If you organize events, such as conferences, workshops, community gatherings or recurring meetups, you know the chaos of RSVPs by email, tickets on one platform, updates in a group chat and check-in on a clipboard. An event management app puts all of that in one place that you control.
Core features you need
Event listings
A clean calendar of upcoming events. Each listing shows date and time (with time zone), venue and map link, description, speakers or performers, the full price and a clear Register button. Let people filter by event type if you run more than one kind.
Registration and ticketing
Keep registration short: if the user is signed in, one tap should be enough. For paid events, take payment through a PCI DSS compliant processor (see the PCI Security Standards Council) and send an instant confirmation with an add-to-calendar link. Show ticket tiers (early bird, general, VIP) and remaining availability honestly.
US pricing rule: the FTC's Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees requires businesses selling live-event tickets to show the total price, including mandatory fees, up front. Build your ticket screens so the first price a buyer sees is the all-in price.
QR code check-in
Give every registrant a QR code in the app. Staff scan it at the door with a phone: instant check-in, no paper lists, and live attendance numbers for you.
Push notifications
- Day before: time, venue and what to bring.
- Morning of: parking or entrance details.
- During the event: "Next session starts in 15 minutes in Room B".
- Afterwards: slides, photos and a short feedback survey.
Attendee communication
Venue change, time update or weather cancellation: send one notification to everyone registered for that event. If you also email attendees for marketing, follow the FTC's CAN-SPAM compliance guide (clear sender, working unsubscribe).
App store payment rules
Tickets for real-world events are services consumed outside the app, so Apple's App Store Review Guidelines allow you to use a normal payment processor instead of in-app purchase for them. Digital content sold inside the app, such as paid session recordings, follows the in-app purchase rules. Google Play has similar payments policy rules. Plan which items are which before you build.
Accessibility
Events serve everyone. Follow the Department of Justice guidance on web accessibility: readable font sizes, sufficient color contrast, labeled buttons and screen-reader friendly forms. Add an "accessibility needs" field to registration so you can plan seating, captions or step-free access.
Building it step by step
With 2CreateApps, a typical build looks like this:
- Branding and structure: logo, colors, event listing template and your first events.
- Registration and payments: ticket tiers, all-in prices, confirmation messages and QR codes.
- Notifications: reminder schedule and post-event content section.
- Testing: register and check in on an iPhone and an Android phone, train door staff, then submit to the stores.
Revenue beyond tickets
- Sponsor placements: sponsor pages and logos in the schedule.
- Exhibitor listings: profile pages for trade-show exhibitors.
- Premium content: recordings and slides for attendees or as a paid add-on (mind the in-app purchase rules above).
- Merchandise pre-orders for pickup at the event.
For recurring events
For weekly classes, clubs or monthly meetups, the app becomes the community hub: past event photos, member profiles and discussion threads keep people engaged between events and replace a patchwork of social groups, forms and payment apps.
Measuring success
- Registration-to-attendance rate: if many registrants don't show up, add reminders or a small deposit.
- Time to sell out: faster sell-outs mean word of mouth is working.
- Repeat attendance: the share of attendees who come back to the next event.
- Post-event engagement: views of slides, photos and recordings.
Ready to start? Build your event app at apps.2createapps.com, or read our guide to event management software for nonprofits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell event tickets in my app without Apple's in-app purchase?
Yes. Apple's App Store Review Guidelines let apps use other payment methods for goods and services consumed outside the app, such as tickets to real-world events. Digital content used inside the app follows the in-app purchase rules.
Do I have to show ticket fees up front in the US?
Yes. The FTC's Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees requires live-event ticket sellers to show the total price, including mandatory fees, up front.
How does QR code check-in work?
Each registrant gets a unique QR code in the app. Door staff scan it with a phone, which marks the person as checked in and updates attendance numbers in real time.
How long does it take to build an event app without code?
A simple event app with listings, registration, QR check-in and notifications can be built and tested in about a week, plus app store review time.
