Looking for an unbiased evaluation of the WP Event Manager plugin? Or are you curious in how to hold virtual events on your WordPress website? If so, you’ve come to the correct spot.

WP Event Manager is a well-known WordPress event management plugin that allows you to list events on your website. The main plugin is completely free and includes a plethora of useful features.

 

But wait, there’s more! You can also build exciting virtual events with full access to sessions, lounges, tables, and exhibitor halls by combining the plugin with certain premium add-ons. In fact, you may use it to create a full-fledged virtual event platform.

 

In this WP Event Manager review, we’ll go through its primary features, with a particular emphasis on the virtual event capabilities. We’ll also look through its cost, support, advantages and downsides, and other features. Finally, we’ll provide our opinion on whether it’s one of the greatest virtual events plugins or not.

 

So, without further ado, let’s get started with our WP Event Manager plugin review.

 

IN THIS ARTICLE: conceal

A. An Overview of WP Event Manager

B. WP Event Manager’s Key Features

C. WP Event Manager – Overview of Virtual Events

D. Characteristics of a Virtual Events Platform

E. How to Install and Configure the WP Event Manager Plugin

F. Using Virtual Expo Functionality to Create a Virtual Event Platform

WP Event Manager Pricing G.

WP Event Manager’s Customer Support Options

I. WP Event Manager – Advantages and Disadvantages

Is it the Best WordPress Events Plugin for Virtual Events in the End?

Conclusion

WP Event Manager – A Quick Overview

WP Event Manager is a robust and feature-rich WordPress event management plugin. You can quickly build and manage events on your WordPress website by using it. The events may range from digital, such as a webinar, to actual, in-person gatherings.

 

WordPress Event Manager Plugin

WordPress Event Manager

Furthermore, you may advertise your own events or encourage people to register and submit their own events to your site.

 

And the best thing is that you get to develop and manage events from both perspectives. It refers to the backend, i.e. The WordPress dashboard and your website’s frontend.

 

Not only that, but the plugin is totally responsive and compatible with all major browsers. Furthermore, it is translation-ready, allowing you to translate it into different languages.

 

It also supports all of the most popular WordPress plugins, such as SEO plugins and page builder plugins. It’s also effectively linked with key tools and email marketing providers like as Zapier, Mailchimp, Sendinblue, Active Campaign, and others.

 

Furthermore, the plugin includes a plethora of shortcodes and widgets. This allows you to add basic to complicated sections or features to your posts and websites. For example, recent events, forthcoming events, highlighted events, and so on.

 

As a result, installing this plugin makes it much simpler to organise and promote event listings. You just need to work from a single dashboard.

 

Aside from these, this plugin has a number of other important features. So, let’s continue with our WP Event Manager review to get to know them.

 

B. WP Event Manager’s Key Features

In this portion of the review, we’ll go over some of the most important features of the core WP Event Manager plugin. Let’s take a short look.

 

1. Forms for Submitting Ideas for Events

The core plugin lets you save events and their data on your WordPress site. And you may do so using the site’s front-end and back-end dashboards.

 

Using WP Event Manager to Create an Event on the Backend

Form for Back-end Events

You may create event listings using the back-end event form. As a result, you can quickly add the event title, description, event category, and event type. You may also provide other information such as location, venue, banner picture, date, time, organiser, and more.

 

WP Event Manager Review – Front-end Event

Form for Front-End Events

Registered users may submit their events while on the front-end submission form. They also get a preview of their listing before it goes live. Such events are pending unless the administrator approves them.

 

2. Easily Manage Events on Your Website

When it comes to managing events, you may do it from both the front-end and back-end of your website.

 

WP Event Manager is used to manage back-end events.

Backend Event Management

On the back end, you can see and manage all of the events. You may, for example, modify or remove events. You may also modify the event’s status from pending to authorised. You may also cancel events.

 

WP Event Manager is used to manage events on the front end.

Manage Front-End Events

Users with the ability to add events may also manage such events. So, after signing in and accessing their own dashboard, users may see and manage the events they’ve submitted. They may also alter or cancel their events using this.

 

3. Options for Ajax Search and Filter

You may use this plugin to add categories, types, and tags to your events. You also get to choose the locations and organisers for events. Using them makes event planning a lot simpler.

 

In addition, visitors may now search and filter the event listings to find the event they want to attend. You may also display a separate page for various sorts of events. For example, events in a given location.

 

WP Event Manage Review – Search and Filter Events

Event Search and Filter

Not to mention, a search option makes it easier for you and your users to discover information.

