Event Suite – Frequently Asked Questions Index

This document contains the official procedures and guidelines for the Event Suite platform.

What are the statuses of my event and what do they mean?

Once you complete the form to create an event on the platform, your event status will change to one of the following:


Can I modify the brief after submitting it?

Yes, as long as the status is "In Progress". Please notify the Project Manager of any adjustments so they can make the necessary changes to materials and quotes. Keep in mind that you won't be able to change the event name after the initial email has been sent, and that adding new information or changing dates may affect delivery times or budgets. If you want to change your event date, check the shared calendar first to ensure that no event with the same theme is already scheduled for the new date.


Where can I see if there are any events overlapping with mine?

You can view team schedules via the Calendar link in the top navigation bar.  This shared calendar includes all events currently in production, along with their specific dates and practice area. You can also use filters to determine the best time for your event. Dates reserved for events not yet in production are highlighted in gray.


What do the colors mean in the calendar events?

The calendar uses colors to represent the geographic region of the event:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Which templates are available for my events?

The templates  available on the platform for your events are:


What types of events can I select on the platform?

The platform offers three types of events based on audience type:

Audience: Executives
Format: In person
Description: Exclusive dinners or lunches, leveraging an intimate setting to foster strategic collaboration. These events provide a sophisticated experience focused on uncovering critical market insights

Audience: Decision makers
Format: In person
Description: Held at budget-friendly yet professional venues that maintain a "Googly" spirit. The focus is on deep-dive sessions and strategic networking, ensuring attendees gain valuable, actionable insights.

Audience: Practitioners
Format: Online or in person
Description: These sessions are designed for hands-on learning. By leveraging the digital realm or focused in-person environments, they provide engaging, technical training for practitioners.


What assets can I access on the platform?

The platform provides a comprehensive suite of assets to promote your event:


How will I receive the final materials for my event?

All materials are delivered directly through the Event Suite platform. Keep an eye for the notification sent by the Event Suite platform that you will receive every time there is something new for you to review. 


What are the steps to follow to obtain the application materials?

First step: We'll send you a document with all the copies of the invitation assets for approval.  You will be able to leave comments directly in the docs before final assets are ready. Make sure you leave all your comments in one go to avoid delays.

Second step: Once the materials are approved, we'll create the  HTMLs and final creatives.

Third step: we'll share Smartrix templates for invitations with the emails already populated. We recommend testing them to ensure the emails are sent correctly.

Forth Step: some emails will be automated and sent out directly to those who registered for the event: 

 


When should I start sending out invitations?

In person: 4 weeks prior*

Online: 3 weeks prior

*Note:
Early notice for in-person events is crucial for guests who must arrange travel, transportation, and lodging.


What is the expected attendance rate for my event?

When planning your capacity and catering, keep in mind that not all registrants will attend. On average, we see a 30 -40% no-show rate across the platform. For example, if 60 people registered for your event, around 36 - 42 may attend. We recommend taking this number into account when sending out your invitations and inviting more people than you originally planned.


Where can I see the options for venues, swags, and experiences?

Access our resource deck to see a pre-selection of venues, swags, and experiences categorized by country, including approximate prices.


Can I request a venue or swag that isn't listed?

Yes. Please note that we'll need an extra 15 to 20 days to provide you with a quote.


How will I receive updates on my event?

All communications will be centralized within the platform. To ensure your project stays on track, the platform will send notifications to your email address so you don’t miss any messages. To maintain your scheduled dates and current quotes, we ask for a response within 48 business hours. Timely feedback helps us prevent delivery delays.


Can I ask for advice if I'm unsure what kind of event I want to hold?

Absolutely! We are happy to help you brainstorm. You can contact our team to guide you through the creative process via:

Chat: Message us directly through the platform’s chat feature.

Email: Reach out to eventsuiteadmin@the-8agency.com.

Meeting: Schedule a consultation through our Office hours.


Can I contact the support team if I have questions about my created event, even if it's not live yet?

Yes, you can use the chat feature within your event to ask questions at any time. You can also email eventsuiteadmin@the-8agency.com


Who is authorized to request a new event on the platform?

The GTM team and Marketing have full access to create and request marketing support for new events. FSRs, Sales Specialists, PDMs, and CEs can view resources and the calendar, but they must connect with a GTM practice or growth lead to request a new event to ensure governance and avoid overlaps.


I’m a Partner (PDM); can I create an event directly in the Event Suite?

No, Partners cannot access the Event Suite Platform directly as it is an internal tool. However, PDMs can connect with the GTM team to align on event prioritization and request their support to organize an event.


How can I check if there is an event overlap for my proposed date?

