diff --git a/agenda/add_new_conference.py b/agenda/add_new_conference.py
index 71c12ce..e46df3c 100644
--- a/agenda/add_new_conference.py
+++ b/agenda/add_new_conference.py
@@ -16,8 +16,6 @@ import pycountry
 import requests
 import yaml
 
-from agenda.conference import conference_date_fields
-
 USER_AGENT = "add-new-conference/0.1"
 COORDINATE_PATTERNS = (
     re.compile(r"@(-?\d+(?:\.\d+)?),(-?\d+(?:\.\d+)?)"),
@@ -162,9 +160,7 @@ def webpage_to_text(root: lxml.html.HtmlElement) -> str:
     text_maker = html2text.HTML2Text()
     text_maker.ignore_links = True
     text_maker.ignore_images = True
-    return typing.cast(
-        str, text_maker.handle(lxml.html.tostring(root_copy, encoding="unicode"))
-    )
+    return text_maker.handle(lxml.html.tostring(root_copy, encoding="unicode"))
 
 
 def parse_osm_url(url: str) -> tuple[float, float] | None:
@@ -271,13 +267,13 @@ def insert_sorted(
 ) -> list[dict[str, typing.Any]]:
     """Insert a conference sorted by start date and skip duplicate URLs."""
     new_url = new_conf.get("url")
-    new_start = conference_sort_datetime(new_conf)
+    new_start = parse_date(str(new_conf["start"]))
     new_year = new_start.year
 
     if new_url:
         for conf in conferences:
             if conf.get("url") == new_url:
-                existing_start = conference_sort_datetime(conf)
+                existing_start = parse_date(str(conf["start"]))
                 existing_year = existing_start.year
 
                 if url_has_year_component(new_url):
@@ -291,7 +287,7 @@ def insert_sorted(
                     return conferences
 
     for idx, conf in enumerate(conferences):
-        existing_start = conference_sort_datetime(conf)
+        existing_start = parse_date(str(conf["start"]))
         if new_start < existing_start:
             conferences.insert(idx, new_conf)
             return conferences
@@ -299,14 +295,6 @@ def insert_sorted(
     return conferences
 
 
-def conference_sort_datetime(conf: dict[str, typing.Any]) -> datetime:
-    """Return conference sort date as a datetime."""
-    sort_date = conference_date_fields(conf)["sort_date"]
-    if isinstance(sort_date, datetime):
-        return sort_date
-    return datetime.combine(sort_date, time())
-
-
 def validate_country(conf: dict[str, typing.Any]) -> None:
     """Ensure country is a valid ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code, normalise if possible."""
     country = conf.get("country")
@@ -389,11 +377,7 @@ def maybe_extract_explicit_end_time(source_text: str) -> int | None:
 
 def normalise_end_field(new_conf: dict[str, typing.Any], source_text: str) -> None:
     """Ensure an end value exists, with a Geomob-specific fallback."""
-    dates = new_conf.get("dates")
-    nested_dates = dates if isinstance(dates, dict) else None
-    start_value = (
-        nested_dates.get("start") if nested_dates is not None else new_conf.get("start")
-    )
+    start_value = new_conf.get("start")
     if start_value is None:
         return
 
@@ -411,16 +395,9 @@ def normalise_end_field(new_conf: dict[str, typing.Any], source_text: str) -> No
             end_hour = 22
 
         geomob_end = start_dt.replace(hour=end_hour, minute=0, second=0, microsecond=0)
-        end_value = same_type_as_start(start_value, geomob_end, prefer_datetime=True)
-        if nested_dates is not None:
-            nested_dates["end"] = end_value
-        else:
-            new_conf["end"] = end_value
-        return
-
-    if nested_dates is not None:
-        if "end" not in nested_dates:
-            nested_dates["end"] = same_type_as_start(start_value, start_dt)
+        new_conf["end"] = same_type_as_start(
+            start_value, geomob_end, prefer_datetime=True
+        )
         return
 
     if "end" not in new_conf:
diff --git a/agenda/conference.py b/agenda/conference.py
index f9e15b4..642f792 100644
--- a/agenda/conference.py
+++ b/agenda/conference.py
@@ -2,18 +2,14 @@
 
 import dataclasses
 import decimal
-import typing
 from datetime import date, datetime
 
 import yaml
 
 from . import utils
 from .event import Event
-from .types import DateOrDateTime, StrDict
 
 MAX_CONF_DAYS = 20
-DATE_STATUSES = {"exact", "approximate", "tentative"}
-DATED_STATUSES = {"exact", "tentative"}
 
 
 @dataclasses.dataclass
@@ -23,8 +19,8 @@ class Conference:
     name: str
     topic: str
     location: str
-    start: date | datetime | None = None
-    end: date | datetime | None = None
+    start: date | datetime
+    end: date | datetime
     trip: date | None = None
     country: str | None = None
     venue: str | None = None
@@ -50,7 +46,6 @@ class Conference:
     attendees: int | None = None
     hashtag: str | None = None
     description: str | None = None
-    dates: StrDict | None = None
 
     @property
     def display_name(self) -> str:
@@ -62,135 +57,22 @@ class Conference:
         )
 
