diff --git a/app/helpers/events_helper.rb b/app/helpers/events_helper.rb
index 019fef99..3d6e70c4 100644
--- a/app/helpers/events_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/events_helper.rb
@@ -54,4 +54,133 @@ module EventsHelper
   def rating_tooltip(event, max_rating)
     "#{event.average_rating}/#{max_rating}, #{pluralize(event.voters.length, 'vote')}"
   end
+
+  def event_type_dropdown(event, event_types, conference_id)
+    selection = event.event_type.try(:title) || 'Event Type'
+    options = event_types.collect do |event_type|
+      [
+        event_type.title,
+        admin_conference_program_event_path(
+          conference_id,
+          event,
+          event: { event_type_id: event_type.id }
+        )
+      ]
+    end
+    active_dropdown(selection, options)
+  end
+
+  def track_dropdown(event, tracks, conference_id)
+    selection = event.track.try(:name) || 'Track'
+    options = tracks.collect do |track|
+      [
+        track.name,
+        admin_conference_program_event_path(
+          conference_id,
+          event,
+          event: { track_id: track.id }
+        )
+      ]
+    end
+    active_dropdown(selection, options)
+  end
+
+  def difficulty_dropdown(event, difficulties, conference_id)
+    selection = event.difficulty_level.try(:title) || 'Difficulty'
+    options = difficulties.collect do |difficulty|
+      [
+        difficulty.title,
+        admin_conference_program_event_path(
+          conference_id,
+          event,
+          event: { difficulty_level_id: difficulty.id }
+        )
+      ]
+    end
+    active_dropdown(selection, options)
+  end
+
+  def state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+    selection = event.state.humanize
+    options = []
+    if event.transition_possible? :accept
+      options << [
+        'Accept',
+        accept_admin_conference_program_event_path(conference_id, event)
+      ]
+      if email_settings.send_on_accepted?
+        options << [
+          'Accept (without email)',
+          accept_admin_conference_program_event_path(
+            conference_id,
+            event,
+            send_mail: false
+          )
+        ]
+      end
+    end
+    if event.transition_possible? :reject
+      options << [
+        'Reject',
+        reject_admin_conference_program_event_path(conference_id, event)
+      ]
+      if email_settings.send_on_rejected?
+        options << [
+          'Reject (without email)',
+          reject_admin_conference_program_event_path(
+            conference_id,
+            event,
+            send_mail: false
+          )
+        ]
+      end
+    end
+    if event.transition_possible? :restart
+      options << [
+        'Start review',
+        restart_admin_conference_program_event_path(conference_id, event)
+      ]
+    end
+    if event.transition_possible? :confirm
+      options << [
+        'Confirm',
+        confirm_admin_conference_program_event_path(conference_id, event)
+      ]
+    end
+    if event.transition_possible? :cancel
+      options << [
+        'Cancel',
+        cancel_admin_conference_program_event_path(conference_id, event)
+      ]
+    end
+    active_dropdown(selection, options)
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def active_dropdown(selection, options)
+    # Consistent rendering of dropdown lists that submit patched changes
+    #
+    # Selection is the string to show by default, which is clicked to expose the
+    # dropdown options.
+    # Options is a list of 2-item lists; for each entry:
+    # * [0] is the text of the option,
+    # * [1] is the link url for the options
+    content_tag('div', class: 'dropdown') do
+      content_tag(
+        'a',
+        class: 'dropdown-toggle',
+        href:  '#',
+        data:  { toggle: 'dropdown' }
+      ) do
+        content_tag('span', selection) +
+          content_tag('span', '', class: 'caret')
+      end +
+        content_tag('ul', class: 'dropdown-menu') do
+          options.collect do |option|
+            content_tag('li', link_to(option[0], option[1], method: :patch))
+          end.join.html_safe
+        end
+    end
+  end
 end
diff --git a/app/views/admin/events/_change_state_dropdown.html.haml b/app/views/admin/events/_change_state_dropdown.html.haml
deleted file mode 100644
index f8dde305..00000000
--- a/app/views/admin/events/_change_state_dropdown.html.haml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,37 +0,0 @@
-- if event.transition_possible? :accept
-  %li= link_to 'Accept event',
-  accept_admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title, event),
-  method: :patch, id: "accept_event_#{event.id}"
-
-  - if @conference.email_settings.send_on_accepted?
-    %li= link_to 'Accept event (without email)',
-    accept_admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title, event, send_mail: false),
-    method: :patch, hint: 'Accept this event without sending an automated email.',
