We have great news to report today. We have secured a solid offer to purchase EventWax. The purchaser is an established event planning business who’s management is very knowledgeable about running the very types of events that are hosted on EventWax.

We're sorry to inform you that EventWax will be discontinuing all services effective at the end of business on August 31st, 2015. Please use the next 7 weeks to transition your event registration services to another provider. If you need recommendations of other event registration service providers, contact [email protected].

You have created an EventWax account. Now, you are ready to create your event.

A link verifying your new account is sent to your email. Once you click on the link, you may immediately create your event.

Here's how it works:

  Event Name: Enter the title of your event in the Event Name field.

Description: Enter the details of your event in the Description window. Here, you can opt to use the place holder text provided, or you can delete the place holder text and provide your own write-up.

Event logo: Here you can upload or drag and drop your event logo.

Time zone: You must select the right time zone for your event from the drop down menu. Next, select the date(s) and start and end time of your event from the corresponding calendars.

Venue: Here you can input the venue and its address. Be specific!

Capacity: Type in how many total spots are available at your event.

Is your event free? If yes, continue on to Tickets. If you are charging money for your tickets, select "No, my event is not free."

Tickets: Select currency type from drop down menu.

Besides giving your ticket a name and price (if it isn't free), you can manage the period in which your ticket can be purchased by selecting a beginning sales date and ending sales date. For instance, an early bird ticket will have an end date well before the actual event is held. Define that here. 

Also, you can limit the amount of each ticket type sold per booking in the Tickets allowed per sale fields.

In the next field, a Promo code may be created to hide this ticket type from users unless they unlock it with the special code that you define here.

Additional ticket types can be created by clicking on Add new ticket type. Here you can create different tickets for the same event. For example, you can create an early bird ticket at a discounted or premium rate.

Now, save your event as a draft or make it live immediately! Once you select Make it live, you can monitor your ticket sales from the My dashboard page.

If this is your first time using an event planning website or if you just need a refresher in the process, follow our basic framework to get started planning your next event.

Sign up for a free EventWax account. Getting started is easy and you can create your free account here. The website will guide you through the process.

Next, create your event for free. This is where you give your event a name, date, time, place and description. At this point, you also can specify if your event is free or if you are going to sell tickets for your event.

Spread the word. Once your event has been created, let all your potential attendees know by sending email invitations, make announcements on social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter etc...

Manage your registration. Once you begin selling tickets or registering attendees, you can monitor your event sales and activity on EventWax's MyDashboard page. Here you can view Recent Activity on all your events, tally registered attendees, and watch your event reach capacity.

Monitor your attendees. From the Events tab, select your event and click on Attendees. Here, you can view the ticket types sold and print out a list of confirmation codes for event check-in.

Monitor Bookings. From the Bookings tab, you can view how many tickets have been purchased and payment status.

Event Check-In. At the event's check-in booth, you can compare attendees' printed or emailed tickets with your printed attendee list, verifying the unique confirmation codes.

One of the most mentioned technology trends for event planning in 2014, in addition to online event registration, is the continued use of mobile guide apps for your attendees.

The biggest benefit by going paperless is saving time and money and giving attendees control through their smartphones and tablets. In most instances, the online mobile event apps are not designed to create a singular, unique app for your event. Rather, app providers warehouse a vast number of events on a master list and require attendees to first download the app and then search for the event they are attending.

The price point for the use of a mobile event app varies from free and up, depending on the number of features needed for your event.

Some of the features offered include conference schedules, exhibitor lists, maps, speaker profiles, conference floor maps, social media integration, and organizer messaging and attendee feedback.

Sorting through your events has never been cleaner and easier with our new “My Dashboard” page. The new page is divided into three distinct sections – “Upcoming Events,” "Past Events,” and “Recent Activity.”

In the “Upcoming Event” section, displayed is a list of all the events that have not occurred yet.

When you click on your event(s) you now will automatically have the option to “View, Edit, Duplicate or Delete” that event. It’s easy to duplicate an event--an annual conference or quarterly class, for instance--if it occurs on a regular basis.

And, the “Recent Activity” section provides organizers with an at-a-glance snapshot of any registration activity that has taken place with any of your events.

Take a look:

Event organizers now have the option for printable tickets for their attendees.

The printable ticket, which is attached to the attendee's confirmation email, displays all the pertinent event information including name of event, unique confirmation code, ticket price, date and time, venue, attendee name, ticket type, event organizer contact information and the link to the registration site.

Also, along the bottom of the printable ticket we've included duplicate ticket information such as confirmation code, ticket price, etc. so that it can be separated from the main ticket and distributed to another party, if needed. This is a useful feature for music concerts, where both the facilities owner and music promoter will want a copy of the ticket.

When you are creating a new event, EventWax automatically defaults the ticket format so attendees receive both an emailed ticket along with a downloadable ticket that can be printed.

