Managing the Lobby Chat and Networking tab

After accessing the Lobby tab in the event creation flow, you can modify the lobby home masthead, enable or disable your event’s chat, and pause or resume expo.

The Lobby Chat and Networking tab helps hosts manage a centralized control panel for their lobby, chat, host announcements, and networking settings.

Learn more about managing other settings in the Lobby tab.

This article covers:

Prerequisites for managing the Lobby Chat and Networking tab

Note: For access to the latest Zoom Events and Webinar features, we strongly recommend hosts to update to the latest version of the Zoom desktop client/mobile application.

How to access the Lobby Chat and Networking tab in Zoom Events

  1. Create a Zoom Event or edit an upcoming event to access the event setup.
  2. In the event creation flow navigation menu, click Event Experience, then click Lobby.
  3. Click the Lobby Chat and Networking tab.

How to enable or disable the lobby chat panel and networking

Hosts can completely enable or disable lobby chat and networking for their event. Enabling the chat panel will enable configured chat channels and networking. Disabling the chat panel will disable all chat channels and networking; attendees will need to reload the lobby.

  1. Access the Lobby Chat and Networking tab in Zoom Events.
  2. To the right of Lobby Chat Panel, click the toggle to enable or disable it.
    A confirmation window will appear.
  3. In the window, click Enable or Disable to confirm.

How to configure the Lobby Chat and Networking tab

Configure lobby chats

You can configure your lobby chat settings. The Chat section displays your lobby chat settings and if you have enabled or disabled chats. The following chats are displayed in this section:

Enable or disable chat types

If a chat is enabled, a green dot next to Enabled will appear, along with the number of enabled chats. If a chat is disabled, a gray dot next to Disabled will appear, along with the number of disabled chats.

To enable or disable chats:

  1. If the chat type is displayed as Enabled, click Disable to disable the chat.
  2. If the chat type is displayed as Disabled, click Enable to enable the chat.

Reset lobby or expo chats

You can also Reset chats for the lobby, custom chat channels, and event staff chat. This allows hosts and moderators to remove all messages in chat after disabling chat. You can access this content in the event chat logs.

To reset chats:

  1. Ensure that your chat is disabled.
    The Reset option will be available when chat is disabled.
  2. Click Reset.
  3. In the verification dialog box, click Reset to confirm.
    Note: All content for this chat will be removed for attendees. Please note that this action cannot be undone.

Configure event staff chat

  1. To the right of Event Staff Chat, click Configure.
    A pop-up window will appear.
  2. In the window, select the checkboxes of the roles that will be able to see and interact with the event staff chat.
  3. Click Save.

Rename custom chat channels

  1. To the right of Custom Chat Channel 1 or Custom Chat Channel 2, click Rename.
    A pop-up window will appear.
  2. In the window, enter a name for the chat channel.
    Note: You can use a maximum of 24 characters.
  3. Click Save Changes.

Manage chat controls

Manage code of conduct

The code of conduct outlines the expectations for all those who participate in chat. The Code of Conduct is a dismissible pop-up message that will appear in the lobby chat panel when attendees join an event. This is an opportunity to inform attendees about community rules and guidelines when using chat.

To enable or disable Code of Conduct:

  1. If this setting is displayed as Enabled, click Disable to disable the setting.
  2. If this setting is displayed as Disabled, click Enable to enable the setting.

To edit the Code of Conduct:

  1. To the right of Code of Conduct, click Edit.
    A pop-up window will appear.
  2. In the window, edit the code of conduct:
  3. Click Save.

Manage compose with Zoom AI Companion controls

Hosts can manage Compose with Zoom AI Companion for their event chat at the event level. This setting allows attendees to use AI to compose a response from scratch or wordsmith their chat messages.

If the Compose with Zoom AI Companion setting is enabled, a green dot next to Enabled will appear. If the Compose with Zoom AI Companion setting is disabled, a gray dot next to Disabled will appear.

To enable or disable Compose with Zoom AI Companion:

  1. If this setting is displayed as Enabled, click Disable to disable the setting.
  2. If this setting is displayed as Disabled, click Enable to enable the setting.

Note: If the option is grayed out, it has been locked at the account level and you will need to contact your Zoom admin.

Manage chat channel hours

Hosts can schedule the opening and closing times of public chats in their Zoom Event. The open /close times can be set once for all public channels, and these times can only be set within the lobby open times. This will automatically open and close public chats at specified date and time. Public chats include lobby chats, session chats, exhibitor and expo chats, and custom chat channels.

Note: This feature is available for public channels only.

To enable or disable Chat Channel Hours:

  1. If this setting is displayed as Enabled, click Disable to disable the setting.
  2. If this setting is displayed as Disabled, click Enable to enable the setting.
  3. After clicking Enable, click Edit to schedule the opening and closing times of public chats for the event.
    A pop-up window will appear.
    1. In the window, specify the date and time to open and close public chats automatically.
    2. Click Save.

Configure networking settings

This section lets you manage which networking features are enabled. Networking allows attendees to share their profiles to make connections during the event.

Click the following toggles to enable or disable them: