Insider Weekly has recognized Robert S. Kraus, founder of SmallConferences.com, as the Most Influential Nonprofit Event Planner, highlighting his transformative impact on the nonprofit event planning industry and his dedication to delivering cost-effective solutions for mission-driven organizations.
With over 20 years of industry experience and multiple professional certifications including Certified Event Planning Specialist (CEPS), Contract & Negotiation Specialist (CNS), and Medical Meeting Professional (MMP), Kraus has built a reputation for securing exceptional value for nonprofit clients while reducing the burden of event management on overworked teams.
Kraus holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia with concentrations in Marketing and Management, and maintains active memberships in several professional organizations including the Association of Meeting Professionals, where he earned Planner of the Year recognition in 2019. His credentials also include certifications from Meeting Professionals International, the International Association of Professional Event Planners, and the Professional Convention Management Association.
The award recognizes Kraus’s unique approach to nonprofit event planning, which focuses on three core principles: saving time, money, and stress for organizations with limited resources. Unlike traditional planners who may accept venue commissions, Kraus operates exclusively on behalf of his clients, leveraging his extensive industry relationships to negotiate rates that other planners typically cannot access.
“Robert always secures great deals for us, whether for one of our smaller, low-budget conferences or for one of our huge, record-breaking national conventions,” noted one client testimonial highlighting his consistent performance across events of varying scales.
SmallConferences.com specializes in comprehensive event management for nonprofits and small organizations, offering services that range from venue sourcing and contract negotiations to full-scale event execution. The company’s approach has enabled clients to achieve savings of 20-38% on venue costs and up to 50% on audiovisual services compared to traditional planning methods.
The recognition comes as nonprofit organizations increasingly face budget constraints while managing growing demands for meaningful donor engagement and community outreach events. Kraus’s model addresses these challenges by providing full-service planning without upfront fees, with clients paying only after securing venue contracts.
Recent client testimonials emphasize the comprehensive support provided by Kraus and his team. “Robert was always there early morning through late at night, handling all the details! All I had to do was show up, smile, shake hands, and have a good time,” shared one nonprofit leader, underscoring the stress-reduction benefits that have become a hallmark of SmallConferences.com’s service model.
The company’s commitment to nonprofit organizations extends beyond cost savings to include access to exclusive discounts specifically negotiated for mission-driven groups. This focus on the nonprofit sector reflects Kraus’s understanding of the unique challenges these organizations face when balancing impactful programming with fiscal responsibility.
As part of his continued commitment to serving new nonprofit clients, Kraus currently offers a 50% discount on venue sourcing and pre-event planning fees, along with complimentary reviews of previous events to demonstrate potential savings opportunities for future gatherings.
The Most Influential Nonprofit Event Planner award recognizes not only Kraus’s professional achievements but also his role in reshaping how nonprofits approach event planning, proving that high-quality, professionally managed events remain accessible even for organizations operating with constrained budgets and limited staff resources.