Venue Google Maps Integration

Setting up Google Maps in Event Espresso allows you to display event locations visually on your event pages. This feature helps attendees find the event location easily and enhances the overall event experience. Here’s how to set it up:

Step 1: Obtain a Google Maps API Key

To use Google Maps with Event Espresso, you first need a Google Maps API key. Follow these steps to obtain one:
Visit the Google Cloud Console.
Create a new project or select an existing one.
Navigate to APIs & Services > Library and enable the following APIs:
- Maps JavaScript API
- Geocoding API
Go to APIs & Services > Credentials, then click on Create credentials > API key.
Copy the API key provided.

Step 2: Add the API Key to Event Espresso

Go to Event Espresso > General Settings.

Under the Google Maps tab, paste your Google Maps API key into the API Key field.

Click Save to store the changes.

Step 3: Enable Google Maps for Events

Navigate to Event Espresso > Events and choose the event you want to edit.

Scroll down to the Venue section, and ensure that you have an address entered for the venue. The map will be generated based on this information.

Make sure the Display Google Map checkbox is checked for the event.

Save your event settings.

Step 4: Assign Venue to Events or Datetimes

Visit your event(s) and choose the venue location for the event (all datetimes) or select a venue for individual datetimes (see below).

Step 5: Adjust Google Maps Display Settings (Optional)

You can customize the appearance and behavior of the map through Event Espresso’s settings:

Go to Event Espresso > General Settings and select the Google Maps tab.
Options available include:
- Map Zoom Level: Adjust how zoomed in the map appears.
- Map Type: Choose between Roadmap, Satellite, Hybrid, and Terrain.
- Enable Map Controls: Choose whether users can zoom, pan, and switch map views.

Once you’ve adjusted these settings, click Save.

Step 6: Test the Google Map on the Event Page

Visit the event page on your website to confirm that the map is displaying correctly.

If you encounter issues (e.g., the map does not appear or shows an error), check the following:

Ensure that the API key is correctly entered and valid.
Make sure the necessary APIs (Maps JavaScript API and Geocoding API) are enabled in your Google Cloud Console.
Verify that the venue address is complete and accurate.

Step 7: Troubleshooting Common Issues

Map Not Displaying: Check for JavaScript console errors in your browser's developer tools. This can help you identify whether there’s a problem with the API key or missing permissions.
Geocoding Errors: Ensure that the Geocoding API is enabled in your Google Cloud Console. The geocoding feature converts the venue address into geographic coordinates for the map.
API Key Restrictions: In the Google Cloud Console, check that your API key restrictions (e.g., HTTP referrer restrictions) are set correctly to allow your domain to use the key.

By following these steps, you can successfully integrate and customize Google Maps for your events using Event Espresso.