35mm >> 16mm is a HUGE jump. What you use will depend on the specific nature of your shoot. When I shot events with a D90, it was 95% with a 17-50. The 11-16 came out VERY rarely.
I recently shot part of an event with a 14-24 (on a FF cam), but that was a special circumstance i.e. launch of ATM inside a shop, very small space, and had to include around 5 people too. Other than that, only for the odd dramatic shot.
I would think you'd be better served with a 17-50/2.8, but as I said, really up to your specific needs.
Oh, and be really careful with group shots with ultra-wides -- people at the sides get distorted