AI Agent for Event Venue Management: Inquiry Handling, Tour Scheduling, and Proposals

Why Venue Inquiry Handling Needs AI

Event venues receive dozens of inquiries daily — couples planning weddings, companies booking conferences, organizations hosting galas. Each inquiry requires understanding the event type, matching it to appropriate spaces, providing pricing, scheduling a site tour, and following up persistently. The average venue converts only 15 to 20 percent of inquiries because slow response times and inconsistent follow-up let prospects go cold.

An AI venue agent responds instantly to every inquiry, qualifies the lead, matches them to the right space, generates a customized proposal, and nurtures the relationship through automated follow-up — increasing conversion rates dramatically.

Venue Domain Model

from dataclasses import dataclass, field
from datetime import date, datetime, time, timedelta
from enum import Enum
from typing import Optional

class EventType(Enum):
    WEDDING = "wedding"
    CORPORATE = "corporate"
    GALA = "gala"
    CONFERENCE = "conference"
    BIRTHDAY = "birthday"
    FUNDRAISER = "fundraiser"
    SOCIAL = "social"

class InquiryStatus(Enum):
    NEW = "new"
    QUALIFIED = "qualified"
    TOUR_SCHEDULED = "tour_scheduled"
    PROPOSAL_SENT = "proposal_sent"
    NEGOTIATING = "negotiating"
    BOOKED = "booked"
    LOST = "lost"

@dataclass
class VenueSpace:
    space_id: str
    name: str
    capacity_seated: int
    capacity_standing: int
    square_feet: int
    indoor: bool
    features: list[str] = field(default_factory=list)
    suitable_for: list[EventType] = field(default_factory=list)
    base_rental: float = 0.0
    peak_rental: float = 0.0  # weekends, holidays
    booked_dates: list[date] = field(default_factory=list)

    def is_available(self, event_date: date) -> bool:
        return event_date not in self.booked_dates

    def get_rental_rate(self, event_date: date) -> float:
        if event_date.weekday() in (4, 5, 6):  # Fri-Sun
            return self.peak_rental
        return self.base_rental

@dataclass
class CateringOption:
    name: str
    price_per_person: float
    description: str
    min_guests: int = 20

@dataclass
class AddOn:
    name: str
    price: float
    unit: str  # flat, per_hour, per_person
    description: str

@dataclass
class EventInquiry:
    inquiry_id: str
    contact_name: str
    contact_email: str
    contact_phone: str
    event_type: EventType
    event_date: Optional[date] = None
    guest_count: int = 0
    budget: float = 0.0
    notes: str = ""
    status: InquiryStatus = InquiryStatus.NEW
    matched_spaces: list[str] = field(default_factory=list)
    tour_datetime: Optional[datetime] = None
    follow_ups: list[dict] = field(default_factory=list)
    created_at: datetime = field(default_factory=datetime.now)

@dataclass
class Proposal:
    inquiry_id: str
    space: VenueSpace
    event_date: date
    guest_count: int
    rental_fee: float
    catering_total: float
    addons_total: float
    discount: float = 0.0

    @property
    def subtotal(self) -> float:
        return self.rental_fee + self.catering_total + self.addons_total

    @property
    def total(self) -> float:
        return round(self.subtotal * (1 - self.discount), 2)

Building the Venue Agent Tools

from agents import Agent, function_tool

venue_spaces = [
    VenueSpace("GH", "Grand Hall", 300, 500, 5000, True,
               ["stage", "dance floor", "chandeliers", "bridal suite"],
               [EventType.WEDDING, EventType.GALA, EventType.FUNDRAISER],
               5000.0, 8000.0),
    VenueSpace("GR", "Garden Terrace", 150, 250, 3500, False,
               ["fountain", "string lights", "pergola", "garden views"],
               [EventType.WEDDING, EventType.SOCIAL, EventType.BIRTHDAY],
               3500.0, 5500.0),
    VenueSpace("BC", "Business Center", 200, 100, 4000, True,
               ["AV system", "breakout rooms", "projectors", "podium"],
               [EventType.CORPORATE, EventType.CONFERENCE],
               3000.0, 4000.0),
    VenueSpace("RL", "Rooftop Lounge", 80, 120, 2000, False,
               ["skyline view", "bar", "lounge furniture", "fire pits"],
               [EventType.SOCIAL, EventType.BIRTHDAY, EventType.CORPORATE],
               2500.0, 4000.0),
]

