Multiple Calendars and rss outputs

[Barry]

I am trying to use The Events Calendar Pro and some of the add ons for a project. But I want to make sure it can do what we need before buying everything.

1. We need front end user submission for events. I see this is possible with Community Events add on. I’m incredibly disappointed that, even with over 400 requests, you haven’t added another add on to allow for charging for listing an event. This seems to be a no brainer to me. If you have developed this and I missed it, I apologize. If so, please advise where it is because I will need it. If not, I will have to consider a custom coding approach to add this to our site.
2. The purpose of this project includes the need to develop a native mobile app that is functional based on the website. The only way I can determine we can do this (cost effectively) is by being able to input the RSS feed from the calendar into the app. So, can you advise if an rss feed for the calendar is possible (not the website, just the calendar data – it will be more clear when I explain #3 below).
3. Because there are many cities we need to include in many states, the only way I can determine to make this work based on the rss feed, is to set up a calendar for each city and have a separate rss feed for that calendar of events. This either requires being able to add many calendar instals to the site, or I was thinking of doing this by just using the one install and making each city a category (since there are no other options we need for categories within each city, just the list of events). Then I can have users or submitters choose the city they want to access from the front page and redirect to the page set up with the correct calendar city (category). Does this make sense? Is this possible?

If you have any better suggestions on how to achieve these issues I would greatly appreciate your help.

Regards,
Barry

[Barry]

Hi Barry,

Thanks for getting in touch!

With regards to your first point, this is something we are actively exploring and some initial work is already underway. Right at this time, though, you would need to build it out as a customization.

To your second point, RSS feeds are indeed possible. For an example, please see our demo site:

wpshindig.com/events/feed

On to your final point, categorizing by city is certainly possible. The best solution is going to depend on a compromise between what is easiest for you and the site admins handling day-to-day operations to maintain and what you feel comfortable implementing at code level.

The approach you outlined seems workable to me. Alternatively, assigning venues to events (so long as the city and state fields have been populated) should be sufficient by itself if you use a meta query to adapt the main event query itself, though there are performance considerations worth bearing in mind when you take this approach.

Ultimately, the big takeaway for this point is that it is certainly possible and there are multiple avenues open to you – the choice of which you take is something we’d need to leave in your hands 🙂

I hope that answers your questions – but do let me know if we can help with anything else.

[Barry]

Hi Barry,

Thanks for the reply. I’m hoping you can help me understand a little further before I get started.

I’m guessing if I feel I need multiple categories for each city, it may be best to make each city its own calendar completely. So 2 questions about this.

1. Can I launch the plugin and make unlimited (within reason) calendars on one website. For example, Calendar 1 (San Francisco), Calendar 2 (Los Angeles), Calendar 3 (San Diego), etc. Then from a page I designate as “Choose Your Location” page, I will redirect the user to the Calendar page they choose. Can I then install a short code for that calendar on that page they are redirected to so they can view only that calendar (city) events?

2. If yes to #1, I still need clarification on the rss feed to make sure it will work with the app. I would need to get a feed for each calendar (city) I create – that’s how the app is set up to receive the data. So if I understand your example above and based on installing as I explained a new calendar for each city, would I then be able to have: mysite.com/events/san-francisco/feed, mysite.com/events/los-angeles/feed, mysite.com/events/san-diego/feed, etc.?

And finally, as far as paid event listings, is there any realistic ETA on this? I can probably launch without it and add it later. I am still 6 months from launching anyway so I can wait a bit. But based on the 2+ years of requests for this feature and it not happening yet, I’m trying to understand if this is a real feature being developed or just being considered.

Thanks again and I’m looking forward to your replies.

Regards,
Barry

[Barry]

Hi there!

1. Can I launch the plugin and make unlimited (within reason) calendars on one website.

Essentially, yes – simply by using categories (and there is no particular limit to the number of categories you can apply).

Users viewing the calendar for a particular category will not be able to see events in other categories, unless of course they are categorized under multiple labels.

2. If yes to #1, I still need clarification on the rss feed to make sure it will work with the app … mysite.com/events/san-francisco/feed, mysite.com/events/los-angeles/feed, mysite.com/events/san-diego/feed, etc.?

The exact URLs will not take quite that form, at least not by default – it would be more like …/events/category/city-name/feed/ – but yes, that should be workable (again, that’s if you use categories for this task).

And finally, as far as paid event listings, is there any realistic ETA on this?

As a general rule we do not offer ETAs for unreleased plugins, I’m afraid. Though we’re certainly serious about it we simply cannot offer a cast-iron guarantee that it will be available within the next six months.

I hope that answers your questions (and remember also that you can experience and test a lot of the functionality you have been asking about by obtaining a copy of our free, core plugin from its homepage on wordpress.org) 🙂

[Barry]

Hi!

It’s been a while so I’m going to go ahead and close this topic.

• Need help with anything else? Go right ahead and post a new topic, one of the team will be only too happy to help
• Still need help with this issue and need to re-open it? Again, please simply create a new topic and link to this one to provide the team with some context

Thanks!

[Author]

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