When you set up automated reminders for events like tours, open houses, or parent meetings, you want them to send at the right time — especially if your families span multiple time zones.

This guide shows you how to ensure your event reminders respect time zones and send when you intend them to.

Understanding Time Zone Behavior

Enrollio automations use the time zone set on the event itself. If you're sending a reminder "1 day before" a tour scheduled for 2:00 PM EST, the reminder will calculate based on that Eastern time — even if you're viewing it from Pacific time.

Important: The time zone of the parent/family contact doesn't affect when reminders send. Only the event's time zone matters.

Common Issue: Reminders Sending at Wrong Times

If your "before" reminders are sending at unexpected times, here's what's usually happening:

  1. The event was created in one time zone
  2. The automation is set to trigger based on a different time zone
  3. The reminder sends at the "correct" time for the wrong zone

How to Fix Time Zone Issues

Step 1: Check your event's time zone

  1. Open the calendar event in Enrollio
  2. Look for the time zone setting (usually below the time fields)
  3. Verify it matches where the event is actually happening
[SCREENSHOT: Calendar event edit screen showing time zone dropdown highlighted]

Step 2: Review your automation settings

  1. Go to Automations in your left sidebar
  2. Open the automation that sends event reminders
  3. Find the trigger that starts the automation (usually "Event Date")
  4. Check the "Send reminder" timing (e.g., "1 day before")
[SCREENSHOT: Automation builder showing event date trigger with time zone settings visible]

Step 3: Set a consistent default time zone

  1. Click Settings in your left sidebar
  2. Go to Business Profile
  3. Set your primary time zone for your center
  4. Save your changes

This becomes the default for new events and automations.

[SCREENSHOT: Business Profile settings page with time zone dropdown highlighted]

Pro Tip: Multi-Location Centers

If you run multiple locations in different time zones, create separate event calendars for each location. Set the time zone on each calendar to match that location, and your reminders will automatically use the right zone.

Testing Your Reminder Timing

Before launching an automation with event reminders:

  1. Create a test event 2-3 hours in the future
  2. Set a reminder to send "1 hour before"
  3. Add yourself as a test contact to the event
  4. Verify the reminder arrives at the expected time

This simple test catches most time zone issues before they affect families.

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Tour reminders for next-day tours
If you schedule a tour at 10:00 AM EST and want to send a reminder at 9:00 AM EST (1 hour before), make sure both the event and automation use EST. The reminder will send at 9:00 AM Eastern, which appears as 6:00 AM Pacific to your West Coast team members — but that's correct.

Scenario 2: Recurring events like weekly parent nights
For recurring events, the time zone applies to all instances. If you create a weekly event series at 6:00 PM Central, reminders will always calculate from Central time, even during daylight saving changes.

Still Having Issues?

If your reminders are still sending at incorrect times after checking these settings:

  • Verify your computer/device isn't set to the wrong time zone (this can affect how you view times)
  • Check if daylight saving time recently changed
  • Review any custom date fields you're using as triggers
  • Contact Enrollio support with the specific automation and event details