EventSync: FAQ

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

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

1. How hard is it to enter an event?
2. Once I've posted an event, can I make changes?
3. What if I cancel an event?
4. How can I upload a lot 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 this work with my content management system?
3. Do you have a 'starter' approach - I want to try it out first before doing any changes to my site?
4. Can I republish this data to our sister publications or other sites?

1. What is EventSync?

   EventSync links event organizers with those event promoters who need event meta data to power event search engines, industry event calendars, topical microsites, and even event links within articles and reports. Event promoters rely on EventSync for a consistently updated source of pertinent event information that is filtered to their interests. That means their readers and viewers will have the most current information possible when deciding which events to register for. So EventSync is the perfect tool to keep 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. Therefore, we focus on industry events of the type and topic pertinent to business, like conferences and tradeshows. 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.

3. Is EventSync an event search site?

   No, not at all. We're not a 'retail' site in the classic sense of the word. We're a behind-the-scenes enabler of retail sites. We're content to play a very specific role - that of feeding data to as many end points as we can.

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

   EventSync is one of the 70+ marketing modules created by mBLAST. Those who use mBLAST will also be interested in such modules as Awards, Media Credentialing, and Content Retrievers.

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

   No. mBLAST handles all of that. Your single sign up with EventSync saves you that hassle - in fact, it's the point of the service. EventSync will continue to add more event engines and publications over time to ensure an even broader reach to the market for your event data, saving you even more site visits and log-ons. If you happen to see an engine that we aren't already working with that you'd like us to connect to, please contact us and we'll pursue them 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. mBLAST 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?

   Entering an event is a one-page effort that should take no more than a few minutes per event.

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

   Yes. That's the power of EventSync. We understand that as your plans for an event evolve, so does the information. Add a day for pre-conference seminars? Change the venue because the exhibit hall is too small? Move the event to later in the year? No problem. Change it once in EventSync and watch it flow through the web. Note that while EventSync may communicate the changes right away, each endpoint will digest the information through a spectrum of automatic to manual processes. Some may take up to 24 hours to process. Any longer, give us a shout.

3. What if I cancel an event?

   Same thing. Log into EventSync. Click on the event. Change the status to Cancelled. Save. EventSync will notify Web destinations that the event is cancelled.

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

   If you already have your events in a database, our system can automatically read them in 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 in the longer term. If you have your events in a database, why not set it up so whenever an event changes in your system, it changes in our system, so it can flow through the Web too. 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?

   The events would have been uploaded by partners that are listing these events in their content, such as publications. It's a very typical starting point 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's 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?

   Sure you can. EventSync is an easy way to maintain your information in one place no matter where it is destined. You feeds for this come out of the mBLAST.com portal. Contact Customer Service to help you set this up.

2. Will this work with my content management system?

   Unless you have a really archaic or closed system, yes. EventSync can appear, for instance, as just an RSS or XML feed to your content management system, or a web service if your system can handle that. We're yet to run into a system that can't take content from EventSync.

3. Do you have a 'starter' approach - I want to try it out first before doing any changes to my site?

   Yes - what some editors have done, for instance, is accept an email output once a week to see what sort of events are being found, and they cut and paste these into their existing process. Over time, they've converted to the more automated feed for the pure simplicity of that approach. We're in no rush - we'll go at your pace.

4. Can I republish this data to our sister publications or other sites?

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