What's new?
Event series
2023
Jun
Export bookmarked participant list
UpdatesYou can export the list of participants who have bookmarked any particular session and gain valuable data easily.
Canada's ticket tax rates: Dynamic adjustments
UpdatesIn Canada, you have the power to tweak ticket tax rates even after the event kicks off. When setting up a new tax rate, rest assured that it will be seamlessly applied to new orders. Meanwhile, existing orders will continue to have the previous tax rate in place.
Enhanced form management
UpdatesUsers who are signed in to the microsite can now view and edit their form responses after submission. We've added more options, including form status and expiry dates, response limits, and view/edit access to give you the power to fine-tune every aspect of your forms.
Top banner notification
UpdatesCustomize your event microsite by selecting the perfect notification banner to display at the top of the site.
May
Control how your attendees access your event
UpdatesEasily manage visitors sign-in process using our Ticket ID and Visitor sign-in options. Now you have full control over how your attendees access your event.
Set up offline payments independently
UpdatesYou now have the ability to set up offline payments independently, without the need to establish online payments first.
Manage poll and question display for in-person events
UpdatesEfficiently run the presentation of polls and questions on attendee devices during in-person events. When you post or close a poll or question, it will automatically synchronize with the attendees' devices.
Easily display your created forms on separate pages
UpdatesYou have the ability to showcase any custom form you create on its own dedicated page. You can generate a URL for recipients to conveniently access the form on a standalone page.
Apr
Introducing: New and improved email designer
New FeatureWe revamped the UI, updated the email designer, and included tons of customization options so you can highlight your brand, send personalized emails, segment your audience, and more.
Learn moreRevamp your microsite's top banner: dynamic sliders with carousel and more!
New FeatureUse dynamic sliders to enhance the top banner for all pages in your micro-site. With options like a carousel and more, you can create a top banner that captures attention.
Mar
Mark ticket classes as sold out, even with available tickets!
UpdatesYou now have a new option to mark a ticket class as sold out, even if tickets are still available. Take control of your ticketing process and create a sense of urgency for your event!
Stripe now integrated as a supported payment gateway for India
UpdatesStripe, a leading payment gateway, has been added to our suite of supported payment options specifically for businesses in India.
Clear breakdown of tax and net sale amounts
UpdatesYou can now view tax and net sale amounts separately. This enhanced display in the sales summary tab offers a clearer breakdown of your revenue, allowing for better analysis of the impact of taxes on your sales performance.
Feb
Custom forms for streamlined data collection
UpdatesCollect detailed information from event participants your way with customizable forms. Now you can design your very own form, set properties for all the fields on the form as per your need, and place it anywhere on the microsite using custom sections.
Personalize redemption levels for exclusive promo codes
UpdatesCustomize redemption levels for invited guests using exclusive promo codes for ticket purchases. You can set unique redemption details, track individual redemption amounts, and establish maximum limits for each guest. Export the promo code list to download all the redemption information you need.
Expanded page visibility: Now for speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors!
UpdatesWe've expanded page visibility options beyond attendees to include speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors. Now, you can enjoy fine-tuned control over which categories you grant page access to and tailor the experience for different participant groups!
All visitors can now bookmark sessions
UpdatesNow, signed-in visitors can easily bookmark their favorite sessions on the agenda page and keep track of their must-attend events. Previously, this handy feature was exclusively reserved for ticket holders.
Jan
Personalize registration forms for different ticket classes
UpdatesCreate separate ticket registration forms for different ticket classes. Customize the forms by adding custom fields, making them visible exclusively for selected ticket classes.
Send imported attendees a welcome email with their ticket
UpdatesYou can now choose to send imported attendees a welcome email and a PDF ticket straight to their inbox before your event. Set up this feature before importing your attendees into Backstage.
Track attendee session time with Backstage OnAir
UpdatesA new way to get a little insight into attendee engagement! Easily track the time spent by each attendee in a Backstage OnAir session, providing you with essential insights into their level of engagement.
2022
Dec
Automate event reminders for attendees
UpdatesKeep attendees engaged and well-prepared with timely notifications. Schedule reminder emails to notify participants about upcoming activities and important event information.
