Quick-Start Guide: Designing your Event Portal Site

Welcome to your new Event Portal!

The Event Portal offers many new features and is equipped with a robust set of tools to help you showcase event pages that suit both your audience and your business needs. This three-part guide walks you through the steps to begin designing your site to ensure you're offering the best experience for your site visitors.

The first part lays the foundation for showcasing a Good Event Portal by establishing the essentials:

1. Customize your login home page.
2. Upload your main logo (site masthead).
3. Configure social media links for your event.
4. Perform navigation menu updates.

The second part helps build a Better site by adding to the essentials and customizing site style and themes:

1. Create a site footer.
2. Apply a site color scheme.
3. Define font type and appearance.
4. Tailor visual display elements. 

The third part ensures you're on your way to assembling the Best Event Portal site by taking advantage of some bells and whistles:

1. Display an event countdown clock.
2. Upload a browser favicon.
3. Design and associate virtual exhibitor badge icons.
4. Showcase partners on the login home page.
5. Create custom login messaging.

Note: If you are working with a team of Admins to set up your portal, be sure to configure admin permissions and confirm users on your team are granted the appropriate system admin permissions.

Let's get started!

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Part 1 - Good: Establish the Essentials.

This guide allows you to quickly and easily launch your exhibitor experience by setting up the basics.

Jump to Section:

1. Customize Login Home Page.

2. Upload a main logo (site masthead).

3. Configure social media links for your event.

4. Configure navigation updates.

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Customize Login Home Page

The Event Portal offers an additional layer of security by requiring an account for every unique user.

You may choose to create additional user account types, known in the system as User Segments, and grant other users (e.g., attendees, speakers) access to increase engagement between all event participants.

Tailor your login home page to ensure site visitors are greeted by your organization branding, logo, and event graphics on a custom background of your choice when first accessing your site. 

The home page displays a login button for users who have not logged in prior to visiting the site. As the event organizer, you can display a register button and allow attendees to create their own accounts to save favorites and interact directly with your exhibitors. 

Click Path - Access Home Page Configuration

Modify the login home page by first navigating to the Admin Panel and then completing the following:

1. Click Site Building Tools.
2. Click Home Page Editor.
3. Populate your Event Portal Tag Line Text.
4. Customize your Continue Button Text.
5. Upload a custom Background image.
6. Upload your event Logo image.
7. Click Save.

The following image provides an example of the Tag Line Text, Continue Button, and Logo image placement on a selected Background image.

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Upload Main Logo (Site Masthead)

Configure your event logo to display as the site masthead that appears on all pages next to the horizontal navigation bar.

There are two main logotypes: Large Logos appear on desktop sites and Small Logos appear on both desktop sites & smaller screens (e.g., mobile devices and tablets). If only one logo-type image is uploaded, the image is used for all screen sizes. 

The recommended Large Logo image size varies according to the Top Header setting located in the Details sub-menu. If the setting is enabled, the recommended Large Logo image height is 64px. If disabled, the recommended image height is 100px.

The recommended Small Logo image height is 32px.

Images must be saved as the PNG file type to successfully upload and appear.

Click Path - Upload Main Logo (Site Masthead)

Upload the Site Masthead by first navigating to the Admin Panel and then completing the following:

1. Click Site Building Tools.
2. Click Navigation Editor.
3. Click Logos.
4. Upload a Large Logo image by clicking Browse to search for & select an image file.
5. Upload a Small Logo image by clicking Browse to search for & select an image file. 
6. Click Save.

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Upload Social Media Links

You can display linked icons to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn accounts created for your event. Add social media links to appear on your Event Portal's login home page for users to easily access. 

Click Path - Upload Social Media Links

Upload your social media links by first navigating to the Admin Panel and then completing the following:

1. Click Site Building Tools.
2. Click Home Page Editor.
3. Click Social.
4. Enter the URL in the appropriate Social Media text field.
5. After all links are entered, click Save.

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Configure Navigation Updates

Ensure your end users can navigate your site by editing the links on the main horizontal navigation bar. Drag and drop item labels to configure the order in which they appear and display additional menu items to external sites or other pages within your site via the navigation editor in your admin panel.

Click Path - Configure Navigation Updates 

Configure your navigation bar links, order, and dropdown menus by first navigating to the Admin Panel and then completing the following:

1. Click Site Building Tools.
2. Click Navigation Editor.
3. Click Links.
4. Modify existing links by clicking Edit in the Actions column or add new links by clicking Create New Link.
5. After all modifications are complete, click Save.

