A REST API (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface) is a standardized interface that allows external systems to retrieve data from the congress software. It serves as the technical foundation for integration with CRM, accounting, marketing tools, and custom-developed applications.
Data format: JSON, occasionally XML
Authentication: API key, OAuth 2.0
Access model: GET, POST, PUT, DELETE via HTTP
What is a REST API?
A REST API is the gateway through which other software systems communicate with the congress platform. Instead of exporting data manually, external applications request exactly the information they need. "REST" describes an architectural style that operates via the HTTP protocol and is resource-oriented (e.g., "attendee," "booking," "session"), accessed using standardized methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
In the context of a congress, the API is the technical prerequisite for ensuring that accounting exports, CRM synchronizations, and marketing automation run smoothly.
Typical use cases
- CRM synchronization: New attendees are automatically created in the CRM
- Accounting: Payment and invoice data are sent directly to the ERP or accounting system
- Marketing Automation: Event attendance triggers email campaigns or newsletter segmentations
- Custom Frontend: Custom conference frontend uses the API to display program data
- Mobile App: Conference app retrieves program, attendee lists, and push notifications via the API
- Business Intelligence: Data is loaded into data warehouse solutions for comprehensive analysis
- Sponsor Portal: Exhibitors view their lead data in real time via the API
Security and performance requirements
- Authentication: OAuth 2.0 or API keys with restricted scopes – never full admin rights
- Encryption: HTTPS only, exclude older TLS versions
- Rate Limiting: Converia protects against excessive usage, clear quotas per token
- Pagination: Large datasets are delivered in pages instead of all at once
- Versioning: API versions explicitly (e.g.,
/v1/,/v2/) so that updates do not break existing integrations
Best practices for integration
- Idempotent write operations: Duplicate requests must not create duplicate entries
- Error handling with retry logic and dead-letter queues
- Set up monitoring and alerting for API errors
- Maintain documentation of your integrations – who uses which system and for what purpose
REST API in Converia
Converia provides a full REST API with OAuth 2.0 authentication: attendee and booking data, program structure, check-in status, and payment information can be imported into any system.
Connect Converia to your system landscape
With the Converia REST API, you can integrate accounting, CRM, or custom applications in hours instead of weeks.
- Accounting export – Data / Tracking / ROI
- Attendee management – Ticketing & registration
- Ticketing system – Ticketing & registration
Full REST API with OAuth 2.0 – for CRM, accounting, and custom integrations.