 
-def _date_range_label(start: date, end: date) -> str:
-    """Format conference date range for display."""
-    if start == end:
-        return start.strftime("%a %-d %b %Y")
-    if start.year == end.year and start.month == end.month:
-        return f"{start.strftime('%a %-d')}-{end.strftime('%-d %b %Y')}"
-    return f"{start.strftime('%a %-d %b')}-{end.strftime('%-d %b %Y')}"
-
-
-def _require_date_value(value: typing.Any, field_name: str) -> DateOrDateTime:
-    """Return date-like field value or raise ValueError."""
-    if isinstance(value, (date, datetime)):
-        return value
-    raise ValueError(f"conference dates field {field_name!r} must be a date/datetime")
-
-
-def _require_date_only(value: typing.Any, field_name: str) -> date:
-    """Return field value as a date or raise ValueError."""
-    return typing.cast(date, utils.as_date(_require_date_value(value, field_name)))
-
-
-def conference_date_fields(item: StrDict) -> StrDict:
-    """Return derived date fields for a conference YAML item."""
-    raw_dates = item.get("dates")
-    if raw_dates is None:
-        status = typing.cast(str, item.get("date_status", "exact"))
-        if status not in DATE_STATUSES:
-            raise ValueError(f"unknown conference date status {status!r}")
-        start = _require_date_value(item.get("start"), "start")
-        end = _require_date_value(item.get("end", start), "end")
-        start_date = utils.as_date(start)
-        end_date = utils.as_date(end)
-        return {
-            "date_status": status,
-            "start": start,
-            "end": end,
-            "start_date": start_date,
-            "end_date": end_date,
-            "sort_date": start_date,
-            "latest_date": end_date,
-            "display_date": _date_range_label(start_date, end_date),
-            "has_exact_dates": status == "exact",
-        }
-
-    if not isinstance(raw_dates, dict):
-        raise ValueError("conference dates must be a mapping")
-
-    status_value = raw_dates.get("status", "exact")
-    if not isinstance(status_value, str) or status_value not in DATE_STATUSES:
-        raise ValueError(f"unknown conference date status {status_value!r}")
-
-    if status_value in DATED_STATUSES:
-        start = _require_date_value(raw_dates.get("start", item.get("start")), "start")
-        end = _require_date_value(raw_dates.get("end", item.get("end", start)), "end")
-        start_date = utils.as_date(start)
-        end_date = utils.as_date(end)
-        label = raw_dates.get("label")
-        display_date = (
-            label if isinstance(label, str) else _date_range_label(start_date, end_date)
-        )
-        return {
-            "date_status": status_value,
-            "start": start,
-            "end": end,
-            "start_date": start_date,
-            "end_date": end_date,
-            "sort_date": start_date,
-            "latest_date": end_date,
-            "display_date": display_date,
-            "has_exact_dates": status_value == "exact",
-        }
-
-    earliest = _require_date_only(raw_dates.get("earliest"), "earliest")
-    latest = _require_date_only(raw_dates.get("latest"), "latest")
-    label = raw_dates.get("label")
-    display_date = (
-        label if isinstance(label, str) else _date_range_label(earliest, latest)
-    )
-    return {
-        "date_status": status_value,
-        "start_date": earliest,
-        "end_date": latest,
-        "sort_date": earliest,
-        "latest_date": latest,
-        "display_date": display_date,
-        "has_exact_dates": False,
-    }
-
-
-def validate_conference_date_fields(item: StrDict) -> StrDict:
-    """Validate conference date fields and return derived values."""
-    fields = conference_date_fields(item)
-    if fields["start_date"] > fields["end_date"]:
-        raise ValueError("conference ends before it starts")
-
-    if fields["date_status"] in DATED_STATUSES:
-        duration = (fields["end_date"] - fields["start_date"]).days
-        if duration >= MAX_CONF_DAYS:
-            raise ValueError(
-                f"conference is {duration} days; maximum is {MAX_CONF_DAYS - 1}"
-            )
-    return fields
-
-
 def get_list(filepath: str) -> list[Event]:
     """Read conferences from a YAML file and return a list of Event objects."""
     events: list[Event] = []
-    for item in yaml.safe_load(open(filepath, "r")):
-        try:
-            fields = validate_conference_date_fields(item)
-        except ValueError as exc:
-            raise AssertionError(str(exc)) from exc
-        normalized_item = dict(item)
-        if "start" in fields:
-            normalized_item["start"] = fields["start"]
-            normalized_item["end"] = fields["end"]
-        conf = Conference(**normalized_item)
-
-        if fields["has_exact_dates"]:
-            assert conf.start is not None and conf.end is not None
-            event = Event(
-                name="conference",
-                date=conf.start,
-                end_date=conf.end,
-                title=conf.display_name,
-                url=conf.url,
-                going=conf.going,
-            )
-            events.append(event)
+    for conf in (Conference(**conf) for conf in yaml.safe_load(open(filepath, "r"))):
+        assert conf.start <= conf.end
+        duration = (utils.as_date(conf.end) - utils.as_date(conf.start)).days
+        assert duration < MAX_CONF_DAYS
+        event = Event(
+            name="conference",
+            date=conf.start,
+            end_date=conf.end,
+            title=conf.display_name,
+            url=conf.url,
+            going=conf.going,
+        )
+        events.append(event)
         if not conf.cfp_end:
             continue
         cfp_end_event = Event(
diff --git a/docs/personal-data-yaml.md b/docs/personal-data-yaml.md
deleted file mode 100644
index a538fff..0000000
--- a/docs/personal-data-yaml.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,779 +0,0 @@
-# Personal Data YAML Formats
-
-This document describes the YAML files read from `../personal-data/`. It is intended for humans and LLMs generating new entries.
-
-## General Rules
-
-- Use YAML lists for most files. `airports.yaml` is a mapping keyed by IATA code.
-- Use ISO-like YAML dates and datetimes:
-  - Date: `2026-03-14`
-  - Datetime with timezone: `2026-03-14 09:30:00+01:00`
-- Use lowercase ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country codes, for example `gb`, `be`, `us`.
-- Use quoted strings for prices and identifiers that might otherwise be parsed as numbers: `'154.34'`, `'06525269'`, `'0042'`.
-- Currencies must be in `config.CURRENCIES` or `GBP`.
-- Travel and trip-related entries are grouped by the `trip` date. That date should match an entry in `trips.yaml` when a named trip is needed, but trip groups can also be created from travel/accommodation/conference entries.
-- Keep chronological files sorted by their natural start field. `validate_yaml.py` checks ordering for trips, flights, trains, ferries, conferences, and accommodation.
-- Coordinates are `latitude` then `longitude`, both numeric.
-
-## Cross-File References
-
-- `flights.yaml` flight `airline` values reference `airlines.yaml` `iata`.
-- `flights.yaml` flight `from` and `to` values reference `airports.yaml` keys.
-- `trains.yaml` journey and leg `from` and `to` values reference `stations.yaml` `name`.
-- `ferries.yaml` `from` and `to` values reference `ferry_terminals.yaml` `name`.
-- `buses.yaml` `from` and `to` values reference `bus_stops.yaml` `name`.
