> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/devcarlosperez/EcoEvents/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Create your first sustainable event in minutes with EcoEvents

## Get started with EcoEvents

This guide will walk you through setting up your EcoEvents account and creating your first sustainable event. You'll learn how to configure sustainability settings, invite attendees, and view your environmental impact metrics.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your account">
    Sign up for EcoEvents and complete your organization profile.

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Web App">
        1. Visit the EcoEvents signup page
        2. Enter your organization details:
           * **Organization name**: Your company or organization
           * **Email**: Your work email address
           * **Password**: At least 8 characters with one number
        3. Click **Create Account**
        4. Verify your email address by clicking the link sent to your inbox

        <Tip>Use your organization's domain email for easier team member invitations later.</Tip>
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="API">
        You can also create an account programmatically using our REST API:

        ```bash theme={null}
        curl -X POST https://api.ecoevents.com/v1/auth/signup \
          -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
          -d '{
            "organizationName": "Green Corp",
            "email": "events@greencorp.com",
            "password": "secure_password123"
          }'
        ```

        The API will return your authentication token and organization ID:

        ```json theme={null}
        {
          "token": "eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9...",
          "organizationId": "org_2Xh9KQp4mN8",
          "email": "events@greencorp.com"
        }
        ```
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>

    After verification, you'll be redirected to your dashboard where you can start creating events.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create your first event">
    Set up a new event with sustainability goals and environmental tracking.

    ### Navigate to Event Creation

    From your dashboard, click **Create Event** in the top right corner, or navigate to the Events tab and click **+ New Event**.

    ### Configure Event Details

    Fill out the basic information about your event:

    <ParamField path="name" type="string" required>
      The name of your event (e.g., "Annual Tech Summit 2026")
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField path="date" type="date" required>
      Event start date and time
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField path="location" type="string" required>
      Venue address or "Virtual" for online events
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField path="expectedAttendees" type="number" required>
      Estimated number of participants (used for carbon calculations)
    </ParamField>

    <CodeGroup>
      ```javascript React Example theme={null}
      import { useState } from 'react';

      function CreateEvent() {
        const [event, setEvent] = useState({
          name: '',
          date: '',
          location: '',
          expectedAttendees: 0,
          sustainabilityGoals: []
        });
        
        const handleSubmit = async (e) => {
          e.preventDefault();
          const response = await fetch('/api/events', {
            method: 'POST',
            headers: {
              'Content-Type': 'application/json',
              'Authorization': `Bearer ${token}`
            },
            body: JSON.stringify(event)
          });
          
          const newEvent = await response.json();
          console.log('Event created:', newEvent);
        };
        
        return (
          <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
            <input
              type="text"
              placeholder="Event name"
              value={event.name}
              onChange={(e) => setEvent({...event, name: e.target.value})}
            />
            {/* Additional fields */}
            <button type="submit">Create Event</button>
          </form>
        );
      }
      ```

      ```bash cURL theme={null}
      curl -X POST https://api.ecoevents.com/v1/events \
        -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN" \
        -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
        -d '{
          "name": "Annual Tech Summit 2026",
          "date": "2026-06-15T09:00:00Z",
          "location": "San Francisco Convention Center",
          "expectedAttendees": 500,
          "sustainabilityGoals": [
            "carbon-neutral",
            "zero-waste",
            "local-sourcing"
          ]
        }'
      ```

      ```javascript Express Backend theme={null}
      // Using Sequelize ORM with Express
      const express = require('express');
      const { Event } = require('./models');

      const app = express();

      app.post('/api/events', async (req, res) => {
        try {
          const event = await Event.create({
            name: req.body.name,
            date: req.body.date,
            location: req.body.location,
            expectedAttendees: req.body.expectedAttendees,
            organizationId: req.user.organizationId,
            sustainabilityGoals: req.body.sustainabilityGoals
          });
          
          res.status(201).json(event);
        } catch (error) {
          res.status(400).json({ error: error.message });
        }
      });
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    ### Set Sustainability Goals

    Choose the environmental initiatives you want to track for this event:

    <AccordionGroup>
      <Accordion icon="leaf" title="Carbon Neutral">
        Track and offset all carbon emissions from travel, venue energy, and catering
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion icon="recycle" title="Zero Waste">
        Minimize waste through composting, recycling, and reusable materials
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion icon="location-dot" title="Local Sourcing">
        Prioritize local vendors, food suppliers, and materials to reduce transportation emissions
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion icon="bolt" title="Renewable Energy">
        Use venues powered by renewable energy sources
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion icon="wifi" title="Virtual/Hybrid Options">
        Reduce travel emissions by offering remote participation
      </Accordion>
    </AccordionGroup>

    <Note>
      EcoEvents automatically calculates baseline carbon emissions based on your event type, location, and attendee count. You can view detailed breakdowns in the Analytics section.
    </Note>

    Click **Create Event** to save your event. You'll be redirected to the event dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invite attendees">
    Add participants and track registrations for your event.

    ### Bulk Invite via CSV

    The fastest way to invite multiple attendees:

    1. Click **Attendees** in the event sidebar
    2. Click **Import CSV**
    3. Upload a CSV file with columns: `email`, `firstName`, `lastName`, `organization`
    4. Review the preview and click **Send Invitations**

    Download our [CSV template](https://assets.ecoevents.com/templates/attendees.csv) for the correct format.

    ### Individual Invitations

    <CodeGroup>
      ```javascript React Component theme={null}
      function InviteAttendee({ eventId }) {
        const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
        
        const sendInvite = async () => {
          const response = await fetch(`/api/events/${eventId}/invites`, {
            method: 'POST',
            headers: {
              'Content-Type': 'application/json',
              'Authorization': `Bearer ${token}`
            },
            body: JSON.stringify({
              email,
              role: 'attendee',
              sendEmail: true
            })
          });
          
          if (response.ok) {
            alert('Invitation sent!');
          }
        };
        
        return (
          <div>
            <input
              type="email"
              value={email}
              onChange={(e) => setEmail(e.target.value)}
              placeholder="attendee@example.com"
            />
            <button onClick={sendInvite}>Send Invite</button>
          </div>
        );
      }
      ```

      ```bash API Request theme={null}
      curl -X POST https://api.ecoevents.com/v1/events/evt_abc123/invites \
        -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN" \
        -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
        -d '{
          "email": "attendee@example.com",
          "firstName": "Jane",
          "lastName": "Smith",
          "organization": "Tech Corp",
          "role": "attendee",
          "sendEmail": true
        }'
      ```

      ```javascript Sequelize Model theme={null}
      // Backend model for attendee invitations
      const { DataTypes } = require('sequelize');

      module.exports = (sequelize) => {
        const Invitation = sequelize.define('Invitation', {
          id: {
            type: DataTypes.UUID,
            defaultValue: DataTypes.UUIDV4,
            primaryKey: true
          },
          eventId: {
            type: DataTypes.UUID,
            allowNull: false
          },
          email: {
            type: DataTypes.STRING,
            allowNull: false,
            validate: { isEmail: true }
          },
          firstName: DataTypes.STRING,
          lastName: DataTypes.STRING,
          organization: DataTypes.STRING,
          status: {
            type: DataTypes.ENUM('pending', 'accepted', 'declined'),
            defaultValue: 'pending'
          },
          invitedAt: {
            type: DataTypes.DATE,
            defaultValue: DataTypes.NOW
          }
        });
        
        return Invitation;
      };
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    ### Customize Invitation Settings

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Email Template">
        Customize the invitation email with your branding:

        * **Subject line**: Event name is automatically included
        * **Message**: Add a personal note or event highlights
        * **RSVP deadline**: Set a registration cutoff date
        * **Sustainability pledge**: Ask attendees to commit to eco-friendly practices
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Registration Questions">
        Collect important information during sign-up:

        * Dietary preferences (for catering estimates)
        * Transportation method (for carbon tracking)
        * Accommodation needs
        * Accessibility requirements
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>

    <Tip>
      Enable **Transportation Tracking** in your event settings to automatically calculate travel-related carbon emissions based on attendee responses.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="View sustainability metrics">
    Monitor your event's environmental impact in real-time.

    ### Access the Analytics Dashboard

    Navigate to **Analytics** in your event sidebar to view comprehensive sustainability metrics.

    ### Key Metrics to Track

    <CardGroup cols={2}>
      <Card title="Carbon Footprint" icon="cloud">
        Total CO₂ emissions in tonnes, broken down by category:

        * Travel (attendee transportation)
        * Venue (energy consumption)
        * Catering (food production and waste)
        * Materials (printed materials, signage)
      </Card>

      <Card title="Waste Reduction" icon="trash">
        Track waste diversion rates:

        * Total waste generated
        * Recycling rate
        * Composting rate
        * Landfill diversion percentage
      </Card>

      <Card title="Local Impact" icon="map-pin">
        Monitor local sourcing goals:

        * Percentage of local vendors
        * Miles saved from local sourcing
        * Support for local businesses
      </Card>

