Creating an Event
At its simplest, event creation establishes the foundation for everything on Seaty: What's happening, where, and when can people buy tickets?
Who uses this: Organisers with event creation permissions within their organisation.
Key capabilities:
- Create new events from scratch or copy existing ones
- Set up venue details and event dates
- Choose between seated and general admission ticketing
- Configure on-sale dates for controlled ticket releases
- Generate AI-powered event descriptions
How Event Creation Works
At a glance: Create an event foundation in the wizard, then complete the setup in the Event Editor.
Creating and launching an event on Seaty follows a clear four-phase journey:
1. Gather Your Information
Before you start, know what you're creating. Have ready: event name, venue details, performance dates, and ticketing approach (seated or general admission).
2. Create the Foundation
Use the Event Creation Wizard to establish the basics: identity, location, timing, and description. This creates your live event page with essential information.
This guide focuses on Phase 2: creating the foundation.
3. Build the Experience
Use the Event Editor to complete your setup: add pricing, upload images, design seating plans, create discount codes, and configure advanced features.
4. Launch and Sell
Share your event URL and start taking bookings. Your event is live and ready for customers.
Two-Phase Approach:
- Phase 1: Event Creation Wizard (you are here) - Quick setup with essentials only
- Phase 2: Event Editor (next step) - Complete setup with pricing, images, and advanced features
Before you begin:
- You must have a Seaty account -
- You must belong to an organisation - Create an organisation
Video Tutorials
Prefer to watch a quick walkthrough? These videos show the complete wizard journey from start to finish:
Creating a Seated Event
Watch how to set up a quick and simple Seaty event as a new user with a seating plan and seated tickets:
Creating a General Admission Event
Watch how to set up a quick and simple Seaty event as a new user with general admission tickets:
Accessing the Wizard
- Sign in to Seaty
- Navigate to your organisation
- Click "Create Event" in the top menu
- The Event Creation Wizard opens
Step 1: Choose How to Create Your Event
The wizard starts by asking how you'd like to begin:
Option 1: Make a New Event
Create a completely new event from scratch.
Best for:
- Your first event
- Events that are unique or different from previous events
- Starting with a blank canvas
Option 2: Copy Organisation Event
Duplicate a previous event from your organisation and modify it.
Best for:
- Repeat productions or annual events
- Saving time with pre-configured settings
- Similar events to ones you've run before
What gets copied:
- Venue details and seating plan
- Event type and settings
- Description template
What doesn't get copied:
- Event name and tag (you'll set these fresh)
- Dates and times
- Actual bookings or orders
Option 3: Search and Copy Other Seaty Event
Search all events across Seaty and copy one as a starting point.
Best for:
- Finding events at the same venue
- Getting inspired by similar productions
- Using templates from other organisations you manage
How it works: Search by venue name, event name, or organisation name to find events across Seaty.
Step 2: Enter Basic Details
After choosing your creation method, you'll enter the core event information.
Event Name
What is the name of your event?
This is how your event appears across Seaty - on the event page, in search results, and on tickets.
Requirements:
- At least 3 characters
Tips:
- Keep it clear and descriptive
- Include production/show/class name
- Optionally include season or year
Examples:
- "Romeo and Juliet"
- "Spring Photography Workshop"
- "Annual Charity Gala 2025"
Event Tag
What unique event tag would you like?
Your event tag creates your custom Seaty URL:
Seaty.co.uk/your-event-tag
Requirements:
- Must be unique across all of Seaty
- 3-22 characters
- Only letters, numbers, and hyphens allowed (no spaces or special characters)
- Lowercase recommended
Examples:
romeo-julietspring-photo-workshopcharity-gala-2025
Important: You cannot change the event tag after creation, so choose carefully! Why? Your event tag becomes your permanent URL and is used in marketing materials and bookings.
Think of it this way:
- The Event Name is what customers see everywhere
- The Event Tag is how they find you (permanent URL - cannot be changed)
- Together, these create your event's identity across Seaty
Step 3: Event Type
What type of event is this?