-- `coaches.yaml` `from` and `to` values reference `coach_stations.yaml` `name`.
-- Station, stop, and terminal `routes` values name GeoJSON files without the `.geojson` extension.
-
-## `accommodation.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of accommodation stays.
-
-Used by: agenda events, trip pages, trip maps, busy/location logic.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `type`: accommodation category such as `hotel`, `apartment`, `airbnb`.
-- `name`: property name.
-- `country`: lowercase country code.
-- `location`: city or place name.
-- `trip`: trip start date.
-- `from`: check-in datetime.
-- `to`: check-out datetime.
-
-Common optional fields:
-
-- Booking: `operator`, `booking_reference`, `confirmation_code`, `booking_url`, `url`, `email`, `phone`.
-- Money: `price`, `currency`, `room_rate`, `estimated_taxes`, `estimated_additional_fees`.
-- Room/stay: `address`, `room_type`, `room_name`, `room_number`, `number_of_adults`, `breakfast_included`, `breakfast`, `cancellation_policy`, `free_cancellation`, `refundable`.
-- Coordinates/IDs: `latitude`, `longitude`, `timezone`, `osm_node`, `wikidata`.
-- Loyalty: `rewards`, `radisson_rewards_number`.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- type: hotel
-  operator: Example Hotels
-  name: Example Central Hotel
-  location: Brussels
-  country: be
-  trip: 2026-02-06
-  from: 2026-02-06 15:00:00+01:00
-  to: 2026-02-09 11:00:00+01:00
-  address: 1 Example Street, Brussels
-  confirmation_code: ABC123
-  price: '312.50'
-  currency: EUR
-  number_of_adults: 1
-  room_type: Standard double
-  breakfast_included: true
-  latitude: 50.8466
-  longitude: 4.3528
-```
-
-## `airlines.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of airlines.
-
-Used by: flight loading and display.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `iata`: two-character IATA airline code.
-- `icao`: three-character ICAO airline code.
-- `name`: airline name.
-
-Optional fields:
-
-- `flight_number_prefer_icao`: boolean. When true, display flight numbers with the ICAO code instead of the IATA code.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- iata: BA
-  icao: BAW
-  name: British Airways
-- iata: U2
-  icao: EZY
-  name: easyJet
-  flight_number_prefer_icao: true
-```
-
-## `airports.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: mapping keyed by IATA airport code.
-
-Used by: flight loading, distance calculation, maps, unbooked route hints.
-
-Required fields for each airport:
-
-- `iata`: IATA code. Should match the mapping key.
-- `name`: airport name.
-- `city`: city or main served place.
-- `country`: lowercase country code.
-- `latitude`, `longitude`: numeric coordinates.
-- `qid`: Wikidata QID.
-
-Optional fields:
-
-- `alt_name`: display name override used in labels.
-- `elevation`: metres.
-- `website`, `url`.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-BRU:
-  iata: BRU
-  name: Brussels Airport
-  city: Brussels
-  country: be
-  qid: Q220613
-  latitude: 50.9014
-  longitude: 4.4844
-  elevation: 56
-  website: https://www.brusselsairport.be/
-```
-
-## `bus_stops.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of bus stops.
-
-Used by: bus trip loading, maps, route rendering.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `name`: stop name referenced by `buses.yaml`.
-- `city`: city or place.
-- `country`: lowercase country code.
-- `latitude`, `longitude`: numeric coordinates.
-- `routes`: mapping from destination stop name to GeoJSON filename without `.geojson`.
-
-Optional fields:
-
-- `Atco`: UK ATCO stop code.
-- `osm_node`.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- name: West Street
-  city: Bristol
-  country: gb
-  Atco: '0100BRA10073'
-  osm_node: 485403178
-  latitude: 51.4393854
-  longitude: -2.6017977
-  routes:
-    Bristol Airport: West_Street_to_Bristol_Airport
-```
-
-## `buses.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of bus journeys.
-
-Used by: trip loading, maps, trip timeline. Bus journeys are not counted for Schengen tracking.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `trip`: trip start date.
-- `depart`: departure datetime.
-- `arrive`: arrival datetime. `validate_yaml.py` requires arrival after departure and duration no more than 12 hours.
-- `from`, `to`: names from `bus_stops.yaml`.
-
-Optional fields:
-
-- `operator`, `price`, `currency`.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- trip: 2026-03-14
-  depart: 2026-03-14 08:20:00+00:00
-  arrive: 2026-03-14 08:55:00+00:00
-  from: West Street
-  to: Bristol Airport
-  operator: First Bus
-  price: '2.00'
-  currency: GBP
-```
-
-## `coach_stations.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of coach stations.
-
-Used by: coach trip loading, maps, route rendering.
-
-Fields are the same pattern as `bus_stops.yaml`, except entries describe coach stations.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- name: Example Coach Station
-  city: Example City
-  country: gb
-  latitude: 51.4500
-  longitude: -2.5800
-  routes:
-    Other Coach Station: example_city_to_other_city
-```
-
-## `coaches.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of coach journeys.
-
-Used by: trip loading, maps, trip timeline. Coach journeys are not counted for Schengen tracking.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `trip`, `depart`, `arrive`, `from`, `to`.
-- `from` and `to` must be names from `coach_stations.yaml`.
-
-Optional fields:
-
-- `operator`, `class`, `booking_reference`, `price`, `currency`, `price_details`.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- booking_reference: ABC123
-  trip: 2026-05-25
-  price: '55.00'
-  currency: GBP
-  depart: 2026-05-26 14:45:00+01:00
-  arrive: 2026-05-26 18:30:00+01:00
-  from: Example Coach Station
-  to: Other Coach Station
-  operator: Example Coaches
-  class: Standard
-  price_details:
-    base_fare: '55.00'
-```
-
-## `conferences.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of conferences and conference-like events.
-
-Used by: agenda events, trip pages, trip maps, conference list, CFP reminders.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `name`: event name.
-- `topic`: topic/category.
-- `location`: city or location label.
-- Date information, either as legacy top-level `start` and `end`, or preferred nested `dates`.
-
-Preferred `dates` fields:
-
-- `status`: one of `exact`, `tentative`, or `approximate`.
-- For `exact` and `tentative`: `start` and `end` dates/datetimes. `end` must be no earlier than `start`, and duration must be under 20 days.
-- For `approximate`: `earliest` and `latest` dates for sorting/past-future filtering.
-- `label`: optional human-readable date text. Recommended for `tentative` and `approximate`, for example `likely first weekend of February 2027` or `March 2027`.
-- `basis`: optional explanation of why a tentative date is expected.
-
-Date status behavior:
-
-- `exact`: confirmed dates. These create agenda events, iCalendar entries, and timeline bars.
-- `tentative`: guessed or unconfirmed exact dates. These appear on the conference list with a status badge, but do not create agenda/iCalendar events or timeline bars.
-- `approximate`: only a broad date range is known. These appear on the conference list with a status badge, but do not create agenda/iCalendar events or timeline bars.
-
-Legacy fields:
-
-- Existing top-level `start` and `end` are still supported and are treated as `exact` unless `date_status` says otherwise.
-
