To get started:
When you install the plugin, you will see new menu items for Sessions, Speakers, and Exhibitors. Just click Add New, fill out the content, fields, and featured image. When you publish, each Session, Speaker, or Exhibitor will be visible on the front end.
To display a list of sessions, speakers, or exhibitors, go to any page and insert a Sessions Block, Speakers Block, or Exhibitors Block. Each block has a few options to customize the layout.
If you want to sell tickets, create an EventBrite account and add your tickets there. Follow EventBrite’s instructions to embed a ticket purchase interface in any post or page.
If you are also using Show Pro, our theme offers the ability to import complete, exact copies of our demos. Just go to the ShowThemes Pro page from your admin main menu, and click to import one of the demos.
The import process will also install the Conference plugin if it’s not already installed, and will import demo Sessions, Speakers, and Exhibitors, including all needed pages.
This is by far the easiest way to get started adding event content.
To add Session, from your WordPress dahsboard, click on Sessions > Add Session from the main menu. Then add the following details for your Session:
SESSION NAME. Add your session name as the Page title.
SESSION DESCRIPTION. Add a description in the main content area of the post (via the block editor). You can make this as short or as long as you like, and can use all the usual functionality of the WordPress block editor.
SESSION DATE. Add the date of the session. This field has formatting that will help you format the date correctly.
SESSION START AND END TIMES. Add the Session start and end times. Again, follow the formatting suggested in the input field.
SESSION EXCERPT. Enter a Session excerpt, a short summary of the session content or purpose.
SESSION FEATURED IMAGE. Don’t forget to add a featured image to the page. This isn’t necessary, but the formatting of the session page, and your overall session lists and schedules, will look much better of a featured image is added.
SESSION SPEAKERS. You must add Speakers (see below) before you can add them to your session. Assuming you’ve done that, click the link to add Speakers to your session. A popup window will show all available speakers. Click the ones participating in this session and save.
LOCATION. Many conferences have specific areas where sessions take place, such as Ballroom #1 or Ballroom #2 or Room 123. On the side bar, add the location for this session. If you’ve already added locations they will already show up here, and you can just click them.
TRACKS. Many conferences have multiple Tracks for their session. On the side bar, add the Track for this session. If you’ve already added Tracks they will already show up here, and you can just click them.
Once you publish your Session, a page will automatically be created on the front end with all the session details. The URL for each session is:
www.domain.com/sessions/the-name-of-your-session.
Once you have created the Sessions for your event, you can display a full conference schedule.
To do so, insert a Session Block on any page or post, and customize using the settings. See details on Blocks below.
To add Speakers, click on Speakers > Add New from the main menu.
From this page, add all of the following. Again, note that the name and description are added via the normal page title and content area. Below those are separate settings where you’ll add additional speaker details.
SPEAKER NAME. Add your speaker name as the Page title.
SPEAKER BIO/DESCRIPTION. Add a description or bio in the main content area. You can make this as short or as long as you like, and can use all the usual functionality of the WordPress block editor.
SPEAKER PROFESSION. Add your speakers title or profession.
SPEAKER SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS. Add any social media accounts for your speaker. First add the urls to their account (such as https://www.twitter.com/speakername). Be sure to include the https:// part of the url. Then add the icon for which ever account you are adding. The options are Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, Instagram, Pinterest.
SPEAKER IMAGE. Add a photo of speaker by adding it as a featured image to the page.
Note that once you add a Speaker, a page will automatically be created on the front end with all the Speaker details. The URL for each Speaker is:
www.domain.com/speakers/speaker-name.
Once you have added your Speakers, you can display a list of Speakers. To do so, insert a Speakers Block on any page or post. See details on Blocks below.
To add a Sponsor or Exhibitors, click on Exhibitors > Add New from the main menu.
As with Sessions and Speakers, you’ll add a Exhibitor name and description using the normal page title and content area, and then fill out other details below the content area.
EXHIBITOR NAME. Add your speaker name as the Page title.
EXHIBITOR DESCRIPTION. Add a description or bio in the main content area. You can make this as short or as long as you like, and can use all the usual functionality of the WordPress block editor.
EXHIBITOR PHONE, EMAIL, WEBSITE, AND LOCATION. Add the speaker’s phone, email, website, and/or location. None of these fields is required. For the website, be sure to add it using https:// at the beginning, such as https://www.myexhibitor.com.
EXHIBITOR IMAGE. Add a photo for the Exhibitor by adding it as a featured image to the page.
Note that once you add an Exhibitor, a page will automatically be created on the front end with all the Exhibitor details. The URL for each Exhibtor is:
www.domain.com/exhibitors/exhibitor-name.
Once you have added your Speakers, you can display a list of Speakers. To do so, insert a Speakers Block on any page or post. See details on Blocks below.
The Conference Plugin offers four blocks: Sessions, Speakers, Exhibitors, and Timer.
To add a block, go to any page or post and click the icon to add a block – like you would any other block. Choose the block you want and adjust the blocks settings as desired. Each of these blocks is simple and straightforward.
This will add a list of Session. You can show a tabbed filter for your sessions by date, limit the number of Sessions shown, show only specific Sessions by adding the page IDs of your desired Sessions, and customize a few styling components for the sessions.
This will add a list of Speakers. You can limit the number of Speakers shown, and also show only specific Speakers by adding the page IDs of your desired Speakers.
This will add a list of Exhibitors. You can limit the number of Exhibitors shown, and also show only specific Exhibitors by adding the page IDs of your desired Exhibitors.
This will add a countdown timer. You can set this timer to end on a specific custom date, or set it to end at the time of a specific session by entering the page ID of that session.
The Conference Plugin is designed to integrate with EventBrite.
Set up a free Eventbrite account, create your event and tickets, and then follow Eventbrite’s instructions for embedding the ticket sales interface on your website.
Here’s a video that walks through the entire process in real time, from creating an Eventbrite account to a working check out on a website.
