The Best Membership Event Platforms for 2026

VeryConnect is purpose-built membership management software for societies and associations, with a robust event management feature built in. It is designed around the member record first, then connects events, renewals, payments, emails and reporting to that same source of truth. This makes it easier to manage events as part of the member journey, not as a standalone transaction.

Pros

• One source of truth: VeryConnect is an all-in-one membership software so member records, event bookings, attendance, payments, invoices and email engagement sit together. This saves admin time and makes the member journey more seamless.

• Clear engagement tracking: event activity becomes part of a year-round view of participation, which supports retention reporting and planning.

• Built for membership organisations: VeryConnect’s event workflows are designed to align with membership structures, not generic sales funnels.

Cons

• Not an immediate plug-in: events are part of a comprehensive membership management platform. The system is tailored to your needs through an onboarding process, so there is typically an implementation phase rather than a quick switch-on.

Cvent is a major player in the events market and is often chosen for complex programmes. It is particularly well known for handling large conferences and events with a lot of operational detail.

Pros

• Strong for scale: well suited to large events, complex registration rules and detailed operational workflows.

• Mature event tooling: broad feature set for event delivery, especially where logistics are the main focus.

• Good ecosystem: widely used in event-heavy environments, with established processes and integrations available.

Cons

• Separate from the membership system, which can create more admin: If your membership data sits elsewhere, teams may need to manually sync event bookings, attendance and payment activity back into their membership system. This creates extra admin and makes it harder to keep records fully up to date.

WildApricot is often used by smaller membership organisations that want a simple way to manage memberships and run events in one system, without a large project.

Pros

• Quick to adopt: a practical route to basic membership and event registration without heavy configuration.

• Accessible for small teams: suitable for volunteer-led groups and lean admin teams that need straightforward tools.

• Good for simple event programmes: works well for standard registrations, smaller events and basic communications.
  
  

Cons

• Can feel limiting as complexity grows: organisations with more advanced reporting needs, deeper segmentation or richer member experiences may find they outgrow the structure over time.

MemberClicks is commonly evaluated by professional bodies that want structured administration and reliable reporting. It can suit organisations where governance and formal processes play a big role.

Pros

• Robust back-office administration: often strong for membership operations, reporting and structured workflows.

• Good for established organisations: can align well with formal governance models and predictable admin requirements.

• Events included as part of a wider toolkit: useful when events need to sit within broader association management.
  
  

Cons

• Member experience can feel more administrative: the front-end experience may feel less modern, which can matter if you are focused on participation and community feel alongside operational control.

Glue Up is positioned as an all-in-one platform that combines events, membership and communications. It is often considered by chambers, business networks and associations that want a modern experience with fewer tools in the mix.

Pros

• Joined-up platform: events, membership management and communications can run in one system.

• Strong day-of experience: supports event delivery workflows that help teams run smoother check-ins and coordination.

• Modern approach: often appeals to organisations that want a contemporary interface and a broad toolset.
  
  

Cons

• Less suitable if you want a membership-first implementation: Glue Up is designed to get you up and running quickly, but this can lead to more standardised workflows that don’t align with your processes and need more manual workarounds. 

EventsAir is an event management platform often used for large conferences, multi-day programmes and events with more involved planning requirements. It is generally considered by organisations that need strong control over registrations, agenda management and event operations.

Pros

• Strong event operations: Well suited to conferences and programmes with multiple sessions, speakers and detailed registration paths.

• Good for complex event structures: Useful when events involve layered logistics, optional sessions or more advanced planning needs.

• Established event focus: Designed around event delivery, which can make it attractive for teams where events are a major operational priority.

Cons

• Less membership-centred: EventsAir is a standalone event platform, so it is less suited to organisations that want events to sit naturally within the wider membership experience. When event activity is managed outside the main membership platform, it can be harder to create a smooth journey across registrations, communications and ongoing member engagement.

Choosing the best membership event platform in 2026 comes down to the type of events you run and what success looks like for your organisation.

Cvent is a strong option for large corporate-style events where the priority is logistics at scale. It is built to manage high volumes, complex registration journeys and operational detail. In that world, many attendees are effectively one-off participants, so the platform is optimised around the event itself.

For societies and associations, VeryConnect is the best choice for membership events. It is purpose-built for membership organisations, with events running in the same system as member records, renewals, payments, invoices, emails and reporting. This creates one source of truth for member engagement - giving you clearer insights into participation and reducing the admin work that follows each event.

• VeryConnect: Best for Societies and Associations wanting a single source of truth.

• Cvent: Best for large corporate-style conferences and event logistics at scale.

• WildApricot: Best for smaller membership organisations and simple events.

• MemberClicks: Best for professional bodies requiring formal back-office administration.

• Glue Up: Best for networks wanting a modern, all-in-one membership and event tool.

• EventsAir: Best for large multi-day programmes and complex event delivery.