Registering someone for an event for free

Last updated August 5, 2026

Objective

Manually registering guests for an event allows association administrators to bypass registration fees and grant complimentary access to speakers, VIPs, board members, or staff.

Step-by-Step Guide: Manually Registering a Guest for Free

Step 1: Locate the Event

  1. From the top navigation menu, go to Engage and select Events.

  2. Browse or search for your event and click directly on its Event Name to open the management portal.

Step 2: Access the Guest List

  1. In the top navigation bar of the event dashboard, select View Guests.

  2. This displays all current registered attendees (including standard paid registrants).

Step 3: Add & Transfer Contacts

  1. Click the Add Guest button in the upper right-hand corner.

  2. Search for the individual's contact name (e.g., Lexi) in the contact directory.

  3. Select their name and click the Arrow (-->) button to move them into the Selected Contacts list.

  4. Click Save to confirm. The contact is now added to the event without triggering an automated payment requirement.

Additional Guest Management Actions

Once a guest is added to the guest list, you can perform several direct management tasks:

  • Manual RSVP: Update or confirm their attendance status directly.

  • Download Badge: Click Download Badge to generate and print their official event name badge.

  • Create Invoice: (Optional) Issue an invoice after the fact if custom billing is needed.

  • Remove Guest: Delete the registration entry if their plans change.

Cautionary Notes

  • Bypassing Payment Tiers: Manually adding a guest via Add Guest bypasses standard checkout ticket limits and payment collection. Ensure you only use this feature for complimentary or pre-approved registrations.

  • Contact Prerequisites: The individual must exist in your Recur Contacts directory before you can add them to an event guest list.