catering_options = [
    CateringOption("Cocktail Reception", 45.0, "Passed hors d'oeuvres and drink stations"),
    CateringOption("Plated Dinner", 85.0, "Three-course plated dinner with wine service"),
    CateringOption("Buffet", 65.0, "Chef-attended buffet stations with variety"),
    CateringOption("Brunch", 55.0, "Morning event with breakfast and lunch options"),
]

addons = [
    AddOn("DJ & Sound System", 1200.0, "flat", "Professional DJ for up to 5 hours"),
    AddOn("Floral Arrangements", 25.0, "per_person", "Centerpieces and ceremony florals"),
    AddOn("Photography", 2500.0, "flat", "8 hours of professional event photography"),
    AddOn("Valet Parking", 15.0, "per_person", "Full valet service for all guests"),
]

inquiries_db: list[EventInquiry] = []

@function_tool
def qualify_inquiry(
    contact_name: str, contact_email: str, contact_phone: str,
    event_type: str, event_date: str, guest_count: int, budget: float = 0.0,
    notes: str = ""
) -> str:
    inquiry = EventInquiry(
        inquiry_id=f"INQ-{len(inquiries_db)+1:04d}",
        contact_name=contact_name,
        contact_email=contact_email,
        contact_phone=contact_phone,
        event_type=EventType(event_type),
        event_date=date.fromisoformat(event_date) if event_date else None,
        guest_count=guest_count,
        budget=budget,
        notes=notes,
        status=InquiryStatus.QUALIFIED,
    )
    inquiries_db.append(inquiry)
    return f"Inquiry {inquiry.inquiry_id} created for {contact_name}. Event: {event_type}, {guest_count} guests on {event_date}."

@function_tool
def find_matching_spaces(event_type: str, guest_count: int, event_date: str) -> str:
    evt = EventType(event_type)
    target = date.fromisoformat(event_date)
    matches = [
        s for s in venue_spaces
        if evt in s.suitable_for
        and s.capacity_seated >= guest_count
        and s.is_available(target)
    ]
    if not matches:
        return "No available spaces match your requirements for that date."
    lines = []
    for s in matches:
        rate = s.get_rental_rate(target)
        lines.append(
            f"- **{s.name}** (seats {s.capacity_seated}, stands {s.capacity_standing})\n"
            f"  Features: {', '.join(s.features)}\n"
            f"  Rental: ${rate:,.2f} | {s.square_feet} sq ft"
        )
    return "\n".join(lines)

@function_tool
def schedule_tour(inquiry_id: str, tour_date: str, tour_time: str) -> str:
    inquiry = next((i for i in inquiries_db if i.inquiry_id == inquiry_id), None)
    if not inquiry:
        return f"Inquiry {inquiry_id} not found."
    tour_dt = datetime.strptime(f"{tour_date} {tour_time}", "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M")
    inquiry.tour_datetime = tour_dt
    inquiry.status = InquiryStatus.TOUR_SCHEDULED
    return (
        f"Tour scheduled for {inquiry.contact_name} on "
        f"{tour_dt.strftime('%B %d at %I:%M %p')}. "
        f"A confirmation email will be sent to {inquiry.contact_email}."
    )

@function_tool
def generate_proposal(
    inquiry_id: str, space_id: str, catering_choice: str,
    addon_names: list[str] = []
) -> str:
    inquiry = next((i for i in inquiries_db if i.inquiry_id == inquiry_id), None)
    if not inquiry or not inquiry.event_date:
        return "Inquiry not found or event date not set."
    space = next((s for s in venue_spaces if s.space_id == space_id), None)
    if not space:
        return f"Space {space_id} not found."

    rental = space.get_rental_rate(inquiry.event_date)
    catering = next((c for c in catering_options if c.name.lower() == catering_choice.lower()), None)
    catering_total = catering.price_per_person * inquiry.guest_count if catering else 0.0

    addon_total = 0.0
    selected_addons = []
    for addon_name in addon_names:
        addon = next((a for a in addons if a.name.lower() == addon_name.lower()), None)
        if addon:
            cost = addon.price if addon.unit == "flat" else addon.price * inquiry.guest_count
            addon_total += cost
            selected_addons.append(f"{addon.name}: ${cost:,.2f}")

    proposal = Proposal(
        inquiry_id=inquiry_id,
        space=space,
        event_date=inquiry.event_date,
        guest_count=inquiry.guest_count,
        rental_fee=rental,
        catering_total=catering_total,
        addons_total=addon_total,
    )

