Planning an event in Slate? There are a few ways do it. This article helps you choose the right event structure for your needs.

Event structures

Your event can likely be managed by one of the following:

1. One form, multiple fields: Use form fields on the main event template to determine if a registrant will participate in additional activities.

2. Related events: Use related events on the main template to allow the registrant to register for additional events on the same day without submitting additional registration forms.

3. Multiple forms: Use separate event registration forms for different on-campus activities.

You can also use a combination of these.

Option 1: One form, multiple fields

Form fields let registrants use a single registration form to register for more than one on-campus activity occurring on the same day.

Good for ✅

• Multiple events on the same day

• Need to know whether registrants will participate in other events activities

• You’re only asking a few follow up questions

• The registration limit of the main event is sufficient for the other on-campus activities

• The registration form for the main event is sufficient to capture the information needed, with very few exceptions.

Be aware 📝

• Events must happen on the same day

• Main event’s registration limit must be sufficient for all possible activities

Example: Campus Visit

Use form fields on the main campus visit template to determine if a prospective student will participate in additional activities while visiting campus:

Option 2: Related events

Use related events on the main event template to allow registration for additional events on the same day without submitting multiple registration forms.

Good for ✅

• Your on-campus activities have registration different registration limits than the main event

• The registration form for the main event is sufficient to capture the information needed for the other on-campus activities, with very few exceptions

• The additional on-campus activities require significant changes to the communication plan

• You want to send separate constituent event communications

Be aware 📝

• Do not delete the basic fields that pre-populate the form

• Maintain distinct registration limits for the different activities

• Add Internal Only fields to the form to related event templates if that event requires specific administrative setup

Automated communications

Upon Registration communications for the Campus Visit template are sent to registrants.

Communications for related events that use any other triggers, including Upon update or Hours before event, are all sent for any registrants, regardless of which registration form was submitted.

📝 Upon registration communications are never sent for related event registrations.

Option 3: Multiple forms

This event structure is used for more complex on-campus events, where a single registration form would become cumbersome to collect all of the required information for each activity.

Prospective students can be directed to Event Landing Pages where each of the on-campus events are listed. Communication plans can be used to market additional events to encourage registrants to sign up for those other activities.

Good for ✅

• Complex registration forms that cannot be accommodated elegantly on a single registration form.

• A constituent event requires a complex 'upon registration' communication.

Option 4: Use a combination

If your events require a little bit of everything, mix and match the above options to suit your needs.

Example: Campus visit with overnight option

In this example, a single form houses the campus visit. On that form is a related event selector for class visits with options for each major. A separate form collects information regarding an optional overnight visit.

Up next: Creating an event template

Now that you’ve decided on an event structure, you can create an event template.