Introducing: Enhanced event gallery management with bulk download option
New FeatureAll gallery images can now be viewed and organized in the Event Gallery tab within the Content Library in Backstage. Additionally, you can save the entire gallery with the bulk download option for quick and convenient access.
Nov
Ebadge setup made easy
UpdatesSend digital event badges directly to ticket holders via email attachments. With this, you can download, print, or convert ebadges to physical badges with ease.
Oct
Let attendees set their networking preferences
UpdatesSome people like networking at events, some don’t. Now, you can allow attendees to choose if they’d like to be listed in the Attendees directory and get chats and meeting requests from others or not.
Sep
Daily check-in for multi-day events
New FeatureWhen you host a multi-day event, gauging attendee traffic for each day can get tricky. That’s why we added an option to check in (and check out) attendees on each day of the event.
Aug
Accessibility features in Backstage OnAir
New FeatureBackstage OnAir has been updated to include features including a reading guide, big cursor, and display customizations so your virtual event is more accessible for attendees.
Introducing: Onsite expo management
New FeatureYou can now host your in-person trade shows with Zoho Backstage. Upload a floor plan, add booth measurements, and support your exhibitors with tools to collect leads, measure their ROI, and more.
Jul
Image upload field for custom forms
UpdatesNeed photo information from event participants? Collect them by adding the upload file form field when customizing your forms.
Registration forms—tailored to each ticket type
UpdatesNow, you can create custom registration forms for each ticket type. That way, you can get to know your attendees better and personalize their experience without them being bogged down with irrelevant questions when they register for your event.
Jun
Footer customizations for the event website
New FeatureWebsite footers play a huge role in user experience, from nudging them towards their next action to giving them all the important information at one go. You can now add custom text, links to other pages, and even images to your website’s footer.
Virtual networking just got better
UpdatesManage your time at the event more efficiently by mentioning when you’ll be free to meet with other attendees. We’ve also added an option to re-schedule meetings or cancel them altogether if your plans change.
May
New: A common library for your event’s files
New FeatureYou can now add all your logos, images, videos, and files to a common folder in your portal and access them for all your events. Convenient, right?
Email attendees their badges
UpdatesSend attendees a copy of their badge as a PDF attachment so they can review it for accuracy before you print it.
Apr
1:1 meetings: A brand-new way to network at virtual events
New FeatureSerendipitous conversations are the hallmark of in-person events. With our new 1:1 meeting option, this is now possible at virtual events too. Allow your attendees to schedule meetings with other attendees and network easily with like-minded people.
Virtual expos—now at hybrid events
UpdatesOpen up a virtual trade show at your next hybrid event and give your attendees one more reason to come online. Plus, this can be an added benefit for your sponsors.
Mar
New chat options for virtual events
UpdatesAttendees can now connect with each other using one-on-one chat during virtual sessions. Plus, we’ve also introduced a panelists-only chat feature that you can use to manage sessions and share privileged information with your speakers and panelists.
More website customizations, better attendee conversions
UpdatesBorder and color options for your website buttons, alignment options for the Hero section, and size modifications of media elements—these are just a few of updates we made so your event website is all the more attractive to your audience.
Feb
It’s here: The Zoom Meetings integration
IntegrationsYou can now integrate Backstage with (and webcast virtual sessions) using either a Zoom Webinar or a Zoom Meetings account. The latter can help give your virtual event a more casual and interactive feel and works especially well for breakout sessions and networking events.
All-new enhancements to Backstage OnAir
UpdatesWe’ve added a bunch of new customization options to the virtual space—sessions, networking tables, and exhibitor meeting rooms—like adding logos, custom backgrounds, and more.
Iframe audio/video embeds—now available in Backstage OnAir
New FeatureGoing live on a streaming service like YouTube, LinkedIn, or Twitch? Maybe you’d like to use a different media player for your sessions. Embed iframe elements of third-party streaming solutions to Backstage OnAir and webcast those streams to your audience in Backstage OnAir.
Jan
Decide who can buy a ticket to your event
New FeatureWe’ve added another layer of safety to the event registration process. Instead of letting attendees directly purchase a ticket, you now require them to submit requests that you can then reject or approve. Only approved attendees can purchase a ticket. That way, your event is all the more private and secure.