Navigate to the Calendar link in the top navigation bar. This shared calendar includes all events currently in production, along with their specific dates and practice area. Review existing entries to proactively identify overlaps and select the best possible dates.


What do the different colors on the calendar represent?

The calendar uses colors to represent the geographic region of the event: Yellow: MCO, Green: Brazil, Blue: Mexico, Red: Cross-Latam. Gray dates represent reserved time slots for events not yet in production.


Can you filter the calendar to show only specific events?

Yes. The calendar features intuitive filters such as Event Practice (e.g., Data Cloud), Region (e.g., Brazil), Modality, Industry, Segment, and Lead By. These allow users to drill down into the data and optimize event strategies.


What are the mandatory steps to request a new event on the platform?

1. Complete the mandatory Event Suite Form. 2. Acknowledge the Pre-Form & Planning Commitment (SLA). 3. Create and upload the official mandatory Event Brief. Production will only begin once these inputs are reviewed.


How much lead time is required to create an event?

The platform defaults to a minimum 6-week lead time from the date of creation. This ensures enough time for quoting, asset creation, and a minimum 4-week invitation window. Any date sooner must be pre-approved by the assigned PM.


What happens during the Agency Consultation phase?

Once you submit the form, the agency reviews your brief and contacts you within 48 business hours. You will receive two mandatory invites: one to review your briefing and another to review final quotations and vendor proposals.


How do I duplicate the official briefing template to start my request?

Go to the Resources > Briefing section. Click the link to the official template, create a personal copy in your Google Drive (do not work on the original), fill in your event details, and grant edit access to the Project Manager.


Where can I find the catalog for swag, venues, and experiences?

Navigate to the Resources > Catalog section. There you can browse a deck featuring a curated selection of options categorized by country and price range. Note that all values provided are estimates based on availability.


What are the three types of events I can host on the platform?

1. Visionaries Exchange: For Executives ( dinners/lunches). 2. Solution Series: For Decision Makers (budget-friendly venues). 3. Expert Session: For Practitioners (technical training, online or in-person).


Are there pre-approved templates for Security or Infrastructure practices?

Yes. The platform offers communication kits with pre-defined visual identities for several practices including AI, AI + Gemini Enterprise, Data Cloud, Infrastructure, Security, and Google Workspace/AWT.


Can I request a venue that is not listed in the official resource deck?

Yes. However, please note that the agency will require an additional 15 to 20 days to source and provide you with a custom quote for unlisted venues or swag items.


What does it mean if my event status is In Progress?

This means your brief is complete and we have contacted vendors to begin event production. We will contact you via the platform chat to discuss progress, budgets, and specific proposals.


How do I track the development progress of my promotional materials?

Navigate to the GTM Events section and click on your event. You will see an overview of specific deliverable statuses: Pending (reviewing inputs), In Quote (pricing), In Review (sent for your feedback), Approved (ready for production), and Finalizado (complete).


How will I receive the final HTML files and creatives for my invitations?

All final materials are delivered directly through the Event Suite platform. You will receive a notification every time something new is ready for you to review or download in the event details.


What is the requirement regarding Purchase Orders (PO) for production?

You must share a PO number prior to confirming venue booking or starting swag production. Failure to provide a PO impacts your timeline as the agency cannot commit to vendors without it.


What is the required response time for feedback to avoid delays?

The team expects a 48 business hours turnaround time for your responses. Delays in feedback or approvals can negatively impact your event timeline, quotes, and final costs.


How do I send invitations using Smartrix?

The platform provides Smartrix templates with pre-populated HTML codes for your invitations. You only need to upload your contact list to the Smartrix sheet and send. We recommend sending a test email first.


Which emails are sent automatically by the platform once a guest registers?

The platform automatically generates RSVP-triggered status emails (Pending, Approved, Rejected) based on your guest management. It also automatically sends Reminder emails one week and one day before the event.


What is the most effective way to reduce no-show rates?

You must manually send a calendar holder immediately after approving a guest. This is a proven best practice that ensures the event is visible in the guest’s personal schedule and significantly increases attendance.


What is the expected no-show rate I should plan for?

On average, there is a 30-40% no-show rate across the platform. For example, if 60 people register, plan for approximately 36-42 to attend. We recommend inviting more people than your originally planned capacity.


Are Thank You and No-Show follow-up emails sent automatically?

No. While the platform provides the templates in Smartrix, the GTM team is responsible for manually triggering the send-out after the event once the final attendee list is categorized into participants and no-shows.


How do I upload my final attendee list to Vector?

Share the link to your official attendee sheet and grant edit access to the specific user provided by the the8a team. They will then handle the official lead upload into Vector for you.