-    id: "accept_event_without_mail_#{event.id}"
-
-- if event.transition_possible? :reject
-  %li= link_to 'Reject event',
-  reject_admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title, event),
-  method: :patch, confirm: 'Are you sure?', id: "reject_event_#{event.id}"
-
-  - if @conference.email_settings.send_on_rejected?
-    %li= link_to 'Reject event (without email)',
-    reject_admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title, event, send_mail: false),
-    method: :patch, confirm: 'Are you sure?', id: "reject_event_without_mail_#{event.id}"
-
-- if event.transition_possible? :restart
-  %li= link_to 'Start review',
-  restart_admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title, event),
-  method: :patch, id: "restart_event_#{event.id}"
-
-- if event.transition_possible? :confirm
-  %li= link_to 'Confirm event',
-  confirm_admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title, event),
-  method: :patch, id: "confirm_event_#{event.id}",
-  hint: 'Confirm that the speaker(s) will be present and that the event will actually take place.'
-
-- if event.transition_possible? :cancel
-  %li= link_to 'Cancel event',
-  cancel_admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title, event),
-  method: :patch, id: "cancel_event_#{event.id}",
-  hint: 'Mark this event as cancelled. Usually this means that the speakers had to cancel their appearance.'
diff --git a/app/views/admin/events/_proposal.html.haml b/app/views/admin/events/_proposal.html.haml
index 4ae1676f..78d6ee02 100644
--- a/app/views/admin/events/_proposal.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/admin/events/_proposal.html.haml
@@ -16,20 +16,7 @@
         %td.col-md-2
           %b Type
         %td
-          .dropdown
-            = link_to '#', class: 'dropdown-toggle', id: 'type-dropdown', 'data-toggle' => 'dropdown' do
-              - if @event.event_type.nil?
-                Event Type
-              - else
-                = @event.event_type.title
-              <b class='caret'></b>
-            %ul.dropdown-menu
-              - @event_types.each do |type|
-                %li= link_to type.title,
-                admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title,
-                                            @event,
-                                            event: { event_type_id: type.id }),
-                method: :patch
+          = event_type_dropdown(@event, @event_types, @conference.short_title)
       %tr
         %td
           %b Highlight
@@ -45,47 +32,17 @@
         %td
           %b State
         %td
-          .dropdown
-            = link_to '#', class: 'dropdown-toggle', 'data-toggle' => 'dropdown' do
-              = @event.state.humanize
-              <b class='caret'></b>
-            %ul.dropdown-menu
-              = render 'change_state_dropdown', event: @event
+          = state_dropdown(@event, @conference.short_title, @conference.email_settings)
       %tr
         %td
           %b Track
         %td
-          .dropdown
-            = link_to '#', class: 'dropdown-toggle', id: 'track-dropdown', 'data-toggle' => 'dropdown' do
-              - if @event.track.nil?
-                Track
-              - else
-                = @event.track.name
-              <b class="caret"></b>
-            %ul.dropdown-menu
-              - @tracks.each do |track|
-                %li= link_to track.name,
-                admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title,
-                                            @event,
-                                            event: { track_id: track.id }),
-                method: :patch
+          = track_dropdown(@event, @tracks, @conference.short_title)
       %tr
         %td
           %b Difficulty
         %td
-          .dropdown
-            = link_to '#', class: 'dropdown-toggle', id: 'difficulty-dropdown', 'data-toggle' => 'dropdown' do
-              - if @event.difficulty_level.nil?
-                Difficulty Level
-              - else
-                = @event.difficulty_level.title
-              <b class="caret"></b>
-            %ul.dropdown-menu
-              - @difficulty_levels.each do |difficulty|
-                %li= link_to difficulty.title, admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title,
-                                            @event,
-                                            event: { difficulty_level_id: difficulty.id }),
-                method: :patch
+          = difficulty_dropdown(@event, @difficulty_levels, @conference.short_title)
       %tr
         %td
           %b Requires Registration
diff --git a/app/views/admin/events/index.html.haml b/app/views/admin/events/index.html.haml
index 304bc726..ce77a709 100644
--- a/app/views/admin/events/index.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/admin/events/index.html.haml
@@ -152,57 +152,12 @@
                                                   off_text: 'No' }
 
