Vanco Events makes it easy managing your socially distanced event, we have brand new functionality that allows you to set rules that will automatically block seats on either side of bookings on reserved seating plans. You'll also have the ability to block out entire rows manually.
This functionality works in conjunction with our reserved seating plans. We suggest you set up your seating plan first, then set up your social distancing rules.
This article will take you through:
- How to set automatic rules to block seats on either side of bookings
- How to block entire rows or individual seats
- How blocked seats work for ticket buyers
- How to make blocked seats available for booking
- Voiding or moving bookings when there are blocked seats
- Increasing or decreasing the number of blocked seats between bookings once tickets have been purchased
How to set automatic rules to block seats on either side of bookings
Setting up automatic rules to block seats on either side of bookings is perfect if you want to ensure that parties who don't know each other, don't sit next to one another. When a ticket buyer makes a booking, you have the option to block out 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 seats on either side of their booking. This will be automatically done by the system, so you are able to set and forget.
To set up this rule:
- Click on Dashboard in the left menu, and select the event you wish to apply these rules to
- In the left menu underneath Allocation, select Seat/Space
- If you want to apply this rule to all session times on the event, leave Session Time set to Master. Should you wish to apply the rule to a specific session time only, select the session time from the Session Time drop-down field
- Click Edit Seating Plan
- In the Block Seat Either Side Of Bookings field, select the number of seats you wish to be blocked out either side of each booking eg. to automatically block 1 seat either side of bookings, set the number next to block seats either side of bookings to 1
- Click Save
Note: this rule will also apply to seats you mark as reserved, so that there are enough seats available when a reserved seat is purchased. Please ensure that you reserve and press save seats for each party, rather than reserving seats in one go. This will ensure that seats are blocked between each party.
How to block out entire rows or individual seats
If you wish to block out alternating rows, so ticket buyers cannot sit directly in front or behind other parties, we suggest blocking out entire rows. Using the same method, you can also block individual seats.
To block out entire rows or individual seats so they cannot be purchased:
- Click on Dashboard in the left menu, and select the event you wish to apply these rules to
- In the left menu underneath Allocation, select Seat/Space
- If you want this setting to apply to all session times on the event, leave Session Time set to Master. Should you wish to apply the rule to a specific session time only, select the session time from the Session Time drop-down field
- Click Edit Seating Plan
- From the Mark Seat As drop-down, select Blocked
- Click on each of the seat/s you wish to block. A blocked seat will appear like this
on your seating plan - Click Save
How blocked seats appear and work for ticket buyers
Blocked seats on either side of bookings
When a ticket buyer selects the seats they wish to book, once they click Next, the seats on either side of their booking are automatically are marked as blocked. This means that other ticket buyers cannot purchase these seats.
For example, on the event below we have set the rule to block 1 seat on either side of bookings. Alternate rows have also been blocked
Ticket buyer 1 selects their seats and clicks Next
Ticket buyer 2 cannot purchase the seats on either side of ticket buyer 1. The seating plan clearly shows which seats have been booked, which have been blocked, and which are available to purchase.
Blocked rows / blocked individual seats
When individual seats or rows have blocked from being purchased, the ticket buyer will not be able to select these seats and they'll be marked as blocked.
How to make blocked seats available for booking
If you've accidentally made a seat blocked and wish to mark it as available, or a ticket buyer wants to add additional tickets to their order. You can change the status of a blocked seat to make it available for booking once more.
To do this:
- Click on Dashboard in the left menu, and select the event you wish to apply these rules to
- In the left menu underneath Allocation, select Seat/Space
- If you want to make this change to all session times on the event, leave Session Time set to Master. Should you wish to apply the rule to a specific session time only, select the session time from the Session Time drop-down field.
- Click Edit Seating Plan
- From the Mark Seat As drop-down, select Seat Available
- Click on each Blocked seat you wish to make available
- Click Save
Voiding or moving bookings when there are blocked seats
If you have set up rules to block seats between bookings and void a person's booking. As well as the seats that were void, the seats on either side of the booking that were blocked will now become available for purchase. To learn more about voiding bookings, click here.
Likewise, if you move a booking to another location. The blocked seats in the previous location will be made available and the seats either side of the new location will become blocked. To learn more about moving bookings, click here.
Increasing or decreasing the number of blocked seats on either side bookings once tickets have been purchased
If you increase or decrease the number of seats that are automatically blocked on either side of bookings once tickets have been purchased, the system will automatically update the seats that have already been blocked. For example, you increase the number of seats that should be blocked, some previously available seats will become blocked.