 To find this option for your event:

From the “Your Dashboard” page, click on the specific event

Click: “Edit Event”

Click: “Ticket Setup”

Scroll down to: “Ticket Format” box

You will see the option for “Email and Printable” or “Email Only.”

Restaurants and bars getting ready for Super Bowl 48, consider these Game Day tips to make your party a winner:

Promote. Promote. Promote.  Get the word out about your Super Bowl Party. Advertise it on your webpage, social media and in local publications. Post table-top signage and fliers around your bar. Consider a banner sign for the exterior.  

Proper big screens. Most likely your bar already has television screens, but consider purchasing or renting additional screens for the big day. Consult with a local electronics rental company and be sure to plan for delivery and installation.

Show some spirit. Nothing brings on a festive atmosphere like team colors.  If your establishment is local to one of the two teams, decorate with team colors. If you're located elsewhere, split your bar down the middle with team colors on either side, or go with a neutral theme of football.

Scrutinize your floor plan. Look at all your seating and make sure every seat in the house is the best seat for viewing the game. Rearrange furniture and tables where needed. Add extra bar stools, stackable chairs and folding tables to accommodate more guests.

Game Day menu. This is one more way to get your customers excited about the Super Bowl and excited to be in your establishment. Tie in names of the teams, offer cultural favorites from the teams' hometowns along with traditional football fare. Whip up special cocktails for the event. Make sure your specials are easy to understand, priced well, and simple. Check in with vendors about having chips and popcorn on hand.    

Your own half-time show. Consider your own half-time entertainment like a live band, contests, large video game rentals etc...

New Year's Eve is rapidly approaching and event planners with soirees in the works should consider these last minute planning tips.

Mind the lines  -- Everyone expects a big crowd on New Year's Eve. Event planners should too. Make sure your event is properly staffed. That means plenty of people to check in guests; enough bartenders and bar backs; enough employees on hand to keep the bathrooms stocked and clean; and enough staff to man the coat check at peak times.

Extra cash -- It is a good idea to build a cushion in your event budget. Inevitably, there's always something you'll run out of or forget the week or day of the party.

Delegate -- Rely on your trusted team to help you get it all done.

Have a Plan B -- Planning for the unthinkable can make your New Year's event fail-proof. Have back up entertainment in the unlikely event that your live entertainment cancels at the last minute. Have another alternative that could be summoned on a couple hours notice.

Event planners' jobs have been made easier since the onset of online registration and ticket sales. However, the task of keeping events on or under budget is ongoing.

At EventWax, we get it. We're an online event registration company with a lean event management tool. We purposefully keep our pricing low by providing only the most important features so budget-concious event planners can put the money saved back into their event or back in their attendees' pockets.

Simply put, our service is free when your events are free.

When you charge for your event, we charge a 2% fee per ticket with a minimum charge of $1 (USD) and a maximum charge capped at $5 (USD) per ticket. (Check other currencies.)

Compare EventWax pricing to the competition to see how you can save money organizing events. Some event sites charge a higher percentage of the ticket value plus a per ticket fee. EventWax services are available for one low fee that is capped at $5 per ticket. This means event planners or attendees will never have to pay more than $5 per ticket for a convenience charge.   

Here's how you can save using EventWax's self-service online event registration. 

Ticket prices EventWax fees $10 $1 $50 $1 $100 $2 $350 $5 $500 $5

The more tickets sold, the more fees add up quickly and become a significant percentage of the event or attendee cost. EventWax's commitment to its customers is to provide a functional tool at a fraction of the cost.  

Autumn Letchworth Park Gennesee River Gorge, by Julie A. Wenskoski

If you have the flexibility to plan an impromptu event, consider holding it amongst one of nature's most brilliant spectacles -- autumn.

An offsite venue might be just the thing to rejuvenate your attendees just as signs of fall are making a premature entrance this year, especially in the mid-Atlantic region where colors are forecasted to be particularly vibrant, according to Accuweather.com

Forecasters attribute the swift emergence to a cool and dry August in areas such as Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. Foliage trackers are predicting the upper northeast to see colors change in early October while most of the Midwest can expect peak colors by mid-October. The Pacific Northwest and the Southeast can expect the most vibrant colors by late October or early November.

Local and state parks are inexpensive and ideal settings for gathering in a fall foliage environment. If your group is small, you can plan an impromptu visit. If you have a large group, you may have to plan for parking and reserving a shelter with tables.

If the idea sounds intriguing, consider this top-five list of U.S. state parks that boast fabulous fall colors.

Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama. With 9,900 acres of green valleys, colors are most prominent from October to November.

Camden Hills State Park, Maine. The land varies from rocky shores to high cliffs. From atop Maiden Cliff, are miles of amazing views. Peak colors from mid-September to mid-October.