             %td
-              .btn-group
-                %button{ type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-link dropdown-toggle', 'data-toggle' => 'dropdown' }
-                  - if event.event_type.nil?
-                    Event Type
-                  - else
-                    = event.event_type.title
-                  %span.caret
-                %ul.dropdown-menu
-                  - @event_types.each do |type|
-                    %li= link_to type.title,
-                    admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title,
-                                                event,
-                                                event: { event_type_id: type.id }),
-                    method: :patch
+              = event_type_dropdown(event, @event_types, @conference.short_title)
             %td
-              .btn-group
-                %button{ type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-link dropdown-toggle', 'data-toggle' => 'dropdown' }
-                  - if event.track.nil?
-                    Track
-                  - else
-                    = event.track.name
-                  %span.caret
-                %ul.dropdown-menu
-                  - @tracks.each do |track|
-                    %li= link_to track.name,
-                    admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title,
-                                                event,
-                                                event: { track_id: track.id }),
-                    method: :patch
+              = track_dropdown(event, @tracks, @conference.short_title)
             %td
-              .btn-group
-                %button{ type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-link dropdown-toggle', 'data-toggle' => 'dropdown' }
-                  - if event.difficulty_level.nil?
-                    Difficulty
-                  - else
-                    = event.difficulty_level.title
-                  %span.caret
-                %ul.dropdown-menu
-                  - @difficulty_levels.each do |difficulty_level|
-                    %li= link_to difficulty_level.title,
-                    admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title,
-                                                event,
-                                                event: { difficulty_level_id: difficulty_level.id }),
-                    method: :patch
-
+              = difficulty_dropdown(event, @difficulty_levels, @conference.short_title)
             %td
-              .btn-group
-                %button{ type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-link dropdown-toggle', 'data-toggle' => 'dropdown' }
-                  = event.state.humanize
-                  %span.caret
-                %ul.dropdown-menu{ role: 'menu' }
-                  = render 'change_state_dropdown', event: event
+              = state_dropdown(event, @conference.short_title, @conference.email_settings)
             %td.text-center
               = link_to "#{event.comments_count}", admin_conference_program_event_path(@conference.short_title, event), anchor: 'comments-div'
diff --git a/spec/features/proposals_spec.rb b/spec/features/proposals_spec.rb
index 9dda06bf..bef01e43 100644
--- a/spec/features/proposals_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/features/proposals_spec.rb
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ feature Event do
       visit admin_conference_program_events_path(conference.short_title)
       expect(page).to have_content 'Example Proposal'
 