 

All of this is made possible by the event listings’ Ajax-powered search and filter tools. And you can quickly include them into your sites using shortcodes.

 

4. Dashboards for Event Organizers, Venues, and Administrators

The admin has a front-end event dashboard in addition to the back-end WordPress dashboard. They may then browse, add, and manage events, organisers, and venues.

 

WP Event Manager Review Organizer Dashboard

Dashboard of the Organizer

Organizers may also access their organiser dashboard and venue dashboard. As a result, they are able to control information regarding organisers and locations.

 

5. Field Editor with Significant Power

On your dashboard, WP Event Manager includes a robust field editor. If the default fields were insufficient to describe your events, you may use this editor to create new fields.

 

Additionally, the current fields may be edited or deleted. You may also edit the field labels, change the input type, and specify whether or not a field is necessary for submission.

 

WP Event Manager Plugin Field Editor

Editor-in-Charge

This allows you to keep and show the precise information of the events you want to. There are also field editors that may do the same for your organisers and locations.

 

6. There are a plethora of useful addons to help you extend the features.

There are a plethora of additional helpful add-ons available to increase the functionality of this plugin. More than 30 to be precise, and the number is continuously growing. Only a few are free, while the most are paid. Mobile APP, Divi Elements, and more free add-ons are available.

 

One of the paid ones is Google Maps, which allows people to discover the event place by searching on the map. You may also display a list of upcoming events in a calendar by using the Calendar add-on.

 

WP Event Manager Extensions

WP Event Manager Extensions

Similarly, the Registrations add-on enables people to register as an attendee for an event. While Sell Tickets is used to sell and manage tickets with WooCommerce. And these are only a handful of their names.

 

C. Overview of WP Event Manager – Virtual Events

For those who aren’t sure what virtual events are, here’s an explanation. A virtual event is an online gathering where individuals may engage in a virtual setting.

 

As a result, the virtual add-ons, in conjunction with the core WP Event Manager plugin, enable you to create a virtual event platform. You may also construct virtual platforms such as Airmeet, Hopin, vfairs, and so on.

 

Virtual Event Coordinator

Virtual Event Coordinator

Users must pay a substantial fee to hold their events on the aforementioned sites. WP Event Manager, on the other hand, allows users or organisers to establish their own comprehensive white-label virtual platform. This saves them a lot of money.

 

You and your event organisers may now plan, create, advertise, operate, and manage events on your website. It might be anything from a yearly conference to an exhibition to a social webinar. And these events will be much more entertaining and participatory than you could have imagined.

 

As a result, the following add-ons are needed with the core plugin for virtual events:

 

Registrations: With this add-on, invitees may register as attendees for an event.

Sell Tickets: This feature enables you and your organisers to sell tickets.

Expo Networking: This add-on is essential for holding virtual events. You may use it to host network exhibits or any other kind of event.

Speaker and Plan: With this add-on, you can enter speaker information as well as schedule event sessions.

For more information, see the WP Event Manager virtual events page.

 

D. Features to Consider When Creating a Virtual Events Platform

This WP Event Manager review article provided sufficient information regarding the key plugin functions. It’s now time to concentrate on the complex virtual event characteristics of its virtual extensions.

 

So, following a brief introduction of the add-ons, let’s have a look at the virtual event features it offers.

 

1. Multiple Sessions or Breakout Rooms may be created and managed.

You may control the main stage with the attendees, speakers, and host by using the add-on. In addition, you will be able to construct and manage several sessions or breakout rooms to engage the guests.

 

Virtual Expo has many sessions.

Several Sessions

There may be numerous speakers and hosts in a session. When users join a session, they will be able to view a live feed of that session. Attendees may also see forthcoming sessions with the speakers.

 

Before the session begins, users may meet the speakers backstage.

 

2. Features for Real-Time Conversation

In addition, the seminars are very engaging. Attendees may engage in one-on-one Q&A with speakers in real time. Users may also utilise emoji replies to raise their hands.

 

Interactions for Sessions at the Virtual Expo

Interactions

Not only that, but screen sharing is an option as well. Furthermore, files may be exchanged for a more professional presentation. If polls and surveys are required for a session, these may be added as well.

 

3. Booth that is Interactive and Customizable

An interactive and customisable booth is a great method to make consumers aware of your company. You may use this plugin to create booth tables for meetings. Users may swap business cards, download brochures, see product demonstrations, and more using this.

 

There is also a live chat or video option for guests to communicate with the exhibitors. You may simply improve your company with such features.

 

4. Online Ticket Sales

As previously stated, the add-ons offer a white-label solution. That is why you will be able to sell the tickets on your own using the virtual platform.