Ridgeway State Park, Colorado. Though the West is not a typical setting for foliage viewing, Ridgeway offers a diverse appreciation  for changing colors with bold golds and blondes. Best viewed mid-September.

Monadnock State Park, New Hampshire. The top of Mount Monadnock boasts 100-mile views of fall foliage from six surrounding New England states -- the capitals of fall foliage.

Adirondack State Park, New York. Here you will find the most stunning fall foliage display of the United Sates. Peak colors are typically the last two weeks in September.

For more information about the states parks listed click here. 

Summertime is a great time for outdoor events. Outdoor catering arrangements largely depend on your venue, type of event, and the time of year.

Consider these quick tips for catering your fabulous outdoor event.

Your menu. Before you choose your menu, consider the weather conditions you are likely to encounter. Food dishes that are on the light side or served cold may be preferable over something hot and heavy.

Your food. Food that requires plates and flatware will require extra cost and seating. Finger foods make it easier for guest to eat while socializing.

Watch for spoilage. Make sure your caterer keeps the food at the right temperature. Hot dishes need to stay hot while cold salads need to stay chilled.

The venue. When choosing an outdoor site, pick one that will be comfortable for your guests. If the site does not include a shelter, consider renting a tent in case of rain or for shade purposes. Consider if the site has restrooms available or if you'll have to bring in portable toilets.

Entertainment. Check with your catering company or a separate amusement rental company for entertainment options including a DJ, outdoor inflatables, games etc...

Costs. Opting for the outdoors for your event can cost less than renting indoors, however, be mindful of other expenses that can drive up the total cost of your event. For example, consider the cost of event insurance, or additional costs for set-up  and clean up.

Trying to think of everything when planning an outdoor event can be overwhelming. Here are tips that shouldn't be overlooked.

Crucial coordination. Keep in mind that if you are not using an outdoor facility, that you will be bringing everything in and then hauling everything out.

Sanitation. Review with your vendor exactly what will be needed for your size event. Sub-par and too few restroom facilities can quickly lead to a discontented crowd. Also, plan for the days prior and after the event for your set-up and take-down crews.

Power. Be sure to arrange for back up generators for your generators in case of failures.

Communication. Be sure two-way radios are powerful enough for the area of your event. Also bring backup batteries, lots.

Lighting. If your event takes place at night or moves into the evening, be sure to not only light the event, but also the walkways, restroom areas, exit and entrance paths and parking areas.

Pests. Consider whether you will need to spray the area for pests. When scheduling the spraying, determine whether it would conflict with other aspects of your set-up, such as setting up tables and linens.

Heat. Plan for drinking and cooling stations throughout your venue.

Safety. At the very minimum, have first-aid kits on hand or designate a first-aid station.

Weather. Monitor weather far in advance and consider purchasing weather insurance. Wind can be hazardous. Make sure things are anchored accordingly.

Summertime is a great opportunity to consider outdoor venues for your next event. Planning for the great outdoors, however, can be twice as difficult as planning an indoor event. And sometimes more expensive.

When in the early planning stages for your ideal outdoor event, consider these preliminary tips:

First, decide on the date and location. Outdoor venues can book up as early as a year or more in advance.

Obtain a permit. Omitting this step could shut down your event at the most untimely moment.

Consider logistics of the site. It's best to determine the the site's accessibility ahead of time. If your venue is a remote location, will it require long-distance load-in of equipment and crew?

Conduct a pre-event onsite meeting. Gather all your suppliers and meet at the site to brainstorm and collect different perspectives about the location. This step will determine how the event will be laid out and where attendees will park.

Review municipal and state ordinances. Look at noise restrictions, fire safety codes, or any local ordinances that would regulate outdoor events. Some ordinances may regulate festival seating or overselling tickets.

Silent auctions are an entertaining way to raise money for your cause and gives attendees opportunities to participate.

Here are some helpful tips to get your started:

Start the minimum bid at half the perceived value. If the item is a gift card with a $100 value, start at $50 so you at least get the $50 and attendees think it's a bargain.

Check eBay for pricing ideas, paying attention to the ending prices of auctions.

Start the bidding low to encourage participation.

If you spent any money on an item, make sure you start the bidding at $10 more than what you spent.

For big ticket items such as hotel stays, spa certificates and travel packages, start the bidding at 30 percent of the value.

Be careful not to start your bidding so high that people won't participate. The more people involved in the bidding, more energy it brings to your event and the more money it brings to your cause.

Determine fair market value of the item. If the item was donated by an artist, ask how the artist would price it. If the item is a service, determine the cost of that service.

Let attendees know on the bid sheet that bids should be made in whole dollars to avoid penny bids.

EventWax tip: Use online registration to organize your fund-raiser's silent auction. It's an easy way to sell tickets for your event and track your attendees. You also can email your attendees an auction item list prior to the event.