Clicking Create New Link or Edit opens a pop-up menu where you can configure multiple link details including:

• Label - The link name that appears on the navigation bar.

• URL - The target URL that you wish to link to.

• Show Only to - Specify whether the link appears for all users, or only to those logged in or logged out.

• Open in New Window? - Toggle the checkbox to have the link open in a new browser tab when clicked.

Link internal pages by entering /[page name] or selecting the target page from the dropdown list.

Select the Enable Dropdown? checkbox then click Edit Dropdown to create and configure links displayed within the navigation bar dropdown menus. 

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After completing these initial configurations, your Event Portal is now equipped with the essential design elements and is good to go for Exhibitors to access their accounts and begin building their profiles. 

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Part 2 - Better: Add to the Essentials

The second part of this quick-start guide builds onto the Good event portal setup by incorporating additional settings that further align your Event Portal site with your organization and event branding.

Jump to Section:

1. Create a site footer.

2. Apply a site color scheme.

3. Define font type and appearance.

4. Tailor visual display elements.

Create a Site Footer

Design a uniform look from top to bottom by updating the appearance and details shown on your site footer. There are two types of footers you can choose to configure, either Standard or Modern. The Standard footer type allows for basic customizations whereas the Modern footer type offers additional configurable options.

Click Path - Customize the Site Footer

Customize your site footer by first navigating to the Admin Panel and then completing the following:

1. Click Site Building Tools.
2. Click Footer Editor.
3. Click Create New Link or Edit from the Actions column.
4. Populate the Label and URL fields with the link name you wish to display and the web address respectively.
5. Click Update.
6. After all of your links have been created, click Save.

Configurable Footer Options located in the Footer Details section include: 

Options for both Standard and Modern footer types:

• Link Background Color - Insert a hex color code to display footer links over a colored bar.
• Bar Background Color - Insert a hex color code to display Footer details over a colored bar.

• Footer Padding - Define the amount of space between the footer details. As the value entered increases, the space between the details decreases. 

- Standard Footers display copyright information on the left and the Powered by Personify Community statement on the right.

- Modern Footers display social media-linked icons on the left and both the copyright information & Powered by Personify Community statement on the right.

• Turn on Link Background Image - Display the footer links over a custom background image.
• Link Text Color - Insert a hex color code to define the text color displayed in the footer.
• Link Separator - Insert a character that appears between each footer link.
• Upload Bar Background Image - Display the footer details over a custom background image.
• Copyright - Insert your company name or other entity that owns your site.
• Copyright Color - Insert a hex color code to define the text color of your Copyright info.

Options only available with the Modern Footer type:

• Footer Background Image - Display footer links & details over a custom background image.
• Enable Social Media Links - Display icons that link directly to your Event's social account.

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Apply a Site Color Scheme

Quickly enhance the look, feel, and style of your event portal by choosing from pre-designed color palettes or creating your own color theme using hex color codes.

The sky is the limit when it comes to customizing the appearance of your Event Portal. In addition to defining the overall site color scheme, you can drill down and customize everything from title colors to text alignment via the Advanced Options sub-menu. 

Click Path - Customize your Site Colors

Customize your Site Colors by first navigating to the Admin Panel and then completing the following:

1. Click Site Building Tools.
2. Click Body Editor.
3. Select a pre-designed color scheme in the Themes sub-menu.
4. Optional: Create your own color scheme by entering custom color hex codes in the Colors sub-menu.
5. Optional: Further customize your site appearance by visiting the Advanced Options sub-menu.

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Define Font Type and Appearance

Specify the font type and color displayed throughout your Event Portal. If your desired font is not available, you can select a custom Google font option by clicking Custom Font located at the bottom of the Font dropdown menu.

Click Path - Customize your Site Font

Customize your font by first navigating to Admin Panel > Site Building Tools > Body Editor > Themer and then completing the following:

1. Click Fonts.
2. Select a font type from the Fonts dropdown menu.
3. Enter a hex color code or click the example color and use the color picker to define a font color.
4. Enter a hex color code or click the example color and use the color picker to define the link color.
5. After all customizations are complete, click Save.

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Tailor Visual Display Elements

Tailor additional visual display elements that are shown throughout your Event Portal. Mix and match your configurations to create an appearance that is unique to your event.

Click Path - Tailor Visual Elements

Tailor visual elements by first navigating to Admin Panel > Site Building Tools > Body Editor and then completing the following:

1. Click Themer.
2. Click Styles.
3. Select the preferred Rounding appearance of the page block: normal, extra, none.
4. Select the preferred Spacing of text displayed in the page block: normal, more, less.
5. Select the preferred page block Border thickness: normal, more, less.
6. After all customizations are complete, click Save.

