It looks like you have to pay "to have more than 250 entries [I don't know what's typical], to sign up for web page creation options, and to receive technical support".
And here they ask for credit card details over http...
Typical is often larger than 250, and not having things like heat lists up online before the event would make people think you are not running things seriously, whether your event is over 250 or not. I hadn't looked at this web site, and haven't personally used the product. If this website is at all indicative of the user friendliness and modernity of the product itself, I can see why the event organizers complain.