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Introduction
Venue finding has always been one of the more mysterious areas of the events industry. Clients know that venue finders help them source, compare, and secure the right space — but what many don’t know is exactly how venue finders get paid. The word “commission” can sometimes raise eyebrows. Does it make venue finders biased? Do clients end up footing the bill? Is the venue really the right choice, or simply the one that pays the most?
At Match My Venue, we believe in being upfront. We use a simple, transparent 10% commission model across the board. That means every venue and supplier pays the same rate, with no hidden incentives or backhanders. For our clients, this ensures peace of mind: recommendations are made solely on what’s right for the event.
In this article, we’ll demystify how commission works in the venue-finding industry, explain why it exists, and show you why transparency is the key to making it work for everyone — clients, venues, and agencies alike.
Why Venue Finders Use a Commission Model
Commission isn’t unique to venues. Travel agents, recruitment firms, and estate agents all work on similar principles — the supplier pays the introducer a fee for successful business.
For venue finders, it works like this:
You (the client) don’t pay a fee for us to search and shortlist venues.
Once you’ve booked and confirmed your event, the venue pays Match My Venue a commission.
The commission is a percentage of the contracted venue hire and pre-booked services.
This means clients get a professional service without paying directly out of pocket. Instead, the venue pays for the introduction, just as they would pay a marketing cost to attract new customers.
The Industry Problem: Commission Disparities
Not all venue finders are transparent, and not all charge the same. This is where issues arise.
Some agencies negotiate enhanced commissions with certain venues, taking 15%, 20%, or even higher in exchange for pushing more business their way. On paper, that might not affect the client — but in reality, it creates bias. A venue paying 20% looks more appealing to the agency’s bottom line than one paying 10%, even if the latter is the better fit for the event.
Clients may never know this is happening. They assume their venue finder is neutral when in fact recommendations could be financially influenced. This lack of transparency has historically been a weak point in the industry.
Match My Venue’s Approach: One Flat Rate
We’ve chosen a different path. At Match My Venue, we operate on a flat 10% commission across every venue and supplier we work with.
That means:
No enhanced commissions. We don’t accept 15–20% rates from certain venues to sway our decision-making.
No bias. A boutique venue in Shoreditch is treated the same way as a global hotel chain in Westminster.
Client-first focus. The only factor in our recommendations is whether the venue meets your event needs, budget, and objectives.
This approach ensures we remain a trusted extension of your team. Clients know exactly how we get paid, and venues know the cost of working with us upfront.
Who Really Pays for Commission?
It’s a fair question: if the venue pays commission, do they increase hire fees to cover it?
In practice, most venues see commission as a sales and marketing cost. Instead of paying for online advertising or sales staff to reach you directly, they pay a commission to agencies that bring them confirmed business.
That doesn’t mean clients pay more. In fact, with an experienced venue finder on your side, you’ll often pay less — because we negotiate on your behalf, know the going rates, and spot hidden charges. A venue might pay 10% commission, but we could save you 15% on minimum spends or find a better package deal.
In short: a good venue finder more than covers the cost of their commission.
The Value Clients Get from Commission-Based Venue Finding
Commission makes venue finding free for clients — but that doesn’t mean it’s “cheap.” Behind the scenes, a lot of expertise and resource goes into your venue search:
Market knowledge: We know which venues fit certain budgets, which ones are flexible, and which ones have hidden gems (like outdoor terraces or unique AV setups).
Time savings: A full venue search can take days of research, calls, and site visits. We do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.
Negotiation power: Venues are less likely to overcharge when they know a professional venue finder is involved.
Contract support: We review terms to flag risks (from cancellation clauses to service charges) that clients often overlook.
Supplier network: Beyond venues, our network covers AV, catering, décor, and more. Commission helps us maintain and grow those relationships.
This is why commission is not only fair but beneficial. It enables us to provide a high-value service without clients needing to pay consultancy fees upfront.
Transparency Matters: Why Clients Should Ask Questions
If you’re working with any venue finder (not just Match My Venue), you should feel comfortable asking:
What is your commission rate?
Do you accept enhanced commissions from certain venues?
How do you ensure neutrality in recommendations?
Any venue finder worth working with will answer honestly. If they dodge the question, consider that a red flag.
At Match My Venue, we’re proud of our flat 10% model and encourage clients to ask about it. We’d rather have open conversations than let doubts linger.
Commission and Trust: A Balanced View
It’s worth noting that commission isn’t inherently bad. It only becomes a problem when it’s hidden, inconsistent, or excessive.
Venues benefit too:
They get introduced to clients who may never have found them otherwise.
Commission ensures venues only pay when business is secured (no upfront listing fees or advertising gambles).
With transparent agencies, venues know exactly what percentage to budget for.
In fact, many venues prefer the commission model to paid listing platforms, because it creates a performance-driven partnership.
Commission in 2025: Where the Industry Is Heading
As the events industry matures, clients are becoming more aware — and more demanding — about transparency. Commission is under the spotlight, and agencies that hide or inflate their rates risk losing trust.
We believe the future lies in:
Standardised rates across the industry.
Clear disclosure to clients at the outset.
Commission neutrality: recommendations based only on suitability, not fees.
Hybrid models: some agencies may offer consultancy retainers instead of, or alongside, commission.
At Match My Venue, we’re already there. We’ve set our stall out with a simple 10% commission, no hidden deals, and no exceptions.
Conclusion: Why Transparency Wins
Commission is a fact of life in venue finding. It’s how agencies survive and how venues grow their business. But it doesn’t have to be a dirty word.
By sticking to a flat, transparent rate, Match My Venue ensures clients always come first. You’ll never wonder whether a venue was recommended because it’s the best fit — or because it pays us more.
That’s the difference between just another venue finder and a partner you can trust.
