> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.getmobly.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.getmobly.com/help-center/host/getting-started-with-host.md).

# Getting started with Host

Host is Mobly's registration and pre-event communication layer. When you're running an event that needs formal registration — invitations, RSVPs, branded registration pages, automated email confirmations — Host is where you build and send those.

This article covers the launch flow: how to open Host from a Mobly event and what happens when you do. For the one-time SSO setup, see [Connecting to Host](/help-center/host/connecting-to-host.md).

## When to use Host (vs. the classic registration option)

Each Mobly event has two registration paths under its **Registration** tab. Pick the one that fits the event:

| Use...                                | When...                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| ------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Classic registration (CSV upload)** | You already have your attendee list (sales, customer success, or marketing built it). You just want those records loaded into Mobly so the team can check them in at the door. No public registration page, no invitations going out.                                              |
| **Host**                              | You're running formal registration. People discover the event, click an invitation, fill out a registration page, get a confirmation email with a ticket. Host handles the registration page + email automation; Mobly handles the leads + scanning + reporting once they show up. |

Most internal-only events use Classic. Most marketing-led events with a public RSVP flow use Host.

## Opening Host for an event

1. In the Hub, open the event you want to set up registration for.
2. Go to the **Registration** tab.
3. Choose **Host** as the registration method.

Once you click Host, Mobly **auto-ingests the event details** in the background — name, dates, location, languages — and creates a Host workspace pre-populated with those values. You don't have to re-enter event basics.

4. A prompt appears asking what additional information you want collected from registrants beyond the basics (first name, last name, email). Add any custom fields your event needs — accommodation preferences, dietary restrictions, workshop choices, plus-one details, consents.
5. From there, you land in the Host interface and can build out your registration page, email templates, and form details. The event is now wired up.

## What Mobly handles vs. what Host handles

| Concern                                             | Owned by                                                    |
| --------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Event basics (name, dates, location)                | **Mobly** — you set them in the Hub, Host pulls them in     |
| Registrant data fields, custom form questions       | **Host** — configured per event                             |
| Public registration page (the page guests fill out) | **Host**                                                    |
| Invitation, confirmation, ticket, reminder emails   | **Host**                                                    |
| The actual guest list / leads                       | **Mobly** — registrants become leads in Mobly automatically |
| At-event check-in, badge scanning, on-site capture  | **Mobly App** at the event                                  |
| Post-event reporting and ROI                        | **Mobly Hub**                                               |

The mental model: Host runs the pre-event funnel (invite → register → confirm). Mobly runs the at-event and post-event flow (capture → enrich → engage → report).

> **Guests in Host = Leads in Mobly.** You don't need a separate guest list — Mobly handles it. See [The Mobly App](/help-center/the-mobly-app/the-mobly-app.md) for capture and [The Hub](/help-center/the-hub/the-hub.md) for lead management.

## What to set up next

Once you've opened Host for an event, the typical next steps:

* [**Use the AI prompt builder**](/help-center/host/using-the-ai-prompt-builder.md) — describe the event in plain language and Host builds the registration page, ticket types, and email templates in one shot. This is the fastest path from zero to a usable starting point
* [**Prepare the event page**](/help-center/host/preparing-the-event-page.md) — refine the registration page guests see when they click your invitation
* [**Create email templates**](/help-center/host/creating-email-templates.md) — refine the invitations, confirmations, tickets, and reminders the AI scaffolded

## Related articles

* [Connecting to Host](/help-center/host/connecting-to-host.md) — one-time SSO setup
* [Preparing the event page](/help-center/host/preparing-the-event-page.md)
* [Creating email templates](/help-center/host/creating-email-templates.md)


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