-Common optional fields:
-
-- Trip/location: `trip`, `country`, `venue`, `address`, `latitude`, `longitude`.
-- Attendance: `going`, `registered`, `speaking`, `online`, `accommodation_booked`, `transport_booked`.
-- Partial attendance: `attend_start`, `attend_end`. These may be dates or timezone-aware datetimes and are used on trip pages instead of official dates.
-- Web/CFP: `url`, `cfp_end`, `cfp_url`, `hashtag`, `description`.
-- Money/tickets: `free`, `price`, `currency`, `ticket_type`.
-- Other flags: `hackathon`, `attendees`.
-
-Exact example:
-
-```yaml
-- name: FOSDEM
-  topic: FOSDEM
-  location: Brussels
-  country: be
-  trip: 2026-02-06
-  dates:
-    status: exact
-    start: 2026-02-07
-    end: 2026-02-08
-  attend_start: 2026-02-07 14:00:00+01:00
-  attend_end: 2026-02-08
-  going: true
-  registered: true
-  accommodation_booked: true
-  transport_booked: true
-  url: https://fosdem.org/2026/
-  venue: Universite Libre de Bruxelles
-  address: Av. Franklin Roosevelt 50, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
-  latitude: 50.8132
-  longitude: 4.3822
-```
-
-Tentative example:
-
-```yaml
-- name: FOSDEM
-  topic: FOSDEM
-  location: Brussels
-  country: be
-  dates:
-    status: tentative
-    start: 2027-01-30
-    end: 2027-01-31
-    label: likely first weekend of February 2027
-    basis: FOSDEM is usually on the weekend where Sunday is the first Sunday in February
-  url: https://fosdem.org/2027/
-```
-
-Approximate examples:
-
-```yaml
-- name: Wikimedia Hackathon 2027
-  topic: Wikimedia
-  location: Albania
-  country: al
-  dates:
-    status: approximate
-    label: mid-April 2027
-    earliest: 2027-04-11
-    latest: 2027-04-20
-  hackathon: true
-
-- name: PyCascades 2027
-  topic: Python
-  location: TBC
-  dates:
-    status: approximate
-    label: March 2027
-    earliest: 2027-03-01
-    latest: 2027-03-31
-```
-
-## `entities.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of people/entities.
-
-Used by: birthday events.
-
-Required fields for birthday support:
-
-- `name`: full name.
-- `label`: display name.
-- `type`: for example `human`.
-- `birthday`: mapping with `day`, `month`, and optionally `year`.
-
-Optional fields:
-
-- `relation`, `email`.
-
-If `birthday.year` is omitted, age is shown as unknown.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- name: Ada Example
-  label: Ada
-  type: human
-  relation: friend
-  birthday:
-    day: 10
-    month: 12
-    year: 1990
-```
-
-## `events.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of general events.
-
-Used by: agenda events and trip pages.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `name`: event type.
-- One date source:
-  - `date`: single event date/datetime, or
-  - `start_date`: used for events with a separate `end_date`, or
-  - `rrule`: recurrence rule string.
-
-Optional fields:
-
-- `title`: display title.
-- `end_date`: explicit end date/datetime.
-- `duration`: ISO 8601 duration such as `PT2H`, `P1D`.
-- `url`.
-- Trip/map fields: `trip`, `location`, `country`, `venue`, `address`, `latitude`, `longitude`.
-
-Special cases:
-
-- For `name: travel_insurance`, the event date field is `end_date`; no `end_date` is attached to the generated event.
-- For recurring events, if the `rrule` has no `BYHOUR`, `BYMINUTE`, or `BYSECOND`, generated events are all-day dates. Otherwise generated datetimes are localized to UK time.
-- `skip_trips=True` consumers ignore entries with `trip`.
-
-Examples:
-
-```yaml
-- name: travel_insurance
-  start_date: 2026-05-04
-  end_date: 2027-05-03
-
-- name: meetup
-  title: Example Geo Meetup
-  date: 2026-06-18 18:30:00+01:00
-  duration: PT2H
-  url: https://example.org/meetup
-  location: Bristol
-  country: gb
-  latitude: 51.4545
-  longitude: -2.5879
-
-- name: market
-  title: Monthly Example Market
-  rrule: FREQ=MONTHLY;BYDAY=1SA
-```
-
-## `ferries.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of ferry journeys.
-
-Used by: trip loading, maps, trip timeline, Schengen tracking.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `trip`: trip start date.
-- `depart`, `arrive`: datetimes. Ferry `arrive` is required.
-- `from`, `to`: names from `ferry_terminals.yaml`.
-
-Common optional fields:
-
-- `operator`, `ferry`, `direction`, `class`, `booking_reference`, `price`, `currency`.
-- `price_details`: free-form mapping of fare components.
-- `vehicle`: mapping with fields such as `type`, `registration`, `height`, `length`, `extras`.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- booking_reference: ABC123
-  trip: 2026-05-04
-  price: '302.00'
-  currency: GBP
-  depart: 2026-05-04 23:00:00+01:00
-  arrive: 2026-05-05 08:00:00+02:00
-  from: Portsmouth
-  to: Cherbourg
-  operator: Brittany Ferries
-  class: Commodore cabin
-  price_details:
-    base_fare: '153.00'
-    cabin: '149.00'
-  vehicle:
-    type: Example car
-    registration: AB12CDE
-    height: 1.63m
-    length: 4.15m
-```
-
-## `ferry_terminals.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of ferry terminals.
-
-Used by: ferry loading and route rendering.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `name`: terminal name referenced by `ferries.yaml`.
-- `city`, `country`.
-- `latitude`, `longitude`.
-- `routes`: mapping from destination terminal name to GeoJSON filename without `.geojson`. Ferry route rendering expects a GeoJSON route.
-
-Optional fields:
-
-- `osm_node`, `osm_way`.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- name: Portsmouth
-  city: Portsmouth
-  country: gb
-  osm_way: 123456
-  latitude: 50.8120
-  longitude: -1.0880
-  routes:
-    Cherbourg: portsmouth_cherbourg
-```
-
-## `flight_destinations.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of origin rules for unbooked conference flight route hints.
-
-Used by: trip maps when a trip has conferences but no booked travel.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `origin`: origin airport IATA code.
-- `airline`: airline IATA code. Currently loaded for validation/description but not used in origin selection.
-- `destinations`: list of destination airport IATA codes.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- origin: BRS
-  airline: U2
-  destinations:
-    - AMS
-    - BCN
-    - CDG
-```
-
-## `flights.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of flight bookings. Each booking contains one or more flight legs.
-
-Used by: agenda transport events, trip loading, maps, distance calculation.
-
-Required booking fields:
-
-- `trip`: trip start date.
-- `flights`: list of flight leg mappings.
-
-Common optional booking fields:
-
-- `booking_reference`, `price`, `currency`.
-
-Required flight leg fields:
-
-- `depart`: departure datetime.
-- `from`, `to`: airport IATA codes from `airports.yaml`.
-- `flight_number`: numeric/string flight number without airline prefix.
-- `airline`: airline IATA code from `airlines.yaml`.
-
-Common optional flight leg fields:
-
-- Time/location: `arrive`, `from_terminal`, `to_terminal`, `duration`.
-- Seat/cabin: `seat`, `seat_type`, `class`, `cabin`.
-- Aircraft: `plane`, `registration`.
-- Tracking: `distance`, `co2_kg`, `openflights_trip`, `reason`.
-- Ticket/passenger: `e_ticket_number`, `ticket_number`, `frequent_flyer_number`, `passenger_name`, `passengers`, `baggage`, `payment_details`.
-
-`validate_yaml.py` checks that every booking has `trip`, all flight airlines exist in `airlines.yaml`, bookings are sorted by first departure, and currencies are configured. It reports flights missing `co2_kg`.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- booking_reference: ABC123