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After applying these additional design configurations, your exhibitors and other site visitors can explore your event portal and have an even better experience learning all about your event.

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Part 3 - Best: Benefit from Bells & Whistles

The third part of this quick-start guide further develops a Better event portal setup by showcasing even more features to complete your site build-out, expand your end-user experience, and promote both your event and event exhibitors. 

Jump to Section: 

1. Display an event countdown clock.

2. Upload a browser favicon.

3. Design and associate virtual user badge icons.

4. Showcase partners on the login home page.

5. Create custom login messaging.

Display an Event Countdown Clock

Display event location details for your site visitors and encourage excitement about the upcoming event by adding a clock that counts down the number of days until your show.  

Click Path - Add a Countdown Clock

Add a countdown clock by first navigating to the Admin Panel and then completing the following:

1. Click Site Building Tools.
2. Click Navigation Editor.
3. Click Details.
4. Select the Enable Countdown Clock checkbox.
5. Modify the Clock text if desired then populate the Start Date & End Date.
6. Enter the Venue Name and City to display the event location details in the upper right-hand corner.
7. Click Save.

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Upload a Browser Favicon

A favicon is a custom icon associated with your Event Portal URL. When uploaded, it appears in the browser tab, the browser address bar, and in a bookmark list next to the site name. 

Click Path - Add a Favicon

Add a favicon by first navigating to the Admin Panel and then completing the following:

1. Click Site Building Tools.
2. Click Navigation Editor.
3. Click Logos.
4. From the Site Favicon section click Browse and select your desired image file. 
5. Click Save.

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Design and Associate Virtual User Badge Icons

Configure virtual user badge icons to display on visitor profiles as a unique way to call out different groups to which your users may belong (e.g., current exhibitor, speaker, attendee). 

In addition to appearing on target user profiles, these are also visible in your exhibitor directory and can be used as a searchable filter:

Click Path - Associate Virtual Badge Icons

Upload badge icon images and associate profile groups by first navigating to the Admin Panel and then completing the following:

1. Click Site Building Tools.
2. Click Badges Manager.
3. Click Add Badge, complete the form by uploading your image (recommended size: 128x128), entering a badge name, brief description, and associated user group segments, then click Save when finished. 
4. Click Add Organization Field to associate your badge with a previously configured custom field.
5. Click Save.

Important: Remember to click Save at the top or bottom of the Edit Badges page to ensure your configurations are not removed after leaving the editor. 

Return to the target user profile to confirm your badge icon uploaded successfully:

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Showcase Partners on the Login Home Page

Showcase additional partner companies or associations on your Login Home Page by displaying a logo that links to their site URL.

Click Path - Add Partners

Add partners by first navigating to the Admin Panel and then completing the following:

1. Click Site Building Tools.
2. Click Home Page Editor.
3. Click Partners.
4. Optional: Replace the pre-configured Partner Line Text.
5. Click Browse next to the Choose Image partner field then select your desired logo image.
6. Click Save.

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Create Custom Login Messaging

Creating a user account allows for greater access to your site and other benefits such as saving favorites, scheduling appointments with exhibitors, and connecting with other attendees who share similar interests. Provide additional messaging on your login home page instructing end users to create an account. 

Note: Exhibiting companies and associated booth contact(s) are synced to your Event Portal nightly and do not need to manually register for an account. However, promoting account registration to your site visitors helps to connect all user types (e.g., attendees & speakers) and allows for interaction with both exhibitors and each other. 

Click Path - Create a Custom HTML Block

Create a custom HTML block to display login home page messaging by first navigating to Admin Panel > Site Building Tools > HTML Block Builder and then completing the following:

1. Click Create HTML Block.
2. Enter a Block Name in the Block Details section, then add your messaging in the Block Content field.
3. Click Save.
4. Navigate to Site Building Tools > Page Editor, scroll down to the Home section, then click Edit next to the page named /home.
5. Scroll down to the Login block, then click Edit. 
6. Scroll down to the HTML Block field and select the custom HTML you created from the dropdown list.
7. Click Save. 

Important: Remember to click Save at the top or bottom of the Edit Home page to ensure your configurations are not removed after leaving the editor. 

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After completing the site design setup, your event portal is now prepared to give your exhibitors and end users the best impression about your event as they explore your site in preparation for your upcoming event!

Related Links:

- Quick-Start Guide: Setup the Exhibitor Hub Page

- Site Building Tools Overview

- Event Portal - Frequently Asked Questions