-      click_button 'New'
-      click_link "reject_event_#{@event.id}"
+      click_on 'New'
+      click_link 'Reject'
       expect(page).to have_content 'Event rejected!'
       @event.reload
       expect(@event.state).to eq('rejected')
@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@ feature Event do
       visit admin_conference_program_events_path(conference.short_title)
       expect(page).to have_content 'Example Proposal'
 
-      click_button 'New'
-      click_link "accept_event_#{@event.id}"
+      click_on 'New'
+      click_link 'Accept'
       expect(page).to have_content 'Event accepted!'
       expect(page).to have_content 'Unconfirmed'
       @event.reload
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ feature Event do
       visit admin_conference_program_events_path(conference.short_title)
       expect(page).to have_content 'Example Proposal'
 
-      click_button 'Rejected'
-      click_link "restart_event_#{@event.id}"
+      click_on 'Rejected'
+      click_link 'Start review'
       expect(page).to have_content 'Review started!'
       @event.reload
       expect(@event.state).to eq('new')
diff --git a/spec/features/versions_spec.rb b/spec/features/versions_spec.rb
index 62536019..2f71d519 100644
--- a/spec/features/versions_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/features/versions_spec.rb
@@ -189,8 +189,8 @@ feature 'Version' do
     click_button 'Update Proposal'
 
     visit admin_conference_program_events_path(conference.short_title)
-    click_button 'New'
-    click_link 'Reject event'
+    click_on 'New'
+    click_link 'Reject'
 
     visit conference_program_proposals_path(conference_id: conference.short_title)
     within('#events') do
@@ -198,15 +198,15 @@ feature 'Version' do
     end
 