-  trip: 2026-04-22
-  price: '62.50'
-  currency: GBP
-  flights:
-    - depart: 2026-04-22 17:20:00+01:00
-      arrive: 2026-04-22 20:20:00+02:00
-      from: LHR
-      to: BRU
-      flight_number: '1234'
-      airline: BA
-      duration: 01:00
-      seat: 5F
-      seat_type: W
-      class: C
-      cabin: business
-      plane: Airbus A320
-      registration: G-ABCD
-      co2_kg: 154
-```
-
-## `follow_launches.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of SpaceDevs launch slugs.
-
-Used by: no current in-repo reader was found, but the file appears intended as a watch list for launch update tooling.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- starship-integrated-flight-test-5
-- artemis-ii
-```
-
-## `stations.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of railway stations.
-
-Used by: train loading, maps, route rendering.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `name`: station name referenced by `trains.yaml`.
-- `country`: lowercase country code.
-- `latitude`, `longitude`.
-- `routes`: mapping from destination station name to GeoJSON filename without `.geojson`.
-
-Common optional fields:
-
-- `uic`, `alpha3`, `wikidata`, `osm_node`.
-
-Note: the code reads `routes`, not `rotues`; `rotues` appears to be a typo in existing data and should not be used for new entries.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- name: London St Pancras
-  uic: 7015400
-  alpha3: STP
-  wikidata: Q720102
-  latitude: 51.531921
-  longitude: -0.126361
-  country: gb
-  routes:
-    Brussels Midi: london_brussels_eurostar
-```
-
-## `subscriptions.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of subscriptions.
-
-Used by: subscription renewal agenda events when `renewal_date` is present.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `name`: subscription name.
-
-Common optional fields:
-
-- Dates: `start`, `start_date`, `renewal_date`.
-- `price`: mapping with `amount` and `currency`.
-- `term`: mapping with `duration` and `unit` or `term_unit`.
-- Account: `email`, `account_url`, `account_number`.
-
-Only items with `renewal_date` create agenda events.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- name: Example Magazine
-  start_date: 2026-01-01
-  renewal_date: 2027-01-01
-  price:
-    amount: 99
-    currency: GBP
-  term:
-    duration: 1
-    unit: year
-  email: me@example.com
-  account_url: https://example.com/account
-  account_number: '001234'
-```
-
-## `trains.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of train journeys. Each journey contains one or more legs.
-
-Used by: agenda transport events, trip loading, trip timeline, maps, stats.
-
-Required journey fields:
-
-- `operator`: booking/operator label.
-- `from`, `to`: station names from `stations.yaml`.
-- `trip`: trip start date.
-- `depart`, `arrive`: journey datetimes or dates.
-- `legs`: list of leg mappings.
-
-Common optional journey fields:
-
-- `class`, `number`, `tickets`, `ticket_code`, `total_price`, `co2_kg`.
-
-Required leg fields:
-
-- `from`, `to`: station names from `stations.yaml`.
-- `depart`, `arrive`.
-- `operator`.
-
-Common optional leg fields:
-
-- `train`, `number`, `service`, `service_number`, `service_numbers`, `reporting_number`, `mode`.
-- Seat/reservation: `coach`, `seat`, `seat_type`, `seat_features`, `reservation_number`, `platform`.
-- `class`, `trip`, `url`.
-
-Ticket fields are free-form but commonly include `booking_reference`, `url`, `price`, `currency`, `booking_date`, `ticket`, `ticket_code`, `ticket_type`, `from`, `to`, `class`, `validity`, `route`, `fare`, `quantity`, `seat_reservation`.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- operator: eurostar
-  from: London St Pancras
-  to: Brussels Midi
-  trip: 2026-02-06
-  depart: 2026-02-06 15:04:00+00:00
-  arrive: 2026-02-06 18:12:00+01:00
-  class: Standard Premier
-  tickets:
-    - booking_reference: ABCDEF
-      url: https://example.com/booking/ABCDEF
-      price: '89.00'
-      currency: GBP
-  legs:
-    - from: London St Pancras
-      to: Brussels Midi
-      depart: 2026-02-06 15:04:00+00:00
-      arrive: 2026-02-06 18:12:00+01:00
-      coach: 1
-      seat: 41
-      operator: Eurostar
-```
-
-## `travel_rewards.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of travel loyalty accounts.
-
-Used by: no current in-repo reader was found. The file is structured as account metadata.
-
-Common fields:
-
-- `name`: programme name.
-- `type`: category such as `hotel`, `airline`, `rail`.
-- `member_number`: membership identifier.
-- `balance`: current points/miles balance.
-- `expiry`: expiry date or null.
-- `url`: account URL.
-- `person`: account holder key/name.
-- `email`, `note`.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- name: Example Rewards
-  type: hotel
-  member_number: '123456789'
-  balance: 3665
-  expiry: 2027-08-15
-  url: https://example.com/rewards
-  person: edward
-```
-
-## `trips.yaml`
-
-Top-level shape: list of trip metadata.
-
-Used by: trip grouping and trip titles.
-
-Required fields:
-
-- `trip`: trip start date. This is the grouping key used by travel, accommodation, conferences, and trip events.
-
-Optional fields:
-
-- `name`: explicit trip title.
-- `private`: boolean. Private trips are hidden from unauthenticated users.
-
-Example:
-
-```yaml
-- trip: 2026-02-06
-  name: Brussels for FOSDEM
-  private: false
-```
diff --git a/templates/conference_list.html b/templates/conference_list.html
index 6529b22..4e49074 100644
--- a/templates/conference_list.html
+++ b/templates/conference_list.html
@@ -138,21 +138,22 @@ tr.conf-hl > td {
 </tr>
 {% set ns = namespace(prev_month="") %}
 {% for item in item_list %}
-  {% set month_label = item.sort_date.strftime("%B %Y") %}
+  {% set month_label = item.start_date.strftime("%B %Y") %}
   {% if month_label != ns.prev_month %}
     {% set ns.prev_month = month_label %}
     <tr class="conf-month-row">
       <td colspan="6">{{ month_label }}</td>
     </tr>
   {% endif %}
-  <tr{% if item.going %} class="conf-going"{% endif %} data-conf-key="{{ item.sort_date.isoformat() }}|{{ item.name }}">
+  <tr{% if item.going %} class="conf-going"{% endif %} data-conf-key="{{ item.start_date.isoformat() }}|{{ item.name }}">
     <td class="text-nowrap text-muted small">
-      {{ item.display_date }}
-      {% if item.date_status == "tentative" %}
-        <span class="badge text-bg-warning ms-1">tentative</span>
-      {% elif item.date_status == "approximate" %}
-        <span class="badge text-bg-secondary ms-1">approximate</span>
-      {% endif %}
+      {%- if item.start_date == item.end_date -%}
+        {{ item.start_date.strftime("%a %-d %b %Y") }}
+      {%- elif item.start_date.year == item.end_date.year and item.start_date.month == item.end_date.month -%}
+        {{ item.start_date.strftime("%a %-d") }}–{{ item.end_date.strftime("%-d %b %Y") }}
+      {%- else -%}
+        {{ item.start_date.strftime("%a %-d %b") }}–{{ item.end_date.strftime("%-d %b %Y") }}
+      {%- endif -%}
     </td>
     <td>
       {% if item.url %}<a href="{{ item.url }}">{{ item.name }}</a>
diff --git a/tests/test_add_new_conference.py b/tests/test_add_new_conference.py
index 21338d9..6a7117b 100644
--- a/tests/test_add_new_conference.py
+++ b/tests/test_add_new_conference.py
@@ -47,33 +47,6 @@ def test_insert_sorted_allows_same_url_different_year_without_year_component() -
     assert updated[1]["name"] == "NewConf"
 
