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Event Customization

Make your event stand out with hero images, content sections, and personalized networking features. This guide covers all the ways you can customize your event's appearance and experience.

Accessing Customization Settings​

  1. Navigate to your event
  2. Go to Event Settings
  3. Use the tabs to customize different aspects:
    • Branding & Hero - Hero section and images
    • Basic Info - Event details and settings
    • Other settings tabs as needed
  4. Make your changes
  5. Click "Save Changes"

Hero Section​

The hero section is the first thing attendees see on your event page. Make it count!

Hero Description​

Main event tagline:

  • Short, compelling description of your event
  • 1-2 sentences work best
  • Appears prominently on the event homepage
  • Required for publishing

Examples:

  • "Join industry leaders for three days of innovation and networking"
  • "Learn cutting-edge web development techniques from expert instructors"
  • "An evening of giving back to our community"

Hero Images​

Upload responsive images for desktop and mobile viewing:

Desktop Image:

  • Recommended size: 1920x600px
  • Wide banner format
  • High-quality photo or graphic
  • Represents your event theme
  • Supported formats: PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF
  • Maximum file size: 10MB

Mobile Image:

  • Recommended size: 800x400px
  • Landscape orientation
  • Optimized for smaller screens
  • Can be same content as desktop, cropped differently
  • Supported formats: PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF
  • Maximum file size: 10MB

Image Upload:

  1. Go to Event Settings → Branding & Hero
  2. Click "Upload Desktop Image" or "Upload Mobile Image"
  3. Select your image file
  4. Image is automatically optimized and uploaded
  5. Preview appears immediately
  6. Click "Save Changes" to apply

Removing Images:

  • Click the "Remove" button next to the image preview
  • Confirm removal
  • Save changes

Image Optimization:

  • Images are automatically converted to WebP format for smaller file sizes
  • Compression reduces file size by 30-70%
  • Quality is preserved while optimizing load times
  • Transparency is maintained for PNG images
Responsive Design

Provide both desktop and mobile images for the best experience. Mobile users will see the mobile image, desktop users see the desktop version. If you only provide one, the other will display as blank space.

Content Sections​

Build out your event page with flexible content sections.

Welcome Section​

Greet your attendees:

  • Custom title (e.g., "Welcome to DevCon 2025")
  • Rich content area for detailed information
  • Appears at the top of your event page

What to include:

  • Event overview
  • What attendees can expect
  • Special instructions or notes
  • Links to resources

Highlights​

Showcase key features of your event:

  • Add multiple highlight cards
  • Each highlight has:
    • Title
    • Description

Examples:

  • "50+ Industry Speakers"
  • "Hands-On Workshops"
  • "Networking Opportunities"
  • "Sponsor Exhibition Hall"

Managing highlights:

  • Add new highlights from Branding settings
  • Edit existing highlights
  • Remove highlights you no longer need
  • Reorder highlights by dragging (if supported)

FAQs​

Answer common questions:

  • Add frequently asked questions
  • Each FAQ has:
    • Question
    • Answer

Example FAQs:

  • "What is the event schedule?"
  • "Is there parking available?"
  • "What should I bring?"
  • "Are meals provided?"
  • "Is the event recorded?"

Managing FAQs:

  • Add new FAQs from Branding settings
  • Edit existing questions/answers
  • Remove outdated FAQs
  • Organize in logical order

Define sponsor levels for your event (covered in detail in the Sponsors Management guide).

Default sponsor tiers:

  • Platinum
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Bronze
  • Community Partner

Customization:

  • Edit tier names
  • Change tier colors
  • Adjust tier order
  • Add custom tiers
  • Remove unused tiers
Sponsors Link Visibility

If you have no sponsors added to your event (or all sponsors are set to inactive), the Sponsors link will automatically be removed from your event's sidebar navigation. It will reappear when you add active sponsors.

Networking Features​

Icebreaker Messages​

Icebreakers help attendees start conversations when sending connection requests.

What are icebreakers?

  • Pre-written conversation starters provided by event organizers
  • Attendees select from these options when sending connection requests
  • Prevents spam and harassment (attendees can't write custom messages to strangers)
  • All connections are tied to your event, giving you visibility into networking
  • Makes networking easier and less awkward
  • Encourages meaningful, event-related connections

Default icebreaker messages: Atria provides 8 default messages like:

  • "Hi! I noticed we're both interested in similar sessions..."
  • "Hello! I saw your profile and would love to discuss technology..."
  • "I'm looking to connect with others in the tech field..."