    inquiry.status = InquiryStatus.PROPOSAL_SENT

    addons_str = "\n".join(f"  {a}" for a in selected_addons) if selected_addons else "  None"
    catering_str = f"{catering.name} (${catering.price_per_person}/person)" if catering else "None"

    return (
        f"=== PROPOSAL for {inquiry.contact_name} ===\n"
        f"Event: {inquiry.event_type.value} | {inquiry.event_date.isoformat()}\n"
        f"Guests: {inquiry.guest_count}\n"
        f"Space: {space.name}\n\n"
        f"  Venue rental: ${rental:,.2f}\n"
        f"  Catering ({catering_str}): ${catering_total:,.2f}\n"
        f"  Add-ons:\n{addons_str}\n\n"
        f"  TOTAL: ${proposal.total:,.2f}\n\n"
        f"This proposal is valid for 14 days."
    )

@function_tool
def get_follow_up_queue() -> str:
    needs_followup = [
        i for i in inquiries_db
        if i.status in (InquiryStatus.QUALIFIED, InquiryStatus.PROPOSAL_SENT)
    ]
    if not needs_followup:
        return "No inquiries need follow-up at this time."
    lines = []
    for inq in needs_followup:
        days_old = (datetime.now() - inq.created_at).days
        lines.append(
            f"- {inq.inquiry_id}: {inq.contact_name} | {inq.event_type.value} | "
            f"Status: {inq.status.value} | {days_old} days old"
        )
    return "\n".join(lines)

venue_agent = Agent(
    name="Venue Management Agent",
    instructions="""You are a venue sales agent. Help event planners find the
    right space for their events. Qualify every inquiry by collecting event
    type, date, guest count, and budget. Match them to appropriate spaces,
    schedule tours, and generate detailed proposals. Follow up on open
    inquiries proactively. Be enthusiastic but not pushy.""",
    tools=[qualify_inquiry, find_matching_spaces, schedule_tour,
           generate_proposal, get_follow_up_queue],
)

Automating the Follow-Up Sequence

Venue sales depend on persistent follow-up. The agent triggers a sequence after each stage transition.

from datetime import timedelta

FOLLOW_UP_SEQUENCES = {
    InquiryStatus.QUALIFIED: [
        {"delay": timedelta(hours=1), "action": "Send venue brochure PDF via email"},
        {"delay": timedelta(days=1), "action": "Invite to schedule a tour"},
        {"delay": timedelta(days=3), "action": "Share testimonials from similar events"},
        {"delay": timedelta(days=7), "action": "Check in on decision timeline"},
    ],
    InquiryStatus.PROPOSAL_SENT: [
        {"delay": timedelta(days=2), "action": "Ask if they have questions about the proposal"},
        {"delay": timedelta(days=5), "action": "Offer to adjust the proposal"},
        {"delay": timedelta(days=10), "action": "Mention limited date availability"},
        {"delay": timedelta(days=14), "action": "Final follow-up before proposal expires"},
    ],
    InquiryStatus.TOUR_SCHEDULED: [
        {"delay": timedelta(days=-1), "action": "Send tour reminder with directions"},
        {"delay": timedelta(hours=2), "action": "Post-tour thank you and proposal offer"},
    ],
}

def get_next_follow_up(inquiry: EventInquiry) -> dict | None:
    sequence = FOLLOW_UP_SEQUENCES.get(inquiry.status, [])
    completed = len(inquiry.follow_ups)
    if completed < len(sequence):
        return sequence[completed]
    return None

FAQ

How does the agent handle inquiries where the client has not decided on a date yet?

The agent qualifies the inquiry with a flexible date range and presents availability across multiple weekends. It uses the venue's booking calendar to highlight dates that are filling up fast, creating gentle urgency without being pushy. The agent saves the inquiry as qualified and schedules follow-up to check in once the client narrows their date options.

What happens when two inquiries want the same space on the same date?

The agent follows a first-come-first-served policy for confirmed bookings, but can hold a date for 48 to 72 hours with a deposit. When a second inquiry requests an already-held date, the agent transparently communicates that the date is tentatively reserved, suggests alternative dates or spaces, and offers to place them on a waitlist in case the hold expires without a deposit.

How does the proposal system handle custom pricing negotiations?

The initial proposal uses standard pricing. When a client negotiates, the agent can apply pre-approved discount tiers: 5 percent for off-peak dates, 10 percent for multi-event contracts, and case-by-case discounts up to 15 percent with manager approval. Beyond that threshold, the agent escalates the negotiation to a human sales manager while keeping the client informed that a senior team member is reviewing their request.

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