--- title: VCEDC Events Form & Workflow Finalization type: article created: '2026-04-05' updated: '2026-04-05' source_docs: - raw/2026-01-12-vcedc-events-connect-113553178.md tags: - vcedc - wordpress - gravity-forms - kit - event-registration - workflow layer: 2 client_source: Vilas County Economic Development industry_context: nonprofit transferable: false --- # VCEDC Events Form & Workflow Finalization ## Overview Working session to finalize the VCEDC Events Connect registration flow based on client (Kathy) feedback after launch. Several UX issues were identified and resolved live on the call, and a repeatable workflow was established for Tracey to manage future events independently. **Attendees:** Isahaque Mahmud, Tracey Pilsner (client-side), Isalia Ramirez, Melissa Cusumano --- ## Key Decisions ### 1. Replace Inline Success Message with Dedicated Thank You Page **Problem:** After form submission, the page appeared to "pop back up" — the inline success message displayed on the same event page, which confused the client. In reality the page never navigated away; it simply scrolled to the success message. **Decision:** Create a standard WordPress page (`/thank-you` or equivalent) and configure the Gravity Form to redirect there on submission. **Rationale:** A dedicated page provides a clear, unambiguous confirmation step and matches the client's mental model of a post-submission experience. **Thank You page copy (client-provided):** > "Thank you for registering. We look forward to having you attend our event. Should you have any questions, or if we can ever be of service, please feel free to contact [Kathy's email — make clickable]." ### 2. Remove "Add to Calendar" Feature Entirely **Problem:** The client initially wanted the Add to Calendar button moved from the event page to the Thank You page. However, the calendar widget is a plugin that pulls event data from the originating event page — it cannot function on a separate Thank You page. **Decision:** Remove the Add to Calendar button from all locations (event page and Thank You page). Also remove the "Subscribe to Calendar" link from the main Events & Programs page. **Rationale:** This was a new feature the client had never had before. Given the technical constraint and its non-essential nature, removal was the cleanest path. Tracey will communicate this to Kathy. ### 3. Update Form Button Text to "Register Now" **Problem:** The default Gravity Forms submit button read "Subscribe," which felt misleading in a registration context. **Decision:** Change button text to **"Register Now"**. This was completed live during the call. ### 4. Fix Event List Snippets on Events & Programs Page **Problem:** The event listing on the main Events & Programs page displayed truncated descriptions that cut off mid-sentence — for example, listing only the first panelist and omitting the rest. **Decision:** Ishaque to update the snippet logic to display only the **first sentence** of the event description, consistent with how other content types are handled on the site. --- ## Repeatable Workflow for Future Events Tracey will own this process for each new event going forward. **Two Gravity Forms exist — understand the distinction:** - **"Event Form"** — lives on the bottom of the main Events & Programs page; used for general newsletter/event subscription. This form stays static. - **"Event Registration Form"** — used on individual event pages. This is the one to duplicate per event. **Steps for each new event:** 1. **Duplicate the form** — In Gravity Forms, duplicate the existing "Event Registration Form." 2. **Create a Kit tag** — In Kit, create a new tag for the specific event (e.g., `2026 events [event-name]`). 3. **Assign the tag to the form** — In the duplicated Gravity Form, go to **Settings → Kit Add-Ons** and assign the new tag. 4. **Update the shortcode on the event page** — The form shortcode contains a form ID. Either paste the new shortcode or simply update the ID number within the existing shortcode on the event page. > **Note:** If multiple events run simultaneously, each requires its own duplicated form with its own Kit tag. The Thank You page is generic and does not need to change between events. **Why per-event forms?** Each form maps to a unique Kit tag, enabling proper audience segmentation so registrants can be targeted by the specific event they signed up for. --- ## Action Items | Owner | Task | Status | |---|---|---| | Ishaque | Finalize Thank You page copy; make contact email a clickable `mailto:` link | Completed during call (copy added; link TBC) | | Ishaque | Fix event list snippets on Events & Programs page to show first sentence only | Open | | Ishaque | Remove Add to Calendar button from event page | Completed during call | | Ishaque | Remove "Subscribe to Calendar" from Events & Programs page | Completed during call | | Tracey | Update Kit autoresponder email copy and sender address | Open (Tracey's responsibility) | | Tracey | Notify Kathy that form flow has been updated | Open | | Tracey | Use the new workflow (above) for all future events | Ongoing | --- ## Technical Notes - The Thank You page is a **standard WordPress page** — not a Kit-generated page. The Gravity Form redirect points to this page URL. - The Add to Calendar widget is a **plugin that requires event context data** from the originating event page. It cannot be embedded on a standalone page. This is a hard technical constraint, not a configuration issue. - The autoresponder email (Kit) is separate from the Thank You page redirect. Both exist: the redirect is immediate on-screen confirmation; the autoresponder is the follow-up email. Tracey manages the autoresponder copy in Kit directly. - Gravity Forms shortcodes use a numeric form ID: `[gravityforms id="X"]`. Updating the ID is sufficient to swap which form is embedded on a page. --- ## Related - [[clients/current/vcedc/_index]]