The problem with Facebook events is that they don’t make it onto real calendars, presenting two issues:

1. Events can be easily forgotten.
2. People don’t feel committed to an event, even after digitally replying, “attending.”

By volunteering in the non-profit world, I quickly discovered that people don’t actually feel invited to an event (or obliged to attend) until they have been personally invited. Facebook doesn’t create that personal connection, especially when it appears that the invitee has send the event announcement to every single person on their friend list.

Another issue with digital events in general is that it gives people the opportunity to wait before responding, in order to see who else will confirm attendance. I believe it’s very true that using a crowd to attract a bigger crowd to any event – works. If you get a low response to your event on Facebook, people may start to believe the event won’t be worth attending.

While I don’t have an answer as to how Facebook events can solve all its problems, I suggest they start by adding an ‘export to calendar’ feature.