Introducing rehearsals in virtual booths
New FeatureWith the all-new rehearsal mode for booths, you can give your exhibitors a better onboarding experience. Let them explore the virtual meeting tools and familiarize themselves with the platform beforehand so they’re more confident during the event.
2021
Dec
Introducing: Virtual exhibitor management in Zoho Backstage
New FeatureWith Expo OnAir, you get an end-to-end solution that helps you both manage your virtual exhibitors and also provide them with the tools they need to connect with your audience and generate leads.
Learn moreNov
Notify speakers to join OnAir sessions
UpdatesFor virtual events, timing is everything. When hosting your event with Backstage OnAir, you can now send speakers a reminder to join the session. Convenient, right?
Oct
Centralize your attendee database
New FeatureTo help you get a deeper understanding of attendee behavior and trends, we consolidated attendee data across all your events into one dashboard. Now, you can see who the repeat attendees are, where most of your attendees are from, and more in one dashboard.
Add separate primary contacts for each event
UpdatesWhile previously you could only add one primary contact for your entire portal, now you can add individual primary contacts for each event.
Sep
Introducing cookie policies for event websites
New FeatureBuild trust by displaying a cookie banner on your event’s website that explains what cookies you use. While primarily all event websites will use basic cookies to track user preferences, non-functional cookies will also be enabled when you integrate with Zoho SalesIQ to analyze your website’s metrics.
More sections, better website customization
UpdatesWe bring you two more custom sections: Media with text list, to add media along with your lists, and Number counter, an animated section that can be used to show off key stats or business results.
Set specific registration paths for hybrid events
UpdatesHosting a hybrid event? Personalize the event ticketing experience for your audience by creating individual ticket types for your online and onsite attendees.
Aug
All-new privacy settings for events in Zoho Backstage
New FeatureZoho Backstage now allows a range of privacy levels for your events. You can now allow only people with specific domain names to attend your event or block people with some email domains from attending.
Foster attendee connections with networking tables
New FeatureWith networking rooms, you can give your attendees a virtual forum to break the ice and connect with like-minded people. The rooms can be private or public and come with a variety of interaction tools like polls, screen-sharing, and more.
Zoho Backstage is on the Constellation ShortList™
UpdatesWe’re thrilled to have Zoho Backstage on the Constellation ShortList™ in the Event Marketing and Management Software category for a second time this year.
Read moreJul
Go hybrid with Zoho Backstage
New FeatureZoho Backstage now allows event organizers to conduct hybrid events and give their attendees the freedom to attend either online or onsite. Whether streaming at-venue sessions to virtual attendees, connecting online speakers with an onsite audience, or creating networking rooms to connect onsite and online attendees, our hybrid events solution has everything you'll need to create a fantastic attendee experience.
More on hybrid eventsImprovements to the Zoom integration
IntegrationsUpdatesWhen you use Zoom Webinars as the webcasting software for your virtual event, attendees will be able to attend sessions right from Backstage instead of being redirected to the Zoom app.
Introducing conditional sub-fields in custom forms
UpdatesNow, you can use conditional sub-fields for fields like drop-downs, radio buttons, and multiple checkboxes. This makes your forms more user-friendly because your guests will only have to answer the questions that are relevant to them.
Jun
Improvements to our data deletion policy
UpdatesTo focus on delivering the best user experience possible and keep up with data deletion protocols, we’ve decided to delete portals in the Free plan that have been inactive for more than 120 days. We’ll send you three reminders via email before starting the portal deletion process.
Introducing anonymous questions in Backstage OnAir
UpdatesMany times, questions go unasked because people are shy to speak up. With this update, we’ve made it so you can allow your attendees to ask their questions anonymously during sessions.
May
Include more people in session rehearsals
UpdatesPreviously, only team members and speakers could join rehearsal sessions. With this update, you can include twenty more people—sponsors, clients, volunteers—as test participants and allow them to attend your rehearsals.
Adding handouts to sessions—now on Backstage OnAir
New FeatureGuides, videos, presentations, or brochures—use handouts to increase engagement at virtual sessions hosted with Backstage OnAir. Upload them to your sessions and your attendees will be able to download and view them during the session.
Apr
A new and improved mobile app for event organizers
UpdatesWe’ve updated the Zoho Backstage for Organizers app with an improved user interface, a better dashboard, new features, and numerous performance enhancements to improve speed and stability.