 
-def test_insert_sorted_supports_nested_dates() -> None:
-    """Nested dates should be used for sorting."""
-    conferences: list[dict[str, typing.Any]] = [
-        {
-            "name": "PyCascades",
-            "dates": {
-                "status": "approximate",
-                "label": "March 2027",
-                "earliest": date(2027, 3, 1),
-                "latest": date(2027, 3, 31),
-            },
-        }
-    ]
-    new_conf: dict[str, typing.Any] = {
-        "name": "FOSDEM",
-        "dates": {
-            "status": "tentative",
-            "start": date(2027, 1, 30),
-            "end": date(2027, 1, 31),
-        },
-    }
-
-    updated = add_new_conference.insert_sorted(conferences, new_conf)
-
-    assert [conf["name"] for conf in updated] == ["FOSDEM", "PyCascades"]
-
-
 def test_validate_country_normalises_name() -> None:
     """Country names should be normalised to alpha-2 codes."""
     conf: dict[str, typing.Any] = {"country": "United Kingdom"}
@@ -95,21 +68,6 @@ def test_normalise_end_field_defaults_single_day_date() -> None:
     assert conf["end"] == date(2026, 4, 10)
 
 
-def test_normalise_end_field_defaults_nested_exact_date() -> None:
-    """Nested exact dates should get a default end date."""
-    conf: dict[str, typing.Any] = {
-        "name": "PyCon",
-        "dates": {
-            "status": "exact",
-            "start": date(2026, 4, 10),
-        },
-    }
-
-    add_new_conference.normalise_end_field(conf, "plain text")
-
-    assert conf["dates"]["end"] == date(2026, 4, 10)
-
-
 def test_normalise_end_field_sets_geomob_end_time() -> None:
     """Geomob conferences should default to a 22:00 end time."""
     conf: dict[str, typing.Any] = {
diff --git a/tests/test_conference.py b/tests/test_conference.py
index d056527..811bdb9 100644
--- a/tests/test_conference.py
+++ b/tests/test_conference.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from typing import Any
 import pytest
 import yaml
 
