GoHighLevel Event Start Date Guide

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How to Use the Event Start Date Action in GoHighLevel Workflows

If you manage projects in ClickUp and marketing automation in GoHighLevel, you need precise control over when date-based workflows start. The Event Start Date action lets you define the exact date and time an event should begin, so every related action in your automation runs at the right moment.

This guide walks you through how the Event Start Date action works in GoHighLevel, where to find it, and how to configure static and dynamic dates inside your workflows.

What the Event Start Date Action Does in GoHighLevel

The Event Start Date action in GoHighLevel is designed to control when a calendar event, appointment, or date-driven workflow sequence should officially start.

In practice, this action allows you to:

  • Set a specific calendar date and time for an event.
  • Base the start date on a contact field or custom field.
  • Use the current time or an offset from another date.
  • Align follow-up messages and tasks around a key event.

Once configured, every downstream step that relies on the event start can reference this value to ensure consistent automation timing.

Where to Find the Event Start Date Action in GoHighLevel

You can add the Event Start Date action to any workflow inside GoHighLevel. Use the following path to locate it:

  1. Open your GoHighLevel account and go to Automation.
  2. Select Workflows from the menu.
  3. Open an existing workflow or create a new one.
  4. Click the + button to add a new action.
  5. Search for Set Event Start Date in the action list.
  6. Click it to insert the action into your workflow.

After you have placed the action, you can configure exactly how the start date should be calculated.

GoHighLevel Event Start Date Configuration Options

When you add the Event Start Date action in GoHighLevel, you will see a panel with several options that control how the date and time are set.

GoHighLevel Event Start Date: Static Date Option

The simplest approach is to assign a fixed, static date and time.

Use this when all workflow contacts should share one common event date, such as a webinar or in-person event.

To configure a static date:

  1. Choose the Static or fixed date option.
  2. Select the calendar date from the date picker.
  3. Specify the exact start time, including AM/PM.
  4. Confirm the time zone if the interface provides a time zone field.

Every contact who passes through this action will receive the same event start timestamp.

GoHighLevel Event Start Date: Dynamic Date from Contact Fields

Dynamic dates allow the Event Start Date to be different for each contact, based on information in their record.

You might use this to:

  • Set the start date based on a Custom Field (for example, Onboarding Start Date).
  • Use the Contact Created date plus a specific number of days.
  • Align event start with a membership or subscription start date.

To configure a dynamic date in GoHighLevel:

  1. Choose the Dynamic or field-based option.
  2. Select the source field, such as a contact custom date field.
  3. If available, enter any offset (for example, +3 days or -1 day).
  4. Confirm the time of day if the system does not inherit it from the field.

Each contact’s event start is calculated at runtime based on that contact’s data.

GoHighLevel Event Start Date: Using the Current Time

Sometimes you want the event start to match the moment the contact reaches this step in the workflow.

To use the current time:

  1. Select the option that uses Current Date/Time or similar wording.
  2. Confirm whether you want to keep the contact’s time zone or your account time zone.
  3. Save the action.

This approach is useful for quickly assigning a reference point that downstream steps can use for delays and reminders.

How the Event Start Date Affects Other GoHighLevel Workflow Steps

Once you configure the Event Start Date action, other actions in GoHighLevel can reference this timestamp.

Common use cases include:

  • Scheduling SMS and email reminders before the event start.
  • Triggering follow-up sequences after the event start.
  • Segmenting contacts based on how close they are to the event.
  • Aligning internal tasks and notifications with the event timeline.

Because all of these operations rely on a consistent event start, configuring the action correctly is critical for reliable automation.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Event Start Date in a GoHighLevel Workflow

Use this concise checklist to set up the Event Start Date action reliably in GoHighLevel.

  1. Plan your event timing
    • Decide whether your use case needs a static date, a dynamic date, or the current time.
    • Identify which field (if any) will store the reference date in the contact record.
  2. Add the workflow action
    • Navigate to Automation > Workflows in GoHighLevel.
    • Open your workflow and click the + icon.
    • Select Set Event Start Date.
  3. Choose the date type
    • Pick Static for a fixed event date shared by all contacts.
    • Pick Dynamic for a date based on a contact field.
    • Pick Current Date/Time if the event start should be set when the contact reaches this step.
  4. Configure date and time
    • Set the calendar date if using a static date.
    • Choose the source field and any offset if using a dynamic date.
    • Confirm time and time zone as required.
  5. Save and test
    • Save the workflow changes.
    • Run a test contact through the workflow.
    • Verify in the contact’s timeline or event details that the event start date appears as expected.

Best Practices for Event Start Date in GoHighLevel

To avoid issues with scheduling and reminders, keep the following best practices in mind:

  • Use consistent time zones
    Check whether your GoHighLevel account uses a global time zone or contact-level time zones, and keep your choice consistent throughout the workflow.
  • Validate custom fields
    When using dynamic dates, confirm that every contact has a valid date in the selected field. Empty or invalid values can cause unexpected behavior.
  • Test offsets carefully
    If you apply + or – day offsets, test several scenarios (past dates, future dates, and edge cases close to midnight).
  • Document your logic
    Add internal notes or comments in the workflow so team members understand why a specific Event Start Date configuration was chosen.

Additional Resources for GoHighLevel Users

For deeper technical details on the Event Start Date action and other workflow settings, you can review the official GoHighLevel documentation here: Workflow Action: Set Event Start Date.

If you need strategic help designing scalable automation systems or integrating GoHighLevel with your broader marketing stack, you can explore consulting and implementation services at Consultevo.

By configuring the Event Start Date action correctly, you ensure that every date-based process in your GoHighLevel workflows runs on time, in sequence, and with full reliability.

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