     visit admin_conference_program_events_path(conference.short_title)
-    click_button 'New'
-    click_link 'Accept event'
+    click_on 'New'
+    click_link 'Accept'
 
     visit conference_program_proposals_path(conference_id: conference.short_title)
     click_link 'Confirm'
 
     visit admin_conference_program_events_path(conference.short_title)
-    click_button 'Confirmed'
-    click_link 'Cancel event'
+    click_on 'Confirmed'
+    click_link 'Cancel'
 
     visit admin_revision_history_path
     expect(page).to have_text("#{organizer.name} submitted new event ABC in conference #{conference.short_title}")
diff --git a/spec/helpers/events_helper_spec.rb b/spec/helpers/events_helper_spec.rb
index 99f6d8e3..baefebbc 100644
--- a/spec/helpers/events_helper_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/helpers/events_helper_spec.rb
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ require 'spec_helper'
 
 describe EventsHelper, type: :helper do
   let(:conference) { create(:conference) }
-  let(:event) { create(:event, program: conference.program) }
+  let(:event) { create(:event_full, program: conference.program) }
   let(:my_vote) { 3 }
   let(:max_rating) { 5 }
   let(:fraction) { my_vote.to_s + '/' + max_rating.to_s }
@@ -56,4 +56,224 @@ describe EventsHelper, type: :helper do
       end
     end
   end
+
+  describe '#event_switch_checkbox' do
+    let(:result) do
+      event_switch_checkbox(event, :is_highlight, conference.short_title)
+    end
+
+    it 'should build a switch checkbox' do
+      expect(result).to include(
+        '<input type="checkbox"',
+        'class="switch-checkbox"'
+      )
+    end
+
+    it 'should patch to the admin event url' do
+      expect(result).to include(
+        'method="patch"',
+        "url=\"/admin/conferences/#{conference.short_title}/program" \
+          "/events/#{event.id}?event%5Bis_highlight%5D=\""
+      )
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe '#event_type_dropdown' do
+    let(:event_types) do
+      [
+        event.event_type,
+        create(:event_type, title: 'foo'),
+        create(:event_type, title: 'bar')
+      ]
+    end
+    let(:result) do
+      event_type_dropdown(event, event_types, conference.short_title)
+    end
+
+    it 'builds a bootstrap dropdown list of event types' do
+      expect(result).to include(
+        '<div class="dropdown">' \
+        '<a class="dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown">' \
+        "<span>#{h event.event_type.title}</span><span class=\"caret\"></span>" \
+        '</a><ul class="dropdown-menu">'
+      )
+      event_types.each do |event_type|
+        expect(result).to include(
+          '<li><a rel="nofollow" data-method="patch" ' \
+          "href=\"/admin/conferences/#{conference.short_title}/program/" \
+          "events/#{event.id}?event%5Bevent_type_id%5D=#{event_type.id}\">" \
+          "#{h event_type.title}</a></li>"
+        )
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe '#track_dropdown' do
+    let(:tracks) do
+      [
+        event.track,
+        create(:track, name: 'foo'),
+        create(:track, name: 'bar')
+      ]
+    end
+    let(:result) do
+      track_dropdown(event, tracks, conference.short_title)
+    end
+
+    it 'builds a bootstrap dropdown list of tracks' do
+      expect(result).to include(
+        '<div class="dropdown">' \
+        '<a class="dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown">' \
+        "<span>#{h event.track.name}</span><span class=\"caret\"></span>" \
+        '</a><ul class="dropdown-menu">'
+      )
+      tracks.each do |track|
+        expect(result).to include(
+          '<li><a rel="nofollow" data-method="patch" ' \
+          "href=\"/admin/conferences/#{conference.short_title}/program/" \
+          "events/#{event.id}?event%5Btrack_id%5D=#{track.id}\">" \
+          "#{h track.name}</a></li>"
+        )
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe '#difficulty_dropdown' do
+    let(:difficulties) do
+      [
+        event.difficulty_level,
+        create(:difficulty_level, title: 'foo'),
+        create(:difficulty_level, title: 'bar')
+      ]
+    end
+    let(:result) do
+      difficulty_dropdown(event, difficulties, conference.short_title)
+    end
+
+    it 'builds a bootstrap dropdown list of difficulty levels' do
+      expect(result).to include(
+        '<div class="dropdown">' \
+        '<a class="dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown">' \
+        "<span>#{h event.difficulty_level.title}</span>" \
+        '<span class="caret"></span>' \
+        '</a><ul class="dropdown-menu">'
+      )
+      difficulties.each do |difficulty|
+        expect(result).to include(
+          '<li><a rel="nofollow" data-method="patch" ' \
+          "href=\"/admin/conferences/#{conference.short_title}/program/" \
+          "events/#{event.id}?event%5Bdifficulty_level_id%5D=#{difficulty.id}\">" \
+          "#{h difficulty.title}</a></li>"
+        )
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe '#state_dropdown' do
+    let(:conference_id) { conference.short_title }
+    let(:email_settings) { conference.email_settings }
+
+    setup do
+      allow(event).to receive(:transition_possible?).at_least(:once) { false }
+    end
+
+    it 'builds a bootstrap dropdown list of event states' do
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).to include(
+        '<div class="dropdown">' \
+        '<a class="dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown">' \
+        "<span>#{h event.state.humanize}</span><span class=\"caret\"></span>" \
+        '</a><ul class="dropdown-menu">'
+      )
+    end
+
+    it 'handles the accept transition' do
+      tag = '<li><a rel="nofollow" data-method="patch" ' \
+        "href=\"/admin/conferences/#{conference_id}/program/" \
+        "events/#{event.id}/accept\">" \
+        'Accept</a></li>'
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).not_to include(tag)
+
+      expect(event).to receive(:transition_possible?).with(:accept) { true }
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).to include(tag)
+    end
+
+    it 'handles the accept transition without email' do
+      expect(event).to receive(:transition_possible?).with(:accept) { true }
+      expect(email_settings).to receive(:send_on_accepted?) { true }
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).to include(
+        '<li><a rel="nofollow" data-method="patch" ' \
+        "href=\"/admin/conferences/#{conference_id}/program/" \
+        "events/#{event.id}/accept?send_mail=false\">" \
+        'Accept (without email)</a></li>'
+      )
+    end
+
+    it 'handles the reject transition' do
+      tag = '<li><a rel="nofollow" data-method="patch" ' \
+        "href=\"/admin/conferences/#{conference_id}/program/" \
+        "events/#{event.id}/reject\">" \
+        'Reject</a></li>'
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).not_to include(tag)
+
+      expect(event).to receive(:transition_possible?).with(:reject) { true }
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).to include(tag)
+    end
+
+    it 'handles the reject transition without email' do
+      expect(event).to receive(:transition_possible?).with(:reject) { true }
+      expect(email_settings).to receive(:send_on_rejected?) { true }
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).to include(
+        '<li><a rel="nofollow" data-method="patch" ' \
+        "href=\"/admin/conferences/#{conference_id}/program/" \
+        "events/#{event.id}/reject?send_mail=false\">" \
+        'Reject (without email)</a></li>'
+      )
+    end
+
+    it 'handles the restart transition' do
+      tag = '<li><a rel="nofollow" data-method="patch" ' \
+        "href=\"/admin/conferences/#{conference_id}/program/" \
+        "events/#{event.id}/restart\">" \
+        'Start review</a></li>'
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).not_to include(tag)
+
+      expect(event).to receive(:transition_possible?).with(:restart) { true }
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).to include(tag)
+    end
+
+    it 'handles the confirm transition' do
+      tag = '<li><a rel="nofollow" data-method="patch" ' \
+        "href=\"/admin/conferences/#{conference_id}/program/" \
+        "events/#{event.id}/confirm\">" \
+        'Confirm</a></li>'
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).not_to include(tag)
+
+      expect(event).to receive(:transition_possible?).with(:confirm) { true }
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).to include(tag)
+    end
+
+    it 'handles the cancel transition' do
+      tag = '<li><a rel="nofollow" data-method="patch" ' \
+        "href=\"/admin/conferences/#{conference_id}/program/" \
+        "events/#{event.id}/cancel\">" \
+        'Cancel</a></li>'
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).not_to include(tag)
+
+      expect(event).to receive(:transition_possible?).with(:cancel) { true }
+      result = state_dropdown(event, conference_id, email_settings)
+      expect(result).to include(tag)
+    end
+  end
 end