Product Update: Platform Experience Redesign, New Lobby Feature, and Restrict Registrations by Email Domain
Webex Events Platform 5.0
Event App 28.0.0
Onsite 1.1.10
Platform experience redesign
You've heard the saying "new year, new me", right? Well, the Webex Events Platform has taken that saying to heart and has become a better version of itself! It had a little help. 😉
When you log in to our planner platform at platform.socio.events, you'll now find a new menu structure and improved design throughout the Platform. We've also greatly simplified how Webex Events products connect. Keep reading to learn more and watch this video for a tour!
⭐️ Keep in mind, although this post mainly refers to Events, these changes also apply to Communities! 🙌 The attendee experience is completely unchanged by this release.
Start with an Event
The Registration, Onsite, Event App, Community, Lead Retrieval, and Live Display products have always been separate. If planners wanted to use them all, they had to create a new Registration event, a new Event (Event App), and a new Onsite event and then link them so attendee data could sync between them.
With the Platform experience redesign, you always start by creating a single Event, and then you configure the products you need from within that Event. No more switching back and forth between multiple different "events" per-product. Want to use only the Event App? Start by creating an Event. Interested in using only Registration and Lead Retrieval? Start by creating an Event. Want to... Ok, you get the point.
When you create your Event, you’re not committing to buying any products. You’re simply creating a space with unified naming and branding where you’ll configure and activate the Webex Events products you need.
Creating an Event couldn't be simpler — our awesome team worked hard to make sure of that. Simply enter your event's basic information, pick an event type, location, and dates, then choose a theme color and dark mode choice, upload a logo, and you're done!
Cloning an old Event now clones everything all at once! No more cloning the Event App, then Registration, then Onsite.
New Event dashboard
After creating your Event, you're directed to the brand new dashboard where you can start configuring the Registration, Onsite, Event App, Lead Retrieval, and Live Display products.
As your event progresses, the Activity section keeps you informed with key metrics that link to each related product's Metrics page.
The Useful Links section dynamically shows links to helpful videos, articles, and learning courses based on which products you've activated and how close your event date is.
Simplified product management
Configuring and managing products is much simpler now. From the dashboard, click the Start button below a product or click the product in the navigation bar on the left side of the screen to start configuring it. You can customize Registration, the Event App, and Onsite with unique titles, descriptions, colors, and images so the attendee experience is just right at every phase of your event.
⭐️ Keep in mind, Lead Retrieval and Live Display still require a published Event App or Community.
As you configure a product, use the left navigation bar to switch between settings and features. Worried we moved stuff on you? Worry not! The menu structure and configuration you're used to in each product is still the same except in a couple minor areas.
The new navigation bar makes everything in the Event App accessible from a single source — no more pre-publish and post-publish menus on separate pages! 🎉
"So what happens to my current events?"
All linked Registration events, Event Apps, Onsite events and associated Lead Retrieval and Live Display have automatically been merged into a single Event, so you can pick right back up where you left off. 👍
If you're using multiple products for the same event, and they weren't linked before this release, they'll still each have their own Event. There's more to explore, so go visit the Webex Events Platform and start getting familiar! We've been working hard to get updates ready for all of the Webex Events Knowledge Base articles. We expect all changes to be published by 4pm CST today. At that point, all articles will be completely accurate to the new interface!
New Feature: Lobby
For a long time, the Overview feature has had pride of place with the Announcements and Attendees features as one of the default features in an Event App. Although the Overview feature has served us well, it's time to move on to bigger things. 👋
Enter: the Lobby feature!
Just like attendees walking into your physical event venue are greeted with signage, information, and welcome messaging, the Lobby feature gives your virtual and in-person attendees a space to get oriented and informed in the Event App. Because it links to your Event App's most important content, such as Agenda sessions, Speakers, and Sponsors, the Lobby is a great springboard to get attendees moving to other features.
Configuring your Lobby is a breeze! Choose from 11 different Modules to display in the Lobby, including an event countdown, cover image, custom description, and custom images, plus Agenda sessions, live streams, and Speakers, Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Custom List items.
Like most other Event App features, you can add the Lobby to your Event App multiple times. This lets you limit each instance to specific attendee groups to create customized experiences for different types of attendees.
⭐️ Keep in mind, the Lobby feature has replaced the Overview feature for all Event Apps and Communities created after January 26, 2023. All Event Apps and Communities created before that date can still use the Overview feature unless you delete it.
For complete instructions for using the Lobby, read our brand new Feature Guide: Lobby article.
Restrict Registrations by Email Domain
Want only people from certain companies to register, or make sure people register with their work emails by blocking @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, and similar domains? This option is for you!
In your Event or Community navigation bar under ‘Registration', click Settings, then click General and scroll down to the 'Email Settings' section.
Read our Registration Settings Overview article for a complete look at Registration settings.
That's all for today, folks. We're so excited about how these updates will simplify the planner experience! Go check out these awesome changes for yourself on the Webex Events Platform, and don't hesitate to contact support with any questions or concerns.