 

On WordPress, you may sell tickets.

Purchase Tickets

To begin, you can simply process registrations and then offer tickets to attendees. In addition, the plugin supports over 100 payment methods for accepting ticket payments. As a result, you’ll have additional alternatives for selling online tickets as you see fit.

 

5. Admin and Organizer Mobile App

Administrators and event organisers may also administer their events from their mobile devices. It’s due to the smartphone app, which is accessible on Google Play and the App Store.

 

The administrator may check the overall number of views, tickets sold or available for an event, and so on. They may also see who has registered for an event. While organisers can determine the number of users who have come at the event and more.

 

They may use this to roll in and interact with more individuals in order to promote the events. And they may link from anyplace, without regard for geography.

 

6. Increase your sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

While utilising this plugin, sponsors, partners, and exhibitors learn more about your brand. Because you may create specialised sponsor spaces, sponsored seminars, and branded social lounges. You will also be able to improve your sponsorship and relationship.

 

Going through all of these capabilities demonstrates that you can interact and communicate with your attendees and other people from any location. Whether it’s from the group discussion tables, lounge, booths, or wherever else, you may do it with any mobile device. This demonstrates your ability to provide an excellent user experience.

 

E. How to Install and Configure the WP Event Manager Plugin

To get started with your virtual event platform, you’ll need the core WP Event Manager plugin as well as a few other add-ons.

 

So, with this portion of the WP Event Manager review, we’ll walk you through the processes for installing and configuring them.

 

1. The Free Core Plugin

First, you must have the core plugin installed on your website. So, kindly follow these instructions.

 

Step 1: Download, install, and activate the plugin.

Log in to your WordPress dashboard and then go to the Plugins menu, where you will find the Add New option. You must now click on the Install Now button after searching for the plugin there.

 

Install the WP Event Manager Plugin right now.

WP Event Manager Plugin Installation

Following that, you’ll see the Activate button. Simply click there.

 

WP Event Manager Plugin should be activated.

WP Event Manager Plugin should be activated.

When finished, the plugin will be fully installed and active on your site.

 

For a step-by-step tutorial, see our article on how to install a WordPress plugin.

 

Step 2: Configuration using the Setup Wizard

When the activation is complete, you will see a new option on your dashboard called Event Manager. You may also use the setup wizard to configure the plugin.

 

Setup Wizard – Continue Page Setup

Continue with Page Setup

So, first, click the Continue to page setup option. The plugin is then recommended to automatically construct various pages on your site that are necessary for a virtual event. It contains features such as Post an Event, Event Dashboard, Events, and more.

 

Setup Wizard – Create Selected Pages

Make a List of Pages

We also suggest that you give the plugin permission to create these pages. That is why you should click the Create chosen page button.

 

Finish the Setup Wizard

Setup is complete.

Now that the setup is complete, you may begin utilising the free features.

 

Step 3: Customize the WP Event Manager Options

But first, let’s take a look at some of the WP Event Manager plugin’s options. You may wish to do this if you want to add additional features or enable/disable some plugin functionality.

 

Configuration in the Core WP Event Manager Plugin

WP Event Manager Preferences

(I) In general

You may activate or disable the functionality for organisers and venues from this page. When you remove the plugin, you also have the option of erasing all data. In addition, you can provide your location by including a Google API key.

 

(II) Calendar of Events

You may manage your event listing page with this option. As a result, you have control over how many listings appear on a single page. There are also options to conceal cancelled events, expired listings, and other information.

 

(III) Event Registration

The Event Submission setting is next, which focuses on uploading events from the front end. Before submitting lists, you may check to see whether people have an account. There are other choices for account creation, role, username, password, and more.

 

Pages (IV)

The Pages parameter displays the location of the pages that were produced automatically by the plugin. You may adjust the position of the features and functionalities on other pages from here.

 

(V) Time and Date Format

Finally, in this area, you may customise the format of the date and time pickers. You may also put a divider for date and time, and so forth.

 

Remember to click the Save Changes button after making changes to your preferences.

 

2. Premium Virtual Event Platform Addons

We’ve previously explained that in order to construct a virtual event platform on your WordPress site, you’ll need four add-ons. So, the instructions following will walk you through installing and activating those pricey add-ons.

 

Make certain that you strictly adhere to them.

 

Step 1: Buy the Addons

First and foremost, you must acquire these four add-ons. To do so, go to the Add-ons option on the plugin’s main page. You may also do it via the Add-ons area of your WordPress dashboard’s Event Manager menu.

