The logistics of creating and working with a big event are not different from working with other events in MinistryPlatform. What distinguishes a Big Event is that it is promoted publicly, it may involve complex registration options, and it may involve volunteer teams. For all of these reasons, it is important to create your event with the public in mind.

Things to keep in mind

• You don't have to get it all right immediately. You can come back and edit later.
• Get the big picture details as right as possible before you submit your Event for approval.
• Pay attention to what the public sees. Once your Event is approved, go to the Event Calendar to determine if it would be clear to a casual website guest.
• Setting up a multi-day event? Consider the registration process described below.
• Talk to your SPoC about whether you need a new Product or a Custom Form to capture additional information from registrants.
• Talk to your SPoC about whether you need a special Process that notifies you when people register.
• Talk to your SPoC about whether you will have a special nametag design for Check-In. 

If you are unsure of how to create an event, see the Event Registration section to get started.

Settings and actions that impact what people see on the Portal

• Event Title: Name it exactly as you will promote it in your communication.
• Congregation: Determines the Congregation filter the Event displays under on the Event Calendar.
• Location: Determines the name and address that displays in the Event Details & Registration widget. If no location is provided on the Event record, the location associated with the Congregation displays.
  
• Meeting Instructions: Displays on the Event Details & Registration widget, and can display in the emailed receipt each registrant receives.
• Event Description: Displays on the Event Finder and Event Details & Registration widgets.
• Program: Determines the Ministry filter the Event displays under on the Event Finder.
• Image: Displays on both the Event Finder and Event Details & Registration widgets.
• Primary Contact: Displays on the Event Details & Registration widget.
• Event Start Date: Should be the exact DATE AND TIME that the Event starts. This is the date and time your website visitors see on the Event Finder and Event Details & Registration widgets.
• Event End Date: Should be the exact DATE AND TIME that the Event ends. 
• Visibility Level: For the Event to displays on the Event Finder widget, set the Visibility Level to 4-Public.

Settings and actions that impact registration

• Participants Expected: Allows you to automatically close registration when a certain number of Event Participants (with a status of registered) is met.
• Registration Form: If you need to gather additional information, indicate a Custom Form here. 
• Online Registration Product: Price and options you will present to each person registering for the Event.
• Registration Start and Registration End: Leave blank unless you want to control when people can register. If you leave these blank, people can begin to register immediately and continue to register right up until the Event Start Date.
• Registration Active: Must be Yes if you want people to be able to register.
• Force Login: If yes, registrants must log in before going through the registration process.
• External Registration URL: You can optionally indicate a third party application link to direct people to this URL for registration. If entered, this overrides the Registration Active field and displays the "Register" button.
  
• Submit: Your Event for approval so that it can appear on the Event Calendar.

Settings and actions related to Check-In

See Enable Check-In for an Event.

Single Registration Form for Multiple Event Dates

Use the steps below to create an event registration that allows people to register for multiple event dates with a single registration form. (For example, a weekly event where people pick and choose which weeks they’d like to attend.)

1. Create a Group for each of the Events.
2. Create an Event for registration. Note: This should be a dedicated registration event and is not the event that will appear on multiple dates in the calendar and is not used for room reservations.
3. Create a Product with Product Option Prices.
   1. One Product Option Price for each group (event date)
   2. For each product option, use the "add to group" option and associate the corresponding Group.
4. Create an Event for each date.
5. Associate the appropriate Group with each date.

Participants registered for each date can be viewed within the appropriate group.