1.11.2

Channels

Create and manage topic-broadcast discussion channels scoped to your program — for reviewer coordination, AC discussions, or track-specific announcements — and archive them when they're done.

Last updated: 2026-06-29

Purpose

The Channels sub-tab is where you create and manage discussion channels scoped to your program. Channels are persistent, topic-broadcast spaces — use them for reviewer coordination, AC discussions, or track-specific announcements.

Every channel you create here is scoped to your program. (Conference-wide channels live in the Conference Leadership Console, and platform-tier channels in Super Admin.)

The sub-tab lists your program's channels in two groups — Active and Archived — showing each channel's visibility, member count, message count, and last activity.

When you use it

Use Channels when your program needs an ongoing place to talk rather than a one-way broadcast. Spin up a channel for your committee to coordinate reviews, for area chairs to discuss borderline papers, or for a specific track. When a channel has served its purpose, archive it so members can no longer post.

Walkthrough

  1. 1

    In the Communications tab, open the Channels sub-tab. You'll see your program's Active and Archived channels (or an empty state if there are none yet).

  2. 2

    Click New Channel to open the create form.

  3. 3

    Enter a Slug (lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens — e.g. reviewer-coordination) and a Display name (e.g. "Reviewer Coordination"). Both are required. Add an optional Description.

  4. 4

    Choose VisibilityPublic (anyone in the program can join) or Private (invite-only, hidden from non-members) — and a Category (Committee, Official, Support, Track, or Community).

  5. 5

    Click Create channel. It appears in the Active list.

  6. 6

    Click a channel's name (the #slug link) to open it. To retire a channel, click the archive button on its row and confirm — members will no longer be able to post.

Tips

Use a clear slug and category

The slug becomes the channel's #handle, so keep it short and descriptive. The category (Committee, Track, etc.) helps people find the right channel at a glance.

Private channels are hidden

A Private channel is invite-only and hidden from non-members, so it won't clutter the channel list for people who aren't part of it. Use it for sensitive committee or AC discussions.

Archiving stops posting

Archiving a channel prevents members from posting to it. The channel and its history move to the Archived group rather than being deleted.

Where the conversation happens

This sub-tab is for creating and retiring channels. To read and post in them — threads, attachments, members, and more — open the Channels workspace.

Open the Program Chair Console