A Fast, Lightweight, and Feature-Packed Plugin for Your Event Management Needs

TL; DR: The internet has transformed the event experience, making it more accessible. Today, we have online booking systems, virtual events, and even digital invitations. That’s because we have more tools at our disposal. And one of those tools is the Modern Events Calendar (MEC) plugin by Webnus. MEC not only helps event planners manage events and design their web displays, but it also allows them to analyze their bookings and integrate with tools they love. We spoke with Hakan Turan, Chief Marketing Officer at Webnus, about MEC and Webnus’s other digital products.

I’m no professional event planner unless I can count that one class I took on event planning in college. However, not too long ago, I was entrusted to plan and host a baby shower for my sister. My to-do list was jam-packed with tasks and errands ranging from managing guest lists to setting up decor.

After five hours of setting tables, greeting guests, and opening gifts, the event was finally done, and so was I. The baby shower was a success. And I can officially say that is probably the last time I will do something like that alone.

Event planning may not be my strongest suit. And I may not have the nerves of steel to carry out successful events around the clock. But what I do have is insight into how event planners can take their operations online and get the digital help they need for their busy schedules.

You may be familiar with plugins if you have a WordPress site. Well, if you’re looking for one to help you with your event management, Webnus has a solution for just that. It’s called the Modern Events Calendar (MEC).

“MEC is feature-rich, offering tools like booking systems, social sharing, countdowns, and integrations with popular platforms. These features, combined with its adaptability, make it a go-to solution for event management,” said Hakan Turan, Chief Marketing Officer at Webnus.

Its software provides an easy-to-use platform to create web layouts for events, streamline bookings and RSVPs, and manage seating charts, among other things. Webnus also offers other services, including site speed optimization and WordPress maintenance.

Although Webnus specializes in event management tools, it had a much different beginning that had little to do with events and even plugins. Always a WordPress-dedicated group, the passionate team of PHP developers started its web journey by creating WordPress themes in 2013.

Some of its most popular themes included Happy Pets, Easyweb, Michigan, Risotto, and Hotella, among others. “These themes were well-received, leading us to compile all of them in a comprehensive package called Deep Theme,” said Hakan.

After achieving success with its Deep Theme, the Webnus team decided that the next step was to expand its product catalog, which brings us to the plugin part of the Webnus journey. Webnus developed the tools, Deeper Comments and Modern Events Calendar, not too long after.

Hakan told us Webnus launched its complete product collection on platforms, including Envato’s Themeforest and Codecanyon. Webnus took another huge step forward with its business when it transitioned from these platforms and created its own digital storefront.

“To have greater control and provide a better purchasing and support experience, we transitioned to selling them exclusively through our website, all the while maintaining an active presence on WordPress.org,” said Hakan.

But Webnus wasn’t done evolving. After some considerations, the team decided to solely focus on its MEC plugin due to its enormous growth.

“While Deeper Comments and the Deep Theme remain valuable products in our portfolio, our primary focus has shifted to the Modern Events Calendar (MEC) and its extensive range of 30+ addons,” said Hakan.

Its event management software has now expanded to accommodate various needs, including ticketing, virtual events, and customizable forms, in addition to its primary function, scheduling.

Webnus’s Modern Events Calendar has grown immensely since its launch. Today, it has more than 250,000 active installations across its free and premium versions.

Before leaving WordPress.org, MEC boasted 100,000-plus active installations of its Lite version on the platform, showcasing its popularity and effectiveness.

It’s no surprise that users are drawn to MEC for their event management needs. Its well-rounded capabilities and smooth design have made booking and scheduling, among other tasks, easier for both event planners and attendees.

Its robust set of features includes:

• A wide range of customizable and uniquely beautiful layouts.
• Optimized performance for both frontend and backend.
• Lightweight design to ensure fast load times.
• Ability to create single-day, multiday events
• Live 24/7 support for all users, with premium support for Pro customers.

MEC is also designed for maximum flexibility, catering to various niches and businesses. For example, you can choose from 50-plus display layouts to match your website or event design. So whether you’re planning a yoga meetup at the park or a virtual work conference, you can find the design elements needed to define your event and represent your brand.

Don’t worry, MEC’s flexibility doesn’t stop there. For those who manage virtual events, you can leverage the plugin’s many third-party integrations, including Zoom, Webex, Google Calendar, and Mailchimp.

You can also choose from a variety of add-ons. Each add-on package tackles a different area of event management, from RSVPs and seating charts to booking reports and payments. Its advanced location features allow you to show where your event is taking place on a map.

Of course, every event manager knows you can’t forget the budget. Webnus offers competitive pricing for MEC. You can either choose its free version MEC Lite or its Pro version, which is $99 a year.

Webnus also offers MEC’s add-ons at an additional cost. This way, you can personalize the solution to your needs and only pay for what you want.

MEC is a complete event management solution that allows you to bring your events to life, whether virtually or in-person. And its flexible and easy-to-use platform makes managing events of all sizes more seamless.

Having a partner in anything can make life much easier. Thankfully, MEC can be that digital partner for event planners, helping them through their busy schedules. The Webnus team works hard to make sure MEC meets its customer standards. In fact, Hakan told us that the Webnus development road map is customer-centric.

“Feedback is gathered from multiple channels, including support tickets, feature requests, and our custom development services. This allows us to prioritize the most requested and impactful updates,” said Hakan.

The Webnus team prioritizes the most requested updates and is currently working on the following projects:

• RestfulAPI: This upcoming feature will enable advanced customizations, white labeling, and integration possibilities for developers.
• Improved Accessibility: This development will include additional documentation, tutorials (including YouTube videos), and the improvement of the overall ease of use for MEC’s interface.
• Community Growth: Webnus seeks to expand its presence on social media and create a larger, engaged community of MEC users.

The Webnus team also looks to the WordPress community to ensure its tools stay agile within the ever-evolving WordPress ecosystem.

“A part of our marketing team actively tracks the latest industry trends, ensuring our offerings align with user expectations and that we are taking advantage of the most recent developments in the fast-paced tech space,” said Hakan.

Webnus also collaborates closely with industry professionals such as Verdi Heinz (Elementor), Sujay Pawar (Brainstorm Force), and Syed Balkhi (WPBeginner). These partnerships and conversations enable Webnus to refine its products and keep pace with WordPress innovations.

To wrap up, we asked Hakan about his thoughts on the future of WordPress plugins and themes. He believes their future lies in adaptability, performance, and community-driven innovation. The demand for fast, lightweight, feature-packed tools will continue to grow among WordPress users as they look for solutions to cater to their diverse needs.

As for MEC, its vision is to make MEC the most comprehensive all-in-one event management solution out there.

“For MEC, we aim to lead in this space by continually enhancing its capabilities and creating a vibrant user community. We’re committed to listening to our users and staying ahead of industry trends, ensuring that our products meet the demands of tomorrow,” said Hakan.