Event Information

In 2025, Daniel is bringing the ultimate AI sidekick for event management to RunSignup customers via the RunSignup AI Chatbot.

This smart tool will train on your event’s details—like schedules, FAQs, and policies—to instantly answer runner questions about registration, courses, and more. Available 24/7, it cuts support tickets by up to 80%, reducing stress and saving time for your team.

In this webinar, we’ll show you how the RunSignup AI Chatbot will:

• Integrate with your RunSignup race website

• Keep runners informed in real-time

• Provide insights to improve future events

• Work for races of all sizes—from 5Ks to marathons to festivals

Whether you’re looking to save hours of support time or just want happier runners, this is your chance to see the tech in action and ask questions live. Get ready for what’s next!

View Slides

Summary of Webinar 

Overview

The RunSignup AI Chatbot Early Access webinar introduces a new, participant-facing chatbot designed to reduce customer support workload while improving the participant experience. Built directly into Website Builder v2, the chatbot uses event-specific content, FAQs, and dynamic RunSignup data to answer common questions in real time. This session explains why RunSignup is investing heavily in AI, walks through a live demo of the chatbot in action, outlines near-term feature plans, and previews a longer-term vision where AI agents interact deeply with RunSignup’s platform, APIs, and event workflows.

Why RunSignup Is Building an AI Chatbot

• Reinvesting in customer-facing improvements using company profits

• Providing a practical, immediately useful AI application (not aspirational)

• Reducing repetitive participant questions as reading decreases

• Improving visibility into common participant questions to strengthen FAQs

• Using aggregated insights to help all events improve documentation

What the AI Chatbot Does Today

Handles Common Participant Questions

Examples include:

• Packet pickup location and times

• Parking details

• Race start times

• Refunds and transfers

• Confirmation emails

• Dog policies and awards

Uses Dynamic RunSignup Data

• Registration status

• Price changes and deadlines

• Participant-specific data (e.g., bib number, results)

• Results comparisons between participants

• Post-race data like photos (where available)

The chatbot updates automatically when website content or system data changes.

User Experience & Interface

• Chatbot appears as a floating bubble across Website Builder v2 pages

• Optional dedicated chatbot page with a shareable URL

• Customizable greeting message

• Conversation starters that change based on event phase (pre-race vs. post-race)

Live Demo Highlights

The demo walked through a full participant lifecycle:

• Choosing a race distance

• Registering and understanding pricing

• Packet pickup directions with Google Maps integration

• Parking and race-day logistics

• Edge-case questions handled gracefully (e.g., “emotional support turkey”)

• Donating to the event

• Finding personal results and comparing performances

The chatbot demonstrated:

• Context awareness

• Dynamic data access

• Polite escalation when information was unavailable

Admin & Back-End Capabilities

Chatbot Configuration

• Bot display name

• Greeting message

• Support email routing

Conversation History

• View individual participant conversations

• Identify common questions

• Improve chatbot answers directly by editing questions and responses

Analytics (Planned)

• Question frequency trends

• Escalation rates to human support

• Insights to improve FAQs and content

Short-Term Product Roadmap

• Required FAQ component in Website Builder v2

• Smart FAQ suggestions based on common questions

• Simplified chatbot setup (name, greeting, support email)

• Dynamic conversation starters based on event timing

• Improved conversation review and answer refinement tools

Long-Term Vision

RunSignup outlined a broader AI strategy focused on:

• Becoming the AI events company

• Deep integration with RunSignup APIs and permissions

• MCP (Model Context Protocol) services to make RunSignup data AI-friendly

• Secure authentication (OAuth) enabling AI-driven actions, not just answers

• Future AI agents for:

  • Participant self-service (transfers, deferrals)

  • Director dashboards (analytics, marketing insights, settings changes)

Beta Program Details

• Limited, hand-selected early access group

• Admin-only during beta

• Requires:

  • Website Builder v2

  • An FAQ section

  • Native RunSignup results publishing (for result-based queries)

• Expected beta rollout: late summer

• Goal: broader public availability later this year

Key Requirements & Constraints

• Website Builder v2 is required

• External websites are not supported for training

• Chatbots are per race or per event, not shared across events

• This avoids misinformation and ensures event-specific accuracy

Support, Escalation & Languages

• Chatbot escalates unanswered questions via support email links

• Future plans include:

  • Multiple escalation paths (timer, director, sponsor contact)

  • Automated escalation emails

• Supports major languages automatically when users ask in another language

Final Takeaways

• The AI chatbot is free

• Designed to significantly reduce participant support workload

• Built to evolve rapidly with continuous improvements