LDEvents-ConferenceNetwork
Scalable WordPress Multisite Platform with Custom React Booking Infrastructure
Overview
LD Events run multiple large-scale conferences each year. Each event requires its own branded website, ticketing system, and backend tools, but maintaining separate builds for every conference was inefficient and difficult to scale.
They needed a repeatable system that could launch new event websites quickly, while keeping booking, payments, and delegate management tightly integrated.
TheBrief
- Enable rapid creation of new event websites
- Maintain consistent structure while allowing full brand flexibility
- Integrate ticket sales with Stripe
- Automate invoicing via Xero
- Provide internal tools for managing delegates, speakers, and legacy data
- Reduce developer dependency for day-to-day operations
The system needed to feel simple for the internal team, despite significant technical complexity behind the scenes.
TheApproach
I architected a custom WordPress Multisite network that acts as a scalable event framework.
Each new event automatically generates from a predefined template, including:
- Core page structure
- Navigation
- Global settings
- Booking system integration
- Preconfigured ACF fields
The main company site operates as a central hub using a flexible block-based ACF theme, while each subsite inherits the event framework but remains independently brandable.
WhatIBuilt
1. Automated Event Site Generation
When LD Events create a new event, the system spins up a fully configured subsite.
The team simply uploads branding assets, sets colour variables, and adds content.
No manual setup. No duplicated configuration work.
2. Bespoke React Booking System
Each event site includes a custom-built React application that handles:
-
Multi-ticket selection
-
Delegate data capture
-
Stripe payment processing
-
Automated Xero invoice generation
-
Confirmation workflows
The booking system was built as a modular application so it can be deployed consistently across all event sites while remaining configurable per event.
3. Admin & Data Tools
To support event management at scale, I developed internal tooling including:
-
Delegate management dashboard
-
CSV export tools
-
Speaker list import functionality
-
Legacy event data migration utilities
These tools significantly reduced manual processing and administrative overhead.
Results
- New event websites can be launched in minutes rather than days
- Reduced developer involvement in repeat event setup
- Centralised data handling across multiple conferences
- Streamlined payment and invoicing workflow
- Improved internal operational efficiency
The system allows LD Events to scale their conference portfolio without scaling technical overhead.
Role&Credits
Initially built while working as Lead Developer at Gold Pebble.
Design direction provided by the Gold Pebble team.
Architecture, backend systems, and booking platform development by Taran Stafford.