-from agenda.conference import Conference, conference_date_fields, get_list
+from agenda.conference import Conference, get_list
 from agenda.event import Event
 
 
@@ -298,104 +298,6 @@ class TestGetList:
         assert event.date == datetime(2024, 5, 15, 9, 0)
         assert event.end_date == datetime(2024, 5, 17, 17, 0)
 
-    def test_get_list_nested_exact_dates(self) -> None:
-        """Test reading conference with nested exact dates."""
-        yaml_data = [
-            {
-                "name": "PyCon",
-                "topic": "Python",
-                "location": "Portland",
-                "dates": {
-                    "status": "exact",
-                    "start": date(2024, 5, 15),
-                    "end": date(2024, 5, 17),
-                },
-            }
-        ]
-
-        with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(mode="w", suffix=".yaml", delete=False) as f:
-            yaml.dump(yaml_data, f)
-            f.flush()
-
-            events = get_list(f.name)
-
-        assert len(events) == 1
-        assert events[0].date == date(2024, 5, 15)
-        assert events[0].end_date == date(2024, 5, 17)
-
-    def test_get_list_tentative_dates_do_not_create_conference_event(self) -> None:
-        """Test tentative conference dates are not emitted as calendar events."""
-        yaml_data = [
-            {
-                "name": "FOSDEM",
-                "topic": "FOSDEM",
-                "location": "Brussels",
-                "dates": {
-                    "status": "tentative",
-                    "start": date(2027, 1, 30),
-                    "end": date(2027, 1, 31),
-                    "label": "likely first weekend of February 2027",
-                },
-            }
-        ]
-
-        with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(mode="w", suffix=".yaml", delete=False) as f:
-            yaml.dump(yaml_data, f)
-            f.flush()
-
-            events = get_list(f.name)
-
-        assert events == []
-
-    def test_get_list_approximate_dates_keep_cfp_event(self) -> None:
-        """Test approximate dates do not block CFP reminders."""
-        yaml_data = [
-            {
-                "name": "PyCascades",
-                "topic": "Python",
-                "location": "TBC",
-                "dates": {
-                    "status": "approximate",
-                    "label": "March 2027",
-                    "earliest": date(2027, 3, 1),
-                    "latest": date(2027, 3, 31),
-                },
-                "cfp_end": date(2026, 11, 1),
-            }
-        ]
-
-        with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(mode="w", suffix=".yaml", delete=False) as f:
-            yaml.dump(yaml_data, f)
-            f.flush()
-
-            events = get_list(f.name)
-
-        assert len(events) == 1
-        assert events[0].name == "cfp_end"
-        assert events[0].date == date(2026, 11, 1)
-
-    def test_conference_date_fields_approximate(self) -> None:
-        """Test derived fields for approximate conference dates."""
-        fields = conference_date_fields(
-            {
-                "name": "PyCascades",
-                "topic": "Python",
-                "location": "TBC",
-                "dates": {
-                    "status": "approximate",
-                    "label": "March 2027",
-                    "earliest": date(2027, 3, 1),
-                    "latest": date(2027, 3, 31),
-                },
-            }
-        )
-
-        assert fields["date_status"] == "approximate"
-        assert fields["sort_date"] == date(2027, 3, 1)
-        assert fields["latest_date"] == date(2027, 3, 31)
-        assert fields["display_date"] == "March 2027"
-        assert fields["has_exact_dates"] is False
-
     def test_get_list_invalid_date_order(self) -> None:
         """Test that conferences with end before start raise assertion error."""
         yaml_data = [
diff --git a/tests/test_conference_list.py b/tests/test_conference_list.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 7a09802..0000000
--- a/tests/test_conference_list.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,55 +0,0 @@
-"""Tests for conference list date handling."""
-
-from datetime import date
-import typing
-
-import yaml
-
-import agenda.trip
-import web_view
-
-
-def test_build_conference_list_supports_inexact_dates(
-    tmp_path: typing.Any, monkeypatch: typing.Any
-) -> None:
-    """Conference list should include tentative and approximate dates."""
-    conferences = [
-        {
-            "name": "PyCascades 2027",
-            "topic": "Python",
-            "location": "TBC",
-            "dates": {
-                "status": "approximate",
-                "label": "March 2027",
-                "earliest": date(2027, 3, 1),
-                "latest": date(2027, 3, 31),
-            },
-        },
-        {
-            "name": "FOSDEM 2027",
-            "topic": "FOSDEM",
-            "location": "Brussels",
-            "dates": {
-                "status": "tentative",
-                "start": date(2027, 1, 30),
-                "end": date(2027, 1, 31),
-                "label": "likely first weekend of February 2027",
-            },
-        },
-    ]
-    (tmp_path / "conferences.yaml").write_text(
-        yaml.safe_dump(conferences), encoding="utf-8"
-    )
-
-    monkeypatch.setitem(web_view.app.config, "PERSONAL_DATA", str(tmp_path))
-    monkeypatch.setattr(agenda.trip, "build_trip_list", lambda: [])
-
-    items = web_view.build_conference_list()
-
-    assert [item["name"] for item in items] == ["FOSDEM 2027", "PyCascades 2027"]
-    assert items[0]["date_status"] == "tentative"
-    assert items[0]["display_date"] == "likely first weekend of February 2027"
-    assert items[0]["sort_date"] == date(2027, 1, 30)
-    assert items[1]["date_status"] == "approximate"
-    assert items[1]["display_date"] == "March 2027"
-    assert items[1]["latest_date"] == date(2027, 3, 31)
diff --git a/validate_yaml.py b/validate_yaml.py
index 8baa314..0fc82ab 100755
--- a/validate_yaml.py
+++ b/validate_yaml.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ import agenda.data
 import agenda.travel
 import agenda.trip
 import agenda.types
-import agenda.utils
 
 config = __import__("config.default", fromlist=[""])
 data_dir = config.PERSONAL_DATA
@@ -37,23 +36,6 @@ def check_currency(item: agenda.types.StrDict) -> None:
     sys.exit(-1)
 
 
-def check_country_code(
-    item: agenda.types.StrDict, source: str, required: bool = True
-) -> None:
-    """Throw error if country code is missing or invalid."""
-    country = item.get("country")
-    if country is None:
-        if not required:
-            return
-        pprint(item)
-        print(f"{source} missing country")
-        sys.exit(-1)
-    if not isinstance(country, str) or not agenda.get_country(country):
-        pprint(item)
-        print(f"{source} has invalid country {country!r}")
-        sys.exit(-1)
-
-
 def get_coords(item: agenda.types.StrDict) -> LatLon | None:
     """Return latitude/longitude tuple when present."""
     if "latitude" in item and "longitude" in item:
@@ -268,16 +250,6 @@ def check_trains() -> None:
     print(len(trains), "trains")
 
