- 01 Feb 2023
- 3 minutes to read
Wait-listed events
- Updated on 01 Feb 2023
- 3 minutes to read
Wait-lists for events without a date and time
When a seminar event is created without a Date/Time it will automatically become a wait-listed event, where learners can sign up to a wait-list rather than book onto the event. When a learner joins the wait-list they will be prompted to fill out the sign-up form as usual, including any pre-populated Custom fields.
Should the seminar event have a date added, the learner will be automatically added to the event, will receive an email notification and calendar invite, and their sign-up details will be listed against their Attendance. Where a learner has a manager assigned (and the Manager copy of the notification is enabled), the manager will also be sent a confirmation message. Where approval is required the relevant manager will be requested to approve/reject their team member's booking.
Additionally, if there is a scheduling conflict (i.e. one or more learner is already booked onto another seminar event on that date) then an error message will appear. It will allow you to either exclude those with a conflict in order to proceed, or change the dates.
Learners can remove their place on the wait-list using the Cancel waitlist link on the event page.
Wait-lists for sessions with a date and time
When the wait-list has been enabled within the seminar event settings, learners (and managers on their behalf) can sign up to an event even when the session is at maximum capacity. Learners will automatically be moved from the wait-list to the Booked attendee list should another attendee cancel from the session.
The learner will receive a confirmation message that their attendance has been confirmed and where the user has a manager assigned (and manager copy is enabled) - the manager will also be sent an advice note with confirmation that a member of their team has booked into a session. Where approval is required they will be requested to approve/reject their team member's booking.
Managing the wait-list
Administrators and trainers can manage individuals on the wait-list via the Attendees link alongside the corresponding wait-listed event. There are three bulk actions available against any or all learners which have been selected/checked:
- Confirm: Book the selected users into the event and remove them from the wait-list.
- Cancel: Cancel the selected users' requests and remove them from the wait-list.
- Play lottery: Fill the available places on the events with a random selection of the users from the wait-list. Users who are not selected will be left on the wait-list.
The learner's sign up note (if entered), including any Custom fields can be viewed via the eye icon and, if needed, learner responses within the sign-up note can be edited. Please see Creating custom fields for more information.
When a seminar event has wait-listing enabled and attendees are added by an administrator or trainer, the number of users that may be booked on the event can only be within the event's capacity. Any additional learners will remain on the wait-list.
Administrators or users with the mod/facetoface:signupwaitlist capability will be able to confirm and book wait-listed users from the Wait-list tab or Attendees page, where an event allows overbooking.
The Totara Academy has a whole course dedicated to Seminar Management in Totara Learn. Here you can learn more about how to use seminars, see best practice, and give it a go yourself.