zFairs
What is zFairs?
zFairs is a comprehensive event management platform specializing in organizing and managing various competitions and fairs, including science fairs, history day contests, invention conventions, film festivals, and music competitions. It offers tools for online registration, ticket and merchandise sales, communication, judging, tracking, and entry and exhibit approval, catering to both in-person and virtual events.
What Does the zFairs Integration Do?
The integration between zFairs and ProjectBoard connects two powerful platforms, simplifying event management and showcasing for STEM events. It allows zFairs to handle participant registration and event administration, while ProjectBoard focuses on providing a visually engaging and interactive virtual showcase for projects. Here’s what the integration offers:
- Seamless Data Transfer: Participant and project information flows effortlessly from zFairs to ProjectBoard, minimizing duplicate efforts for admins.
- Enhanced Showcase Experience: ProjectBoard creates an engaging digital space where participants can present their projects and connect with a broader audience.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Participants and administrators can use their zFairs credentials to log in to ProjectBoard, streamlining access.
Steps to Set Up the Integration
- Enable the Integration:
- Ensure the zFairs admin has enabled the ProjectBoard integration for your event.
- Once enabled, a ProjectBoard showcase and admin accounts are automatically created.
- Contact zFairs support if the integration option is not visible.
- Prepare Your Project Template:
- In ProjectBoard, configure your showcase settings including design and branding, timeline, resources, categories, and sponsors.
- Select/create a project template to include all required sections for participant projects.
- Launch Your Showcase:
- When ready, launch your showcase in ProjectBoard.
- Only after this status change will participant and project data transfer from zFairs to ProjectBoard begin.
- Review Data in ProjectBoard:
- Log in to ProjectBoard as an admin to verify participant and project data.
- Manage participants and project submissions as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What data is synced between zFairs and ProjectBoards?
A: Once the integration is enabled in zFairs, your event name and admin accounts are synced to a newly created ProjectBoard showcase. When your ProjectBoard showcase is launched, participant date (name and email address) as well as their project information (title and description) are synced to ProjectBoard.
Q: Is the integration a two-way sync between zFairs and ProjectBoard?
A: Data is only synced one-way with this integration, from zFairs to ProjectBoard, allowing greater flexibility to meet your unique event needs. Changes made to a student's project on ProjectBoard will not be synced back to zFairs.
Q: How long does it take for participant data to appear in ProjectBoard?
A: Data is synced every hour. It may take up to 3–4 hours for all information to appear after launching your showcase in ProjectBoard.
Q: What happens if participants are already registered on ProjectBoard?
A: The system checks for existing accounts. If an email matches an existing ProjectBoard account, the zFairs event is added to their profile.
Q: Can I manually push participant data?
A: No, the integration is automated and dependent on the hourly sync. Ensure your showcase in ProjectBoard has been launched for data transfer to begin.
Q: What notifications will participants receive?
A: Notifications about ProjectBoard account creation are customized to avoid conflicts with zFairs login credentials. Participants will not receive direct invites unless explicitly sent by the admin.
Tips for Event Organizers
- Preview Showcase Settings: Double-check the project template and showcase settings in ProjectBoard before launching.
- Monitor Participant Limits: Ensure participant numbers in zFairs align with the ProjectBoard showcase plan (e.g., free events may have participant caps).