners, this makes comparing venues about more than finding an attractive space. A lower room rate may come with higher food-and-beverage commitments or restrictive contract terms. A venue with a higher initial quote may offer better concessions or more favorable conditions. Reviewing the full agreement helps organizations understand the actual financial commitment before they sign.
Small Conferences places venue sourcing and contract negotiations at the center of its event planning services. Robert Kraus helps clients evaluate venue options, negotiate rates and concessions, and coordinate the details that follow the venue decision so organizations can make informed choices.
An Easier Starting Point for Event Planning
Starting with an event planner can sometimes mean committing to costs before selecting a venue. Small Conferences currently takes a different approach for new clients. The company is offering 50% off the first venue search, with no deposit or upfront payment required. Payment begins after the client selects a venue.
The company also offers a satisfaction guarantee as part of its venue search process. If the initial options don’t meet the organization’s needs, Small Conferences keeps searching until the client is satisfied with the choices presented.
A Practical Vision for Better Corporate Events
Corporate events require financial planning, careful negotiations, strong logistics, and attention to the attendee experience. Robert Kraus has built Small Conferences around these practical needs.
The company’s focus on venue sourcing, client advocacy, cost control, and hands-on planning gives organizations an alternative to managing every event detail internally. For companies seeking experienced support for their next meeting, conference, retreat, or corporate gathering, Small Conferences offers a planning model centered on the client’s goals and budget.