EventSync: FAQ

1. What is EventSync?
2. What types of events does EventSync focus on?
3. Is EventSync an event search site?
4. What is mBLAST and how is EventSync related to it?

1. If I sign up with EventSync do I still need to sign up with other non-mBLAST event search engines too?
2. How much does EventSync cost?

1. How hard is it to enter an event using EventSync?
2. Once I have posted an event, can I make changes?
3. What if I want to cancel a scheduled webinar?
4. How can I upload a number of events all at once?
5. Can I send you a file of events to load in?
6. I just now signed up for EventSync and already see some of my events listed; how did they get there?

1. Can I access this data for my own site?
2. Will EventSync work with my content management system?
3. Do you offer a "test" run? I want to try EventSync before making any changes to my site.
4. Can I republish data from my content management system to our sister publications or other sites?

1. What is EventSync?

   EventSync is an mBLAST module that links event organizers with those event promoters who are seeking event meta-data to power their event search engines, industry event calendars, topical microsites, and even event links within articles and reports. Event promoters rely on EventSync for continually updated source of pertinent event information that is filtered in accord with their interests so their readers and viewers will have the most current information possible when deciding which events to attend. The mBLAST EventSync module is the perfect tool for keeping databases, websites, and people in sync on upcoming events.

2. What types of events does EventSync focus on?

   EventSync is aimed at a business-oriented audience. We focus our attention on business events, such as conferences and tradeshows for specific industries. Event organizers and promoters who use EventSync share this focus. Currently we do not support consumer, entertainment-oriented events like bar and theater schedules, concerts, performing arts, sports dates, etc. EventSync does support the following types of events:
   
   

   • Forum/Association/Standards Body Meetings
   • Conference Calls
   • Summits
   • Tutorials
   • Conferences
   • Seminars
   • Roadshows
   • Workshops
   • Birds-of-a-Feather Sessions
   • User Group Meetings
   • Expositions
   • Tradeshows
   • Webcasts/Live Webinars
   • Webcasts/On Demand Webinars
     
   
   If you feel that you host a business-oriented event that is not listed above, please contact mBLAST Customer Service.

3. Is EventSync an event search site?

   No, not at all. We are an intermediary distributer of marketing information. We have developed very sophisticated software tools that allow us to collect data from selected upstream "wholesale" sources, clean up the data, and then pass it along to numerous selected downstream "retail" recipients that distribute the data to their viewers and readers.

4. What is mBLAST and how is EventSync related to it?

   EventSync is one of more than 70 marketing oriented modules that together make up mBLAST. Most users of EventSync are also interested in other mBLAST modules, such as Awards, Media Credentialing, and Content Retrievers.

1. If I sign up with EventSync do I still need to sign up with other non-mBLAST event search engines too?

   No, mBLAST will handle all of your event related needs. In fact, that's the point of your using mBLAST. Over time EventSync will continue to add new sources of event information from data engines and publications to ensure an ever expanding source of event data from which to mine the data its users require. No more time wasted on fruitless site visits and log-ons. EventSync is all you need to stay ahead of what's happening in the marketing events arena. Also, if you find an engine that is not included in EventSync, but you want to access it, just contact us and we will pursue it for you.

2. How much does EventSync cost?

   EventSync is part of a suite of services offered to the industry at no cost. We offer these services to expose you to the power of mBLAST, which offers more than 70 different services designed to help marketers get the word out on their products and services, just like EventSync. Check us out!

1. How hard is it to enter an event using EventSync?

   Entering an event is a brief (one-page) on-line task that should take you no more than a few minutes to complete.

2. Once I have posted an event, can I make changes?

   Yes. That's part of the power of EventSync. We understand that as your plans for an event evolve, so does the information you want to distribute about the event. Want to add a day for pre-conference seminars, or change the venue because the exhibit hall originally booked turns out to be too small? Maybe you want to move the event to later date? No problem. Change it once in EventSync and watch it flow out through the web. Note that while EventSync may communicate changes right away, each endpoint will digest new information through a spectrum of automatic and/or manual processes. Some could take up to 24 hours to process. If it takes any longer give us a shout.

3. What if I want to cancel a scheduled webinar?

   Just log into EventSync. Click on the event. Change the status to Cancelled. Save. EventSync will automatically notify the appropriate web destinations that the event is cancelled.

4. How can I upload a number of events all at once?

   If you already have your events in a database, our system can automatically store them via any sort of XML, RSS, or other feed. Check out our Developer Zone or contact Customer Service to find out more.

5. Can I send you a file of events to load in?

   Sure, but you might want to consider some of our APIs (application programming interface) for the longer term. If you have your events in a database, why not set it up so that whenever an event changes in your system it changes in our system, allowing it to flow through the web as well. How cool is that? Otherwise, if you have everything in an Excel or other file, just drop a note to Customer Service asking for help.

6. I just now signed up for EventSync and already see some of my events listed; how did they get there?

   Your events would have been uploaded by mBLAST partners, such as industry publications, that routinely list events in their content. It is a very typical starting place for end point promoters using EventSync for the first time. By uploading their information into our systems, they know that their existing events are covered when they start taking feeds from us. If you see any errors, that is a great reason why you want to use EventSync - you can edit your records and changes will pass through to the sites fixing them.

1. Can I access this data for my own site?

   Absolutely. EventSync is an easy way to maintain your event information in one place no matter its ultimate destination. Your feeds for this information come from the mBLAST.com portal. Contact Customer Service for help setting this up.

2. Will EventSync work with my content management system?

   Yes, it will, unless you have a really archaic or closed system. EventSync can appear, for instance, as just an RSS or XML feed to your content management system or as a web service if your system can handle that. We have never encountered a contact management system that cannot take content directly from EventSync

3. Do you offer a "test" run? I want to try EventSync before making any changes to my site.

   Yes, we do. What some editors have done is accept an email input from EventSync once a week to see what types of events are being found. They cut and paste these inputs into their existing process. However, all such users convert to the mBLAST automated feed once they confirm its ease of use and reliability. We are in no rush and will be happy to go at your pace

4. Can I republish data from my content management system to our sister publications or other sites?

   No problem. Our clients are event organizers who want their data spread as far and wide as possible. What we would want to ensure is that your model also allows for updates and changes to flow downstream. But, since there is no charge for taking data from EventSync, why not just have them supply their own feeds directly from our system? Either way, we are happy to have more sites and databases as part of the EventSync network.