A client came to us with a unique planning challenge. They were preparing for a multi-week national broadcast series scheduled a few months out, and during that window, they didn’t want any other programs competing for attention. No speaker programs or other event types The sole focus needed to be driving attendance to the broadcast.
Their ask was straightforward on the surface: could we create a blackout date so reps couldn’t request other event types during that timeframe?
The tricky part was that while Speakcore can restrict date selection using minimum or maximum dates, this scenario required a more nuanced approach. This wasn’t just “don’t allow dates before or after X.” It was conditional. Certain event types needed to be restricted only within a specific window, while still allowing the national broadcast itself to proceed uninterrupted.
Instead of forcing a solution that didn’t quite fit, we took a more consultative approach and stepped back to focus on the underlying goal. The real need wasn’t blocking requests entirely—it was ensuring non-broadcast events didn’t move forward during the broadcast window.
Using Speakcore’s workflow engine, we proposed two options. The first was a workflow that automatically detects when a non-broadcast event is requested within the broadcast date range and moves it into a new, dedicated event status. That status alerts the agency partner, who can then reach out to the requester to coordinate a compliant date outside the broadcast window. The second option was a full auto-deny, with the denial reason clearly tracked as a non-compliant date selection.
After reviewing both, the client chose the first option. It preserved visibility, maintained flexibility for the field, and still protected the integrity of the national broadcast strategy.
The takeaway? Sometimes the best solution isn’t a hard stop—it’s designing workflows that guide behavior, maintain control, and still keep the business moving.