 

Select the Premium Add-ons option.

Choosing the Add-ons

Then, locate the desired add-on, such as Expo Networking, and click the Learn More option. Now, choose a price plan from the two choices and click the Add to Cart button.

 

Adding Extras to the Cart

Adding Extras to the Cart

After you’ve completed one, repeat the process for the other three add-ons.

 

Proceed to the Checkout page to purchase add-ons.

Continue to the Checkout

Then, under the navigation, click the cart symbol to proceed to the cart page. Click the Proceed to Checkout button on the cart page.

 

Fill in all of your essential personal and payment information on the checkout page. Finally, if you’re using the PayPal gateway, click the Proceed to PayPal button to complete the payment and download the add-on files.

 

Step 2: Add-ons must be uploaded, installed, and activated.

You must now upload the downloaded files in order to install the add-ons. And we’ll walk you through the process of one of the four add-ons. Once you’ve completed the procedures for one add-on, you must repeat the process for the other add-on files.

 

To use the Sell Tickets add-on, you must have WooCommerce installed on your site.

 

So, first, go to the Plugins menu and choose the Add New option. There, first click the Upload Plugin button, then the Choose File button. After you’ve finished uploading the file, click the Install Now option.

 

Install the Virtual Expo Add-on.

Installing the Add-on

When the installation is finished, click the Activate button. As a result, the add-on is activated and ready to use.

 

Putting the Add-On Into Action

Putting the Add-On Into Action

You may also notice the new menus that have been introduced to your dashboard, such as Event Registrations, Exhibitors, and Speakers.

 

It’s worth noting that you may also enter the licencing key for each add-on. This will supply you with updates and additional information about it.

 

Step 3: Customize the Add-on Options

We already reviewed some of the parameters available via the core plugin. Following the activation of the add-ons, certain more options are now available in the Event Manager menu’s Settings section.

 

Additional Add-on Configurations

Settings for Add-ons

They are as follows:

 

(I) Ticket Sales

You may allow or deactivate the display of free, paid, and contribution ticket fields on the events form here. There are also a few ticket layout alternatives to pick from. You may also upload your own ticket PDF there.

 

(II) Networking at the Expo

This plugin requires be linked with three third-party services: Agora, Firebase, and Amazon S3. They are responsible for the management of virtual event elements such as live streaming, real-time chat, and event recordings. As a result, under this option, you must input a variety of details about your account on these services.

 

Speakers (III)

This setting only has one option, which is to delete all of the speaker’s data when you delete the plugin. As a result, once the data has been deleted as a result of the plugin’s deletion, it cannot be restored.

 

We’ll go over these premium features in greater detail in the following section of this WP Event Manager review.

 

F. Using Virtual Expo Functionality to Create a Virtual Event Platform

In this portion of the review, we’ll show you how to use the WP Event Manager plugin to establish a virtual event platform. And it’s done via the plugin’s add-ons’ virtual Expo feature.

 

You can now virtually manage exhibits, fairs, and networking events on your website. It also works with a certain mix of admin and organiser settings.

 

So, please take your time and carefully follow these instructions.

 

The first step is to integrate Agora, Firebase, and Amazon S3.

Your WordPress website’s server is incapable of handling event live streaming, real-time messaging, or event recording. WP Event Manager collaborates with several third-party services to create these features.

 

That is why you must set up your site with three services in order to accomplish so. Each of them is:

 

1. Agora

The plugin makes advantage of Agora’s live streaming API. It can now handle real-time audio and video streaming. It also gives users with real-time interactive activities.

 

2. Firebase

The plugin makes use of Firebase to provide real-time messaging, Q&A, and polling functionality. Your participants will be able to have a real-time dialogue and an engaging experience as a result of this.

 

3. S3 (Amazon S3)

For the plugin, Amazon S3 offers an interactive recording option. This allows you to automatically export recordings, create screen recordings, and so forth.

 

The plugin’s creator has provided step-by-step instructions for receiving these three services. So you may look into it.

 

Step 2: Customize the Expo Networking Settings

After obtaining an account and receiving all three services, you must setup them on the plugin. To do so, go to the Settings option in your WordPress dashboard’s Event Manager menu. There, choose the Expo Networking settings option.

 

In the preceding section, we provided a quick overview of this configuration. So, in this setting, you must now fill in the data for the three services.

 

Expo Networking Preferences

Configuring Expo Networking Parameters

First, choose Agora from the Media Service Provider selection menu. Then, input your Agora APP ID and Agora APP Certificate, which you’ll get after creating an Agora account.