Mar
Deeper customization options for your event website
UpdatesWe just made it easier for you to design a website that’s consistent with your brand. You can now set colors, gradients, and overlays for all sections in your event website. There have also been a bunch of updates to the rich text editor like custom line height and letter spacing to name a few.
Feb
Introducing the Zoho WorkDrive integration: File sharing made easy
IntegrationsNew FeatureManaging your sessions' materials just got simpler. Connect with your Zoho WorkDrive account and import your videos and presentations into your content library in Zoho Backstage before assigning them to individual sessions.
Join virtual sessions wherever you are
UpdatesJust like on desktop, attendees can now participate in virtual sessions hosted with Backstage OnAir using our mobile event app, Zoho Backstage for Attendees.
Host rehearsal sessions on Zoho Backstage
New FeatureGive speakers the option to run practice sessions so they are comfortable using Backstage during the event. Also, this is completely secure. Only event organizers and speakers will be able to join rehearsals.
Jan
Backstage OnAir gets a complete makeover
UpdatesOur newest Backstage OnAir updates bring interaction to the forefront, making it even easier to host engaging virtual experiences. Latest features include video conferencing for up to 10 members, emoji reactions, pinning a speaker, session materials, and more.
Scale your events with Zoom + Zoho Backstage
IntegrationsNew FeatureYou asked, we listened. Backstage now integrates with Zoom Webinar. Amplify your event’s reach and broadcast virtual sessions to an audience of up to 10,000.
2020
Dec
Introducing offline payment methods in Zoho Backstage
New FeatureFor attendees who’d like to pay for their tickets the old-fashioned way—you can now provide them with offline payment options like cash, check, and bank transfers. You either issue their tickets at the time of registration or after their payment is confirmed. Convenient, right?
Streamline session management with hosts
New FeatureWith session hosts, event organizers can set hosts and co-hosts for each track (online events) and each hall (onsite events). Only these authorized people will be able to manage sessions, helping you keep team responsibilities clear and avoid confusion during the event.
Nov
Edit text better using the rich text editor
UpdatesApply various styles and formatting to your text with the rich text editor in Backstage. With this tool you can edit most text like the descriptions for an event, speakers, sessions, ticket classes, sponsors, profiles, and more.
Host interactive virtual experiences using Zoho Meeting
IntegrationsTransform your webinars into engaging virtual experiences by integrating Backstage with Zoho Meeting. Present virtual sessions, interact with your audience, and keep them glued to their screens.
Sep
Set page visibility for different attendee segments
UpdatesControl who can view your page by setting up page visibility criteria. For instance, you can set up the visibility of the gallery or discussion channels by enabling them only for people who have purchased tickets from a particular ticket class.
In addition, you can now customize the button shape based on the event website theme.
Create completely exclusive promo codes
UpdatesPromo codes can drive registrations and so can exclusivity. That's why we've created an option for you to create a guest list for a particular promo code. With this option, promo codes will only be visible for the members who've been added to the list.
Aug
Handle event cancellations better
UpdatesCanceling an event is a difficult decision to make as it is. That's why to handle it better, we've automated some of the important things you'd want to do when you cancel your event such as notifying your attendees, updating the microsite, and handling refunds.
Zoho Backstage makes it to Constellation ShortList™
UpdatesConstellation is a technology research and advisory firm based out of silicon valley. Zoho Backstage gets selected for Constellation ShortList™ under Event Marketing and Management Software category.
Jul
Introducing activity logs to track activities in the app
New FeatureWhen you have too many members on your team using the Backstage app from various devices, it's important to be mindful of your data security. That's why we've introduced activity logs to provide more visibility of actions taken by your team members on the platform. Learn more.
Introducing Backstage OnAir to run your online events
New FeatureCreate events that can be hosted virtually with Backstage OnAir and help your attendees stay engaged throughout the event.
Zoho Backstage turns 3!
UpdatesJun
Customize roles and permissions for members in your even
New FeatureEvery event is different, and we believe the member roles will be too. That's why we've given event organizers the ability to decide what roles and permissions their event should have.
