[amasoean]

If the event planner is a single centralized global entity, then the end-user features are less significant, that is correct - well aside from no one being able to take down the data and it being open source. If you are talking about everyone hosting their own, then this is incorrect - even if you think they could be federated "discovery" of new groups and members is practically impossible when a new server is added. There is a significant advantage of having a global registry, when it comes to discovery.

[mehhh]

It sounds like you've never used a federated platform. Discoverability and searchability is not the showstopper you think it is.