Select the category that best describes your event from the dropdown:
- Theatre / Performance
- Workshop / Class
- Sports
- Festival
- Conference / Meeting
- Fundraiser
- Community Event
- Other
This helps with categorisation and makes your event easier to find.
Step 4: Venue Information
Where is this event to be held?
Venue Name
Enter the full venue name:
Requirements:
- At least 3 characters
Examples:
- "The Grand Theatre - Main Auditorium"
- "St Mary's Community Hall"
- "Online via Zoom"
Venue Address
For in-person events, enter the complete address:
- Street Address - Full street address including building number (at least 3 characters)
- Town or City - Location name (at least 3 characters)
- Postcode - Full UK postcode (at least 3 characters)
Example:
123 High Street
Manchester
M1 1AA
For virtual events: Enter "Online" as the venue name and you can add joining instructions in the event description.
Step 5: Tour Selection (Optional)
Is this event part of a tour?
If your organisation has tours set up, you'll see a dropdown to optionally link this event to a tour.
What's a tour? A tour groups related events together - perfect for productions visiting multiple venues, workshop series, or festival programmes.
Options:
- Select a tour - Link this event to an existing tour
- No, do not use a tour - This is a standalone event
Step 6: Event Dates
When is your event?
Adding Dates
- Click in the date field and select the event date
- Click in the time field and set the start time
- Click "Add another date" if you have multiple performances
- Click "Remove" to delete the last date
The wizard requires at least one date.
Multiple Dates
For events with several performances:
- Add each date individually
- The wizard automatically suggests the next day if you've already added one valid date
- Set different times for matinees vs evening shows
Example - Theatre Production:
- Friday 14 March 2025 at 19:30
- Saturday 15 March 2025 at 14:00
- Saturday 15 March 2025 at 19:30
- Sunday 16 March 2025 at 14:00
Note: All dates must be in the future.
Step 7: Ticketing Type
How will your tickets be sold?
This option only appears if you're creating a new event (not copying an existing one).
Seating Plan
Attendees select specific seats from an interactive seating chart.
Best for:
- Theatres with fixed seating
- Venues with numbered seats
- Events where seat location matters
What you'll do in the Event Editor:
- Design the seating plan layout
- Create seat categories (Stalls, Circle, Balcony, etc.)
- Set pricing per category
General Admission
Tickets have no specific seat assignment - attendees purchase a quantity of tickets.
Best for:
- Standing events
- Flexible seating arrangements
- Classes and workshops
- Events with open seating
What you'll do in the Event Editor:
- Create ticket categories (Adult, Child, Concession, etc.)
- Set capacity limits
- Configure pricing
Note: If you're copying an event, the ticketing type is inherited from the source event.
Step 8: Event Description
How would you describe this event?
Write or paste a description of your event. This appears on your event page and helps attendees understand what to expect.
Requirements:
- At least 3 characters
What to include:
- What the event is about
- What attendees can expect
- Who it's suitable for
- Running time or duration
- Any special requirements or information
Rich Text Formatting: The editor supports:
- Headings (H1, H2)
- Bold, italic, underline, strikethrough
- Bullet and numbered lists
AI Description Generator
Click "Generate with Seaty AI" to automatically generate a description based on:
- Your event name and type
- Venue information
- Dates you've entered
Limitation: The AI generator is limited to 5 uses per event creation session. Why? This ensures fair usage across all users while you refine your description.
Step 9: On-Sale Date
When do you want tickets to go on sale?
Set the date and time when booking opens to the public.
- Select the date from the date picker
- Set the time using the time picker
- The wizard shows a preview: "Event live from [date] at [time]"
Strategic timing:
- Set a future date for pre-announcement periods
- Open sales immediately by selecting today's date
- You can change this later in the Event Editor
Best practice: Choose a future date and time to coordinate with your marketing campaign and control when ticket sales begin.
Step 10: Save Your Event
Once all required fields are complete, click:
"Save & create new event"
or if copying:
"Save & copy event"
The wizard will save your event and show a confirmation screen.