Enhanced data privacy and control for your attendees
New FeatureManaging data privacy is important and difficult, especially in the event industry where data comes from a variety of sources. Zoho Backstage understands this and provides you with options to let your attendees manage their privacy by requesting consent from them in order to send them promotional emails, request access to information, and to delete personal data. Learn more.
May
Get all the feedback you want post-session
UpdatesSession ratings alone cannot give you intricate details about how attendees felt about speakers and their sessions. Now you can ask in detail which part of the session your attendees like, how your speakers fared, any new topics you should be covering in the future, and more. Create your own post-session feedback form and customize it with all the questions you want.
Apr
Customize the customer query form and manage responses
UpdatesCustomize the Get in touch form based on the information you need from your customers. Respond to the incoming queries and set their status to keep track of them. Learn more.
Mar
Design your badges using custom fields
UpdatesCustomize your badges by adding fields that are necessary for your event. Choose the fields from the form collected during registration.
Restrict the number of promo code redemptions for ticket orders
UpdatesOrganizers can choose to restrict the promo code either on a per-ticket basis or to a particular number of tickets for an order.
Move your events to an online destination
UpdatesConvert your existing events online and add a virtual meeting/conference link.
Feb
Filter and download attendee list
UpdatesDon't worry about downloading the entire attendee list and sorting them. You can now download attendees who showed up at the event and the ones who did not.
Export sponsor list
UpdatesOrganizers can now download the approved list of sponsors.
Jan
Style your speaker profile
UpdatesChange the layouts and styles for your speaker profile so they look distinct and visible.
BadgeUp your attendees
UpdatesDesign customized badges for your attendees. Choose your favorite design from the template list.
Customize cancellation policies as you need
UpdatesSet the number of days to cancel an order as per your business needs and customize your cancellation policy.
2019
Dec
Customize every section in your website
UpdatesDesign beautiful websites by uploading custom images to each section of your website.
Create invite-only shows with access codes
New FeatureSet up your private show with a ticket class hidden and accessible only to the people with the code.
Nov
Host live chats with your visitors using SalesIQ
IntegrationsCater to your wandering visitors using live chat. Track visitors who come to your website and understand them better with SalesIQ.
Track your affiliate marketing efforts
New FeatureAknowledge the efforts taken by your partners and affiliate marketers in getting registrations through their promotions by including a tracking code in the link they share.
Oct
Get your event apps for mobile devices ready quicker
New FeatureRequest for a customized mobile app and get set in a couple of days.
Customize your registration forms
UpdatesCollect attendee or sponsor information as you need during registration by adding fields that are important to you.
Bring more order to sessions
New FeatureRun sessions in a more organized manner. With this update, your sessions are lined up automatically in the order you set.
Aug
Include offline registrations in your attendee list
UpdatesKeep all your event registrations in one place. Save registrations that happened over a call or in-person on-site. Add them manually to your ticket orders.
Jul
Analyze your website traffic with Zoho PageSense
IntegrationsKnow where your website traffic is coming from. Get insights about the most viewed pages, speakers, and sessions to understand your audience better.
0% commission ticketing opens up for Australia
UpdatesZoho Backstage ticketing with 0% commission on paid tickets opens up for the Australian region.
Set up free registrations across all paid plans
UpdatesConduct events with free tickets in any plan you choose.
Jun
Zoho Backstage ticketing with 0% commission for Canada, India, and 13 other regions
UpdatesZoho Backstage opens up ticketing support for Canada, India, Australia, and other regions such as the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Mexico. Learn more.
Add your Medium and Telegram profiles
UpdatesGive people more options to connect with you. You can now link your Medium and Telegram profile to the event page.
May
Add and approve sponsor requests
UpdatesRaise requests on behalf of the sponsoring organization. Approve or reject sponsorship requests based on the brand relevance and feature them on your website.
Set promo codes for selective ticket types
UpdatesBoost sales of a particular ticket type by enabling promotional offers for them.
Zoho Backstage ticketing with 0% commission for UK
UpdatesZoho Backstage comes up with commission-free ticketing for the UK.
More layouts for your website sections
UpdatesOrganize your content in a row or column, insert images, or set up a carousel slider. Do more to present your content better.
Apr
More pictures, more followers — add your Instagram profile
UpdatesAdd your Instagram profile so your website visitors can follow you. Don't forget to add classy images from your event that you don't want them to miss!
