Hello everyone,

Over the past month, Zoho introduced several exciting new features designed to streamline event management. Along with these updates, we’ve enhanced Zoho Backstage’s performance and resolved various bugs, ensuring a smoother and more efficient experience.

In case you missed them, here’s a roundup of the latest improvements to Zoho Backstage

Zoho announced the release of our API guide for Zoho Backstage! Whether you’re an experienced developer or just getting started, this comprehensive guide will help you integrate with Backstage smoothly and tap into its full capabilities.

Built on REST principles, the Zoho Backstage API offers predictable URLs, making application development straightforward. Our API supports various HTTP clients, providing a flexible way to interact with the platform.

Check out the guide here: Zoho Backstage API Documentation.

2. GST Compliance in India

Zoho Backstage now fully supports the Goods and Services Tax (GST) requirements in India. Customers on the Essential plan or higher can now collect taxes on event tickets in accordance with these regulations.

Here’s how tax applies to different event types:

1. In-person/hybrid events: Tax is determined by the event location.
   

1. Online events: Tax is applied if the attendee is in India. For attendees outside India, no tax is applied (considered an export of services).
   
   
    

To configure:

1. Set your organization’s location and tax rates in the portal settings.
   
2. Manage tax settings from the Registrations tab within your event.
3. A tax preview will display based on event and attendee locations when publishing.
   

Note: GST does not apply to events held outside India. Businesses exceeding the threshold turnover limits are responsible for registering for GST. For further tax guidance, consult your local authorities. The tax invoice feature is currently in early access. Contact support for access.

3. New Payment Methods: Apple Pay and Bancontact

Zoho  added two new payment methods for Stripe: Apple Pay and Bancontact.

1. Apple Pay: This payment option allows participants to make secure payments directly from their Apple devices using Safari. Payments are processed instantly without additional fees. Enable Apple Pay in the Payments section of your event or portal settings.
2. Bancontact: Available for attendees in Belgium, Bancontact supports payments in Euros. This option will automatically appear on the payment page if the organization’s location is Belgium, the currency is Euros, and the attendee is located in Belgium.
   

4. Companion tickets (Early access)  

Introducing the Companion Tickets feature, now available in early access. This option allows attendees to register additional guests—whether friends, family, or colleagues—under a primary ticket.

Event organizers can enable Companion Tickets, allowing secondary tickets to be purchased alongside the primary one. These secondary tickets offer flexibility, with separate registration forms, promo code options, refund availability, and individual check-ins.

Registration approval: When the Companion Tickets feature is used with Registration Approval, both primary and companion tickets are sent for review as part of the same order. This gives organizers greater control over event participation.

Other updates:

• Registration Approval: The Registration Approval tab now tracks pending, approved, rejected, and completed orders. You can export orders based on selected filters.

• Forms: All forms, including Registration, Exhibitor, Sponsor, and Feedback forms, now allow data import for dropdown, single-choice, and multiple-choice fields.

• Gamification: Organizers can set up challenges for Session Check-in and Event Sign-in, boosting engagement through the web and mobile app.

• Badge Customization: Noto Sans JP and Jost fonts are now available for badge designs, providing more options for personalization.

• Batch Editing: You can now move and edit multiple badge elements, such as text fields, logos, and QR codes, at once.

• New Currency Options: AED and SAR currencies are now supported in the Exhibitor and Sponsor modules.

• Personalized Order Approval Emails: The "requesterName" merge tag has been added to Order Approval emails, offering more personalized communication.

We hope these new features make Zoho Backstage an even more powerful tool for your event needs.

For more details visit pfc-group.com.