Customizing icebreakers:

  1. Go to Event Settings → Networking
  2. View existing icebreakers
  3. Edit messages to match your event's tone
  4. Add new custom icebreakers
  5. Remove icebreakers that don't fit
  6. Save changes

Tips for good icebreakers:

  • Keep them friendly and professional
  • Make them specific to your event type
  • Provide variety (different conversation angles)
  • Keep them concise (1-2 sentences)
  • Encourage genuine connection

Examples for different event types:

Tech Conference:

  • "I noticed we're both interested in similar sessions. Would you like to connect?"
  • "I'd love to exchange ideas about technology and innovation with you!"
  • "Your professional background looks interesting. Want to discuss our experiences?"

Fundraising Gala:

  • "I'm passionate about this cause too. Would love to connect!"
  • "Thank you for supporting this important cause. Let's stay in touch!"
  • "I'd like to discuss ways we can continue making an impact together."

Workshop:

  • "Looking forward to learning together. Want to partner up for exercises?"
  • "I'm hoping to apply these skills in my work. How about you?"
  • "Great to meet fellow learners. Want to stay connected after the workshop?"

Best Practices​

Hero Section​

  • Visual Quality - Use high-resolution images that look sharp on all devices
  • File Sizes - Images are auto-compressed, but starting smaller helps load times
  • Mobile-First - Always provide both desktop and mobile images
  • Compelling Copy - Make your hero description clear and engaging
  • First Impressions - The hero section is what attendees see first - make it count

Content​

  • Clarity - Use simple, clear language
  • Brevity - Keep descriptions concise and scannable
  • Value - Focus on what attendees will gain from your event
  • Updates - Keep content current as event details change
  • Accuracy - Double-check dates, times, and venue information

FAQs​

  • Anticipate questions - Think about what attendees will wonder
  • Common concerns - Address logistics, accessibility, costs
  • Clear answers - Be specific and helpful
  • Keep updated - Add new FAQs as questions come up
  • Organize logically - Group related questions together

Icebreakers​

  • Variety - Provide different conversation starters
  • Event-specific - Tailor messages to your event's purpose
  • Tone - Match your event's formality level
  • Test them - Use icebreakers yourself to ensure they work
  • Gather feedback - Ask attendees which icebreakers they liked

Common Customization Workflows​

Brand-New Event​

  1. Write hero description
  2. Add desktop and mobile hero images
  3. Create welcome section
  4. Add 3-5 highlights
  5. Add 5-10 FAQs
  6. Customize icebreaker messages
  7. Set up sponsor tiers (if applicable)
  8. Preview your event page

Refreshing an Existing Event​

  1. Update hero description if theme changed
  2. Replace hero images with current year's graphics
  3. Update welcome section content
  4. Review and update highlights
  5. Add new FAQs, remove outdated ones
  6. Refresh icebreakers if needed
  7. Update sponsor tiers if sponsorship changed

Quick Setup​

Just need the essentials?

  1. Write hero description
  2. Upload one hero image (desktop or mobile)
  3. Add 2-3 highlights
  4. Add 3-5 essential FAQs
  5. Done!

Image Guidelines​

Image TypeRecommended SizeAspect Ratio
Hero Desktop1920x600px3.2:1 (wide banner)
Hero Mobile800x400px2:1

File Formats​

Best formats:

  • PNG - Best for logos with transparency
  • JPG - Good for photos without transparency
  • WebP - Modern format, smaller files (auto-converted)

Avoid:

  • BMP - Large file sizes
  • TIFF - Not web-optimized

Optimization Tips​

  • Use online tools to compress images before uploading
  • Remove metadata/EXIF data
  • Crop to exact sizes when possible
  • Use appropriate resolution (72-96 DPI for web)

Frequently Asked Questions​

Can I change customization after publishing?​

Yes! Update hero section, content, and icebreakers at any time. Changes are visible immediately to attendees.

Do I need both desktop and mobile hero images?​

It's highly recommended. If you only provide one, the other will display as blank space on that device type. For the best experience on all devices, provide both optimized images.

What happens to old images when I upload new ones?​

Old images are replaced. The previous file remains in storage but is no longer referenced by your event.

Can I preview my changes before saving?​

Not currently. Save your changes and view your event page to see the results. You can always edit again if needed.

Will custom branding (colors, logos) be available in the future?​

Custom branding features are planned for a future release! For now, focus on creating compelling hero images and content sections to make your event stand out.

How do I remove a highlight or FAQ?​

In the Branding settings, find the highlight or FAQ you want to remove and click the delete/remove button next to it.

Can attendees add their own icebreakers?​

No. Icebreakers are set by event organizers only. Attendees choose from the provided options or write their own custom message when connecting.

Are there character limits for content sections?​

  • Hero description: No strict limit, but keep it brief (1-2 sentences recommended)
  • Highlights: Title ~50 characters, Description ~200 characters
  • FAQs: Question ~100 characters, Answer ~500 characters
  • Icebreakers: ~150 characters

Next Steps​

With your event customized:

Need help? Contact us or open an issue.