Convert more leads from your event with Zoho CRM integration
IntegrationsUpdatesCreate campaigns in CRM to export attendee data from your event so you can follow up and nurture leads.
Native support for nine languages
UpdatesWant Zoho Backstage to work in a language of your choice? Choose from nine supported source languages, including Japanese, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Vietnamese, Thai, Bahasa, and Tagalog.
Mar
Set a primary contact for every event in your portal
UpdatesChoose a primary contact for every event you create to avoid hassle and confusion.
Map your domain to your events portal
New FeatureMaintain brand consistency by adding all your events to your website domain.
Add Terms and Conditions to your event
UpdatesSet clauses that an attendee should agree to in order to join your event.
Embed the HTML calendar widget
UpdatesEmbed a calendar view of all your events in your websites/webpages.
Standardize promo code across enterprise
UpdatesWant to use standard promo codes across all your events? Reuse codes intented for a specific purpose and boost your ticket sales.
Feb
Reuse and save time by cloning events
New FeatureCreating an event website using Backstage is intuitive and quick. But what's quicker is cloning them to reuse for similar events so you can keep all the event properties and design intact.
Jan
Set up your own integrations with Zoho Flow
IntegrationsUpdatesCreate workflows and set up integrations with any app from Zoho Backstage to receive or push data using Zoho Flow.
List your events in your events brand page.
UpdatesYour events brand page is where your attendees can find other events you're hosting. List your events and keep your attendees coming.
2018
Dec
Zoho Backstage ticketing with 0% commission (introductory offer) - For US.
New FeatureSet up tickets for your event using Zoho Backstage's native ticketing system with zero percent commission charged.
Mobile app for organizers — managing events gets handy
New FeatureKeep track of your event with the Backstage mobile app for event organizers. Put out announcements, check-in attendees, run sessions, and more.
Customize what you share on social media
UpdatesPromote your events better. Get a creative space to customize the images you want to publish on social media to promote your events.
Nov
Approve portal invites
UpdatesLet people "approve" or "deny" an invite to join your organizing team.
Create your own profile
UpdatesEvent organizers and speakers can now be in control of what's being edited and updated in their own profile.
Check-in to engage during sessions
UpdatesOrganizers can now choose who can join the sessions by letting only checked-in members participate in questions and polls. This gives them more control to moderate their session and audience.
Single point of contact for attendees
UpdatesBring more accountability and less confusion for your attendees by choosing a single point of contact from your list of organizers.
Push notifications for instant event updates
New FeatureKeep your attendees updated about changes in schedule, venue, agenda, or anything that's happening during the event.
Oct
Import/export attendee data
UpdatesKnow who's attending your event. Import an already existing list of your attendee data or export it from the Zoho Backstage system.
Automate your email marketing efforts
New FeatureSet up emails to be sent to your registrants or attendees at various points of your event. Use existing templates, edit them, or create one of your own.
Organize your speakers list
UpdatesAttract more eyes to your event by displaying your speakers list based on their order of importance.
Add custom pages to your site
New FeatureAdd FAQs, testimonies, or anything that isn't part of your default template. You can also add custom pages and choose an appropriate URL as needed.
Discuss right from your mobile app
New FeatureGet your event discussions going from wherever you are. Create and participate in public or private channels right from the Zoho Backstage app on your mobile device.
Aug
Set up event registration with multiple Eventbrite accounts
New FeatureGet all your attendees and registration data in one place. You can now integrate Backstage with multiple Eventbrite accounts.
Markdown support lets you get creative with your event site
UpdatesEditing section bodies on your event site allows you to get creative by adding lists, links, images, and more.
Jul
Mobile app for attendees — give your audience a personal event assistant
New FeatureGive your attendees a complete event experience with this mobile app. Let them personalize their agenda, view speakers, click and upload event images, and check-in, all right at their finger tips.
Introducing Zoho Backstage
New FeatureEvent management involves a lot of activities, including setting up the agenda and venue, soliciting speakers and sponsors, letting the attendees know about the event, and more. That is why we are happy to introduce Zoho Backstage, an online event management platform for event organizers, individual planners, and agencies to market, organize, and analyze large-scale meetings, events, and conferences. Learn more.