Plone
Self-HostedOpen-source CMS with enterprise-grade conference management capabilities
Overview
Plone is a secure, extensible open-source CMS that excels at conference management via dedicated add-ons like Products.Conference or Plone Conference. It supports abstract submission/review workflows, attendee registration with payment gateway integration, agenda scheduling (room/time slots, track categorization), speaker profiles with session details, and multilingual content for global events. Deployable via Docker (simplified setup), cloud (AWS/Azure), or on-prem servers. Built with enterprise-grade role-based access control, responsive design for mobile users, and long-term data preservation—ideal for academic conferences, tech meetups, and large-scale industry events. Customizable themes and workflows adapt to unique conference requirements.
Self-Hosting Resources
Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml.
⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.
version: '3'
services:
plone:
image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
container_name: plone
ports:
- "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
volumes:
- ./data:/app/data
restart: unless-stopped Key Features
- Abstract submission & peer-review workflows
- Agenda scheduling with track/room management
- Attendee registration & payment integration
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is Plone hard to install for conference management?
Plone can be deployed easily via Docker (pre-configured images) or cloud platforms. For conference features, you’ll need to install add-ons like Products.Conference—this requires basic familiarity with Plone’s admin interface, but community docs and tutorials simplify the process.
? Is Plone a good alternative to proprietary tools like Cvent?
Yes—Plone offers full data ownership (critical for compliance), customizable workflows (e.g., abstract reviews), and no recurring fees. However, it lacks the out-of-the-box simplicity of SaaS tools like Cvent and needs more initial setup time.
? Is Plone completely free for conference management?
Plone core and most conference add-ons are 100% free (GPLv2 license). Costs may arise from hosting, premium support, or custom development for unique needs, but there are no mandatory subscription fees.
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Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Self-hosted data control (GDPR/CCPA compliant)
- ⊕ Extensible via add-ons for custom conference needs
- ⊕ Enterprise-grade security (ISO 27001 aligned)
Cons
- ⊖ Steeper learning curve for non-technical admins
- ⊖ Requires add-on installation for full conference functionality
- ⊖ Customization may need Python/Zope expertise