      <Card title="Attendee Actions" icon="users">
        Track participant engagement:

        * Carpools organized
        * Public transit usage
        * Digital-first attendees
        * Sustainability pledges signed
      </Card>
    </CardGroup>

    ### Example Analytics Query

    <CodeGroup>
      ```javascript React Dashboard theme={null}
      import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';

      function EventAnalytics({ eventId }) {
        const [metrics, setMetrics] = useState(null);
        
        useEffect(() => {
          fetch(`/api/events/${eventId}/analytics`, {
            headers: {
              'Authorization': `Bearer ${token}`
            }
          })
            .then(res => res.json())
            .then(data => setMetrics(data));
        }, [eventId]);
        
        if (!metrics) return <div>Loading...</div>;
        
        return (
          <div>
            <h2>Sustainability Metrics</h2>
            <div>
              <h3>Carbon Footprint</h3>
              <p>{metrics.carbonFootprint.total} tonnes CO₂e</p>
              <ul>
                <li>Travel: {metrics.carbonFootprint.travel} t</li>
                <li>Venue: {metrics.carbonFootprint.venue} t</li>
                <li>Catering: {metrics.carbonFootprint.catering} t</li>
              </ul>
            </div>
            
            <div>
              <h3>Waste Diversion</h3>
              <p>{metrics.wasteStats.diversionRate}% diverted from landfill</p>
            </div>
          </div>
        );
      }
      ```

      ```bash API Request theme={null}
      curl https://api.ecoevents.com/v1/events/evt_abc123/analytics \
        -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"
      ```

      ```json Response theme={null}
      {
        "eventId": "evt_abc123",
        "carbonFootprint": {
          "total": 12.5,
          "breakdown": {
            "travel": 8.2,
            "venue": 2.1,
            "catering": 1.8,
            "materials": 0.4
          },
          "unit": "tonnes_co2e"
        },
        "wasteStats": {
          "totalWaste": 150,
          "recycled": 85,
          "composted": 45,
          "landfill": 20,
          "diversionRate": 86.7,
          "unit": "kg"
        },
        "localSourcing": {
          "percentage": 78,
          "vendorCount": 12,
          "localVendorCount": 9,
          "milesSaved": 3420
        },
        "attendeeEngagement": {
          "totalAttendees": 487,
          "carpoolParticipants": 124,
          "publicTransitUsers": 203,
          "virtualAttendees": 89,
          "pledgesSigned": 412
        },
        "lastUpdated": "2026-06-15T16:30:00Z"
      }
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    ### Generate Reports

    Create shareable sustainability reports for stakeholders:

    1. Click **Generate Report** in the Analytics dashboard
    2. Select report type:
       * **Executive Summary**: High-level metrics and achievements
       * **Detailed Analysis**: Comprehensive breakdown with recommendations
       * **Comparison Report**: Compare with similar events or industry benchmarks
    3. Choose format: PDF, CSV, or interactive web report
    4. Share directly via email or download for distribution

    <Note>
      Reports include visual charts, year-over-year comparisons, and actionable recommendations for improving sustainability in future events.
    </Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next Steps

Now that you've created your first event, explore these features to maximize your impact:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Event Management" icon="calendar-check" href="/features/event-management">
    Learn advanced event configuration and management features
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tracking Impact" icon="leaf" href="/guides/tracking-impact">
    Learn how to measure and reduce your event's environmental impact
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Integration" icon="code" href="/api/introduction">
    Integrate EcoEvents with your existing tools and workflows
  </Card>

  <Card title="Managing Attendees" icon="users" href="/guides/managing-attendees">
    Handle registrations, check-ins, and attendee communications
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Technology Stack

EcoEvents is built with modern, scalable technologies:

* **Frontend**: React 19 with TypeScript and Vite
* **Backend**: Express 5 with Node.js
* **Database**: PostgreSQL with Sequelize ORM
* **API**: RESTful architecture with JWT authentication

<Tip>
  Check out our [GitHub repository](https://github.com/devcarlosperez/EcoEvents) to explore the codebase and contribute.
</Tip>

## Need Help?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Documentation" icon="book" href="/introduction">
    Browse the complete documentation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Support" icon="life-ring" href="mailto:support@ecoevents.com">
    Contact our support team
  </Card>

  <Card title="GitHub Repository" icon="github" href="https://github.com/devcarlosperez/EcoEvents">
    Explore the source code and contribute
  </Card>

  <Card title="Integrations" icon="plug" href="/guides/integrations">
    Connect with your favorite tools and services
  </Card>
</CardGroup>