If you're setting up a new event that's similar to something you've done before, copying an existing event is the way to go. Your ticket types, attendee fields, content, and other settings come right along with it — you just update what's different.
This is especially useful for recurring events like monthly dinners, seasonal camps, or annual conferences. Set it up once, and you have a solid starting point every time you need to run it again.
How to Copy an Event
There are two ways to do it:
Option 1 — From your Event List
- Go to your Organization Dashboard and open your Event List.
- Your events are organized into three views:
- Active Events – Current published and private events
- Inactive Events – Unpublished and past events
- Draft Events – Events created but not yet published
- Find the event you want to copy and click the copy icon.
Option 2 — From the Event Page
While viewing an event page, click the copy icon next to the event title. You need to be signed in as an administrator to do this.
Setting Up Your Copied Event
Update the Main Details
You'll be prompted to update the core details of the new event — name, date, time, location, and other general information.
Choose What to Carry Over
Below the main details, you'll see a list of optional items from the original event. Check the boxes for anything you want to bring into the new event:
- Existing Custom Reports
- Existing Check-In Sessions
- Existing Groups Configuration
- Existing Report Subscriptions
- Existing Access Codes
- Existing Communities Functionality
- Existing Scheduled Emails
- Existing Promotion Codes
- Existing Saved Print Jobs
You don't have to select everything — just what's relevant to the new event.
Click Create
Once you're happy with your selections, click Create and Brushfire will generate the new event.
Review and Update
Go through each Edit Tab and update anything specific to the new event — ticket descriptions, visibility dates, attendee fields, content, and so on. Click Save at the bottom of each page as you go.
Preview and Promote
When you're done, click View to preview the event page. Copy the URL to start promoting, or assign a URL Key to group it with related events. See the URL Key guide for more on that.
Limitations to Know
- Copying carries over settings, not registrations. The new event starts fresh with no attendees or orders from the original.
- Scheduled emails need their dates reviewed. If you bring over scheduled emails, make sure to update the send dates to match your new event timeline before publishing.
- Access Codes will carry the same codes from the original. If you need unique codes for the new event, update or regenerate them after copying.
- Administrator access is required to copy from the event page view.
- Review all Edit Tabs after copying. Visibility dates, ticket availability windows, and content are all specific to the original event and will need updating.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I copy a past event to use as a starting point for a new one?
Yes. Past events show up under the Inactive Events view in your Event List. Find it, click the copy icon, and go from there.
- Will copying an event also copy my attendee data?
No. You get the configuration — ticket types, fields, content, and any optional items you select. No attendee or order data from the original comes over.
- Do I have to copy all the optional items?
No, each one has its own checkbox. Just select what makes sense for the new event.
- Can I use this to set up a series of recurring events?
Yes, and that's probably the most common reason to use it. Get one event set up the way you want, copy it as many times as you need, and update the date and details for each one.
- What's a URL Key and do I need one?
A URL Key lets you group multiple events under a shared URL, which is useful for promoting a series of related events together. It's optional but worth using for recurring or multi-date events. See the URL Key guide for more.
The easiest way to set up events in Brushfire, is to use an existing event as a basis for new events.
After copying an existing event or after creating a new event you want to replicate, you can use the Event's Edit Tabs to customize your event before creating multiple copies of the same event.
This process often requires time and attention, but once you've set up your event, you can easily make copies, especially if you need to create recurring events.