Wagtail

Self-Hosted

Open-source Django CMS for building custom conference management solutions

Overview

Wagtail is a flexible, Django-powered open-source CMS ideal for creating tailored conference management platforms. It enables teams to build custom modules for speaker profiles, session scheduling, agenda management, and attendee tracking. Deployable via Docker, cloud services (AWS, Heroku), or self-hosted servers, it integrates with PostgreSQL and supports extendability through plugins. With full data privacy control and branding flexibility, it’s perfect for conferences needing unique workflows—though it requires Django development skills for custom setup.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  wagtail:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: wagtail
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Customizable speaker & session management modules
Flexible agenda and schedule building tools
Attendee data tracking with custom Django models
Docker & cloud deployment compatibility
Extensible via Django plugins and integrations
User-friendly admin interface for content updates

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Wagtail hard to install for conference management?

Wagtail core is easy to install via pip or Docker, but building a conference management solution requires Django development skills to create custom models (e.g., speakers, sessions) and templates. Pre-built plugins may reduce effort, but full customization needs coding knowledge.

? Is it a good alternative to proprietary apps like Cvent?

Yes—if you want full control over your conference data and workflows. Unlike Cvent (a closed SaaS), Wagtail lets you self-host and tailor every feature (branding, session tracking) but lacks pre-built tools, so it’s best for teams with dev resources.

? Is it completely free?

Yes! Wagtail is open-source under the MIT license, so there are no licensing fees. Costs only apply to hosting, server resources, or paid development work for custom conference modules.

Top Alternatives

Cvent Search Google

Eventbrite Compare

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Conference Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data ownership)
⊕ Highly customizable for unique conference needs
⊕ Open-source (no licensing costs)
⊕ Scalable for small to large events
⊕ Integrates with Django’s robust ecosystem

Cons

⊖ Requires Django development expertise for custom features
⊖ No pre-built out-of-the-box conference solution
⊖ Steeper learning curve for non-technical teams
⊖ Maintenance of custom codebase post-event