CellarPass Platform Updated | 11/29/22

We completed a significant update to our platform today that includes some new and improved features that we want to make you aware of.

ADMIN PANEL
We completed some enhancements to the overall design of the admin panel that you should be aware of:

1. We are continuing our security theme of requiring all Users of the system should have their own login. No one should be sharing login credentials.
   
   This is to enforce PCI standards and to ensure that emails being sent to emails entered into the system are valid and deliverable. In cases where an admin's email address needs to be entered, for example who gets notified of new reservations, will need to be first created as a CellarPass user, then they can be added to these types of fields.
   
   
2. We have included a link to the "Communications Manager" in the main navigation so that it's easier to find and making communicating with potential ticket holders and current ticket holders.
   
   
3. We are continuing to redesign our Dashboard view, providing you more relevant information related to number of guests viewing your profile, booking reservations and buying tickets. This is a page we will continue to improve over the next few months.
   
   

RESERVATIONS
There are several changes and improvements related to reservations.

CONFIRMATION TEMPLATES
We are in the transition period of making significant modifications to the Confirmation and Cancellation templates that we would like to make you aware of. These changes are to allow CellarPass to follow industry standards and best practices that will help improve delivery rates while doing our best to avoiding spam folders triggered by content. 

1. Confirmation and the Cancellation templates will be centralized with a new master design. Two new fields have been added at an event level; [[ConfirmationMessage]] and [[CancellationMessage]]. These are found in the Event's "details" tab.
   
   
2. The new [[ConfirmationMessage]] content block is designed to be your place to communicate messages that are specific to the event and will be included in the new Confirmation template. The [CancellationMessage]] can be also customized at an event level and will be included in the new Cancellation template.
   
   
3. We have launched a new "Alerts & Notifications" page that will continue to be updated over the next few days as we migrate data. We will migrate this data over for you, so do not panic if your email notification fields are blank as this system is currently not being used, but will be in late December. You can continue to modify templates and determine who is notified here.
   
   
4. We are no longer requiring an email address to be populated on RSVP templates' Admin Notification field, allowing you to not be alerted of new reservations or modifications, though we do not recommend this practice unless you are using Guest Link Pro or TablePro.

After logging in and the system finds no current or active reservation events, we will show you a warning so that you are aware of this issue.

TICKETING

1. We continue to improve on the Ticketing Payout report. You will find today's update includes a major overhaul to the payout report's design and the data available to you. This will make reconciling much easier.
   
   
2. We've included additional "More Actions" menu options throughout the ticketing editor features, allowing you to jump around the system much faster.
   
   
3. We love to see so many events selling out- this is terrific news!. With so many combinations on how events can be determined as sold out, we have completely overhauled our code as to when the "Sold Out" banner is shown on your event banner and when it's listed among other events. We have also overhauled when the "Wait List" button is shown so that people understand that despite an event being sold out, if you enable the wait list feature, it's clear that they can be added to your event's wait list easily.
   
   
4. We have overhauled how Will Call Locations are managed and the interface that manages it within ticketed events.
   
   

CONTENT
We continue on the theme of redesigning our website and finding more ways to keep our guests engaged. 

1. NEW! Business Page Photo Gallery
   Today's release continues on our theme of redesigning our business pages. In this release, we have completely overhauled the photo gallery feature. This is no longer shown at the bottom of the page, but is now accessible by clicking "Show All Photos" button in your banner image. This change allows our pages to load much faster, improving our SER.
   
   We strongly recommend that you upload at least 10 images of your property or business space and update these on a seasonal basis. Images of labels or products are not recommended as they do not resonate with our guests.
   
   
2. NEW! Introducing "Things to Do"
   We have partnered with a major search engine on their Things to Do campaign that kicks off in early 2023 and will be sharing that with you over the coming weeks as we finish up the project. We are revamping many sections of our website to become aligned with their strategies.
   
   
3. Hiding Maps & Addresses
   For businesses that do not have a physical address such as a tour or activities company, we no longer show your address or the map on your business page.
   
   
4. Follow Feature
   We have completely overhauled our Follow feature as one of our strategies to keep our guests engaged. When they "follow" your profile, they are automatically following all of your public events. When you publish a public event, all of your "followers" will receive an email, alerting them to view your event and purchase tickets.