Feature Request: Add Future Date Limits for Events

Category: Events Module / Admin Settings

Currently, users can create events with dates several years into the future. This can lead to unrealistic event listings, outdated information, and businesses using the Events module to promote their services instead of creating genuine events.

I would like to suggest adding an administrator-configurable Future Date Limit to control how far in advance users can schedule events.

Suggested improvement:

Add a setting in the Events module that allows administrators to select the maximum period into the future for event dates.

For example:

3 months
6 months
12 months
24 months
Unlimited
Custom number of months

How it would work:

Users can only select event dates within the permitted future period.
The maximum permitted date automatically moves forward each day.
Users entering dates beyond the limit receive a clear validation message.
Administrators can override the restriction for legitimate events.
Recurring events should be handled separately to accommodate genuine recurring activities.

Why this would be useful:

One issue with directory Events modules is that some businesses create events simply to advertise their business, products, or services.

For example, a business might create an event with a start date today and an end date several years into the future, effectively turning an event listing into a permanent business advertisement.

This undermines the purpose of the Events module, which should primarily showcase genuine events with meaningful dates.

Introducing Future Date Limits would help:

Prevent events from being scheduled years into the future.
Discourage businesses from using event listings as permanent advertisements.
Reduce incorrect or misleading event information.
Improve the quality and relevance of event search results.
Keep the Events module focused on genuine upcoming activities.

Additional suggestion:

Consider allowing administrators to set a Maximum Event Duration as well, such as 7, 30, 90 days, or a custom period.

This would prevent users from creating an event that starts today but continues for several years, even when the start date is within the permitted future date limit.

Together, these two settings would give administrators much better control over event quality without unnecessarily restricting legitimate event organisers.

Regards

Aaron