Note: The save button remains disabled until all required fields are filled with valid information. This ensures your event has all essential details before going live.
Step 11: Confirmation Screen
Your event is now successfully created and saved.
The confirmation screen shows:
- Organisation name
- Tour (if selected)
- Event name
- Event tag and URL (Seaty.co.uk/your-tag)
- Ticket type
- All event dates
What Exists After the Wizard:
Included: Live event page at seaty.co.uk/your-tag, event dates and venue information published, basic description visible to customers
Not yet configured: Ticket pricing, seating plans, promotional images
Next: Use the Event Editor to complete your event setup
What Happens Next?
The confirmation message provides guidance on next steps for completing your event setup in the full Event Editor.
Two Options
Option 1: Open Event Editor
Access the full Event Editor to:
- Design seating plans
- Upload promotional images
- Set up ticket pricing
- Create discount codes
- Configure advanced features
Option 2: Go to Your Event
View your public event page at Seaty.co.uk/your-tag
What's Next? The Event Editor
Your event is now live with basic information, but you'll want to use the Event Editor to create the complete ticketing experience.
Why Use the Event Editor?
The wizard created your event foundation. The Event Editor adds:
- Visual Appeal - Upload poster images, customise themes, add venue maps
- Ticketing Setup - Design seating plans, create ticket categories, set pricing
- Marketing Tools - SEO settings, discount codes, social sharing
- Advanced Features - Custom questions, merchandise, personnel groups, file management
What to Configure First
Most organisers follow this workflow:
- Upload Event Images - Add your poster and promotional photos
- Set Up Ticketing - Create seating plans or ticket categories with pricing
- Customise Theme - Match your organisation's branding
- Add Marketing Tools - Set up SEO and social sharing
- Test a Booking - Complete a test purchase to verify everything works
- Go Live - Share your event URL and start selling tickets
Event Editor Documentation
The Event Editor has 17 specialised sections for complete event control:
This guide covers all Event Editor sections including:
- Event Details, Dates & Times, Venue Setup
- Event Images, Theme Customisation, Venue Maps
- Ticket Setup, Seating Plans, Seated/General Tickets
- Merchandise, Discount Codes, Marketing Tools
- Custom Questions, Member Settings, Personnel Groups, File Management
Common Questions
Editing After Creation
Can I edit my event after creation?
Yes! Everything except the event tag can be changed through the Event Editor. The event tag is permanent because it's your URL.
Can I add more dates later?
Yes. Use the Event Editor to add or remove dates at any time.
Ticketing and Setup
What if I choose the wrong ticketing type?
You can change between seated and general admission in the Event Editor's Ticket Setup section.
Do I have to fill in everything now?
No - the wizard only requires the essentials. You can configure everything else in the Event Editor when you're ready.
Copying Events
Can I copy this event for next year?
Yes! When creating a future event, choose "Copy organisation event" and select this event. This saves time by reusing venue details, settings, and descriptions.
Tips for Success
Choose a Clear Event Tag
Your event tag becomes your URL and can't be changed. Make it:
- Short and memorable
- Easy to say verbally
- Related to your event name
Add Multiple Dates Early
If you know you have multiple performances, add them all during wizard setup rather than adding them one-by-one later.
Use the AI Description Generator
Let AI create a starting point for your description, then personalise it with specific details about your event.
Set a Strategic On-Sale Date
Consider when you want to start selling:
- Announce the event first, then open sales later
- Open immediately if you're ready to sell
- Coordinate with social media campaigns
Related Information
- Creating an Organisation - Set up your organisation profile with contact information, branding, and payment settings for your events
- Creating a Tour - Organise touring productions, workshop series, or festivals with linked events across multiple venues and dates
- Editing your Event - Configure advanced features after creation
Need Help?
If you encounter any issues during event creation:
Email support:
- Address: support@seaty.co.uk
- Include: Your organisation name, what you were trying to do, and any error messages
Self-service:
- Check our Organiser FAQ
Ready to create your event?
Sign in to Seaty and start the Event Creation Wizard!