 
-def check_conference_dates(conf_data: agenda.types.StrDict) -> None:
-    """Check conference start/end range."""
-    try:
-        agenda.conference.validate_conference_date_fields(conf_data)
-    except ValueError as exc:
-        pprint(conf_data)
-        print(f"conference {conf_data.get('name', '[unknown]')!r}: {exc}")
-        sys.exit(-1)
-
-
 def check_conferences() -> None:
     """Check conferences and ensure they are in chronological order."""
     filepath = os.path.join(data_dir, "conferences.yaml")
@@ -295,11 +267,7 @@ def check_conferences() -> None:
             print(f"currency {conf.currency!r} not in {currencies!r}")
             sys.exit(-1)
 
-        check_country_code(conf_data, "conference", required=False)
-        check_conference_dates(conf_data)
-
-        date_fields = agenda.conference.conference_date_fields(conf_data)
-        current_start = normalize_datetime(date_fields["sort_date"])
+        current_start = normalize_datetime(conf_data["start"])
         if prev_start and current_start < prev_start:
             assert prev_conf_data is not None
             print(f"Out of order conference found:")
@@ -322,11 +290,6 @@ def check_events() -> None:
     last_year = today - timedelta(days=365)
     next_year = today + timedelta(days=2 * 365)
 
-    filepath = os.path.join(data_dir, "events.yaml")
-    events_data = yaml.safe_load(open(filepath, "r"))
-    for event in events_data:
-        check_country_code(event, "event", required=False)
-
     events = agenda.events_yaml.read(data_dir, last_year, next_year)
     print(len(events), "events")
 
@@ -351,7 +314,6 @@ def check_accommodation() -> None:
     for stay in accommodation_list:
         try:
             assert all(field in stay for field in required_fields)
-            check_country_code(stay, "accommodation")
             check_coordinates(stay)
         except AssertionError:
             pprint(stay)
@@ -385,7 +347,8 @@ def check_airports() -> None:
     )
     print(len(airports), "airports")
     for airport in airports.values():
-        check_country_code(airport, "airport")
+        assert "country" in airport
+        assert agenda.get_country(airport["country"])
 
 
 def check_stations() -> None:
@@ -393,31 +356,8 @@ def check_stations() -> None:
     stations = agenda.travel.parse_yaml("stations", data_dir)
     print(len(stations), "stations")
     for station in stations:
-        check_country_code(station, "station")
-
-
-def check_ferry_terminals() -> None:
-    """Check ferry terminals."""
-    terminals = agenda.travel.parse_yaml("ferry_terminals", data_dir)
-    print(len(terminals), "ferry terminals")
-    for terminal in terminals:
-        check_country_code(terminal, "ferry terminal")
-
-
-def check_bus_stops() -> None:
-    """Check bus stops."""
-    stops = agenda.travel.parse_yaml("bus_stops", data_dir)
-    print(len(stops), "bus stops")
-    for stop in stops:
-        check_country_code(stop, "bus stop")
-
-
-def check_coach_stations() -> None:
-    """Check coach stations."""
-    stations = agenda.travel.parse_yaml("coach_stations", data_dir)
-    print(len(stations), "coach stations")
-    for station in stations:
-        check_country_code(station, "coach station")
+        assert "country" in station
+        assert agenda.get_country(station["country"])
 
 
 def check_ferries() -> None:
@@ -475,8 +415,8 @@ def check_buses() -> None:
 
 def check_airlines() -> list[agenda.types.StrDict]:
     """Check airlines."""
-    airlines: list[agenda.types.StrDict] = agenda.travel.parse_yaml(
-        "airlines", data_dir
+    airlines = typing.cast(
+        list[agenda.types.StrDict], agenda.travel.parse_yaml("airlines", data_dir)
     )
     print(len(airlines), "airlines")
     for airline in airlines:
@@ -510,9 +450,6 @@ def check() -> None:
     check_accommodation()
     check_airports()
     check_stations()
-    check_ferry_terminals()
-    check_bus_stops()
-    check_coach_stations()
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
diff --git a/web_view.py b/web_view.py
index e4981fa..41a4f32 100755
--- a/web_view.py
+++ b/web_view.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import hashlib
 import importlib
 import inspect
 import json
+import operator
 import os.path
 import sys
 import time
@@ -25,7 +26,6 @@ from authlib.integrations.flask_client import OAuth
 from werkzeug.middleware.proxy_fix import ProxyFix
 
 import agenda.data
-import agenda.conference
 import agenda.error_mail
 import agenda.fx
 import agenda.holidays
@@ -380,18 +380,18 @@ def build_conference_list() -> list[StrDict]:
             conference_trip_lookup[key] = trip
 
     for conf in items:
-        conf.update(agenda.conference.validate_conference_date_fields(conf))
+        conf["start_date"] = agenda.utils.as_date(conf["start"])
+        conf["end_date"] = agenda.utils.as_date(conf["end"])
 
         price = conf.get("price")
         if price:
             conf["price"] = decimal.Decimal(price)
 
-        if "start" in conf:
-            key = (conf["start"], conf["name"])
-            if this_trip := conference_trip_lookup.get(key):
-                conf["linked_trip"] = this_trip
+        key = (conf["start"], conf["name"])
+        if this_trip := conference_trip_lookup.get(key):
+            conf["linked_trip"] = this_trip
 
-    items.sort(key=lambda item: item["sort_date"])
+    items.sort(key=operator.itemgetter("start_date"))
     return items
 
 
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ def _conference_description(conf: StrDict) -> str:
 
 def build_conference_timeline(
     current: list[StrDict], future: list[StrDict], today: date, days: int = 90
-) -> dict[str, typing.Any] | None:
+) -> dict | None:
     """Build data for a Gantt-style timeline of upcoming conferences."""
     timeline_start = today
     timeline_end = today + timedelta(days=days)
@@ -450,9 +450,7 @@ def build_conference_timeline(
     visible = [
         c
         for c in (current + future)
-        if c["has_exact_dates"]
-        and c["start_date"] <= timeline_end
-        and c["end_date"] >= today
+        if c["start_date"] <= timeline_end and c["end_date"] >= today
     ]
     if not visible:
         return None
@@ -502,9 +500,7 @@ def build_conference_timeline(
     d = today.replace(day=1)
     while d <= timeline_end:
         off = max((d - timeline_start).days, 0)
-        months.append(
-            {"label": d.strftime("%b %Y"), "left_pct": round(off / days * 100, 2)}
-        )
+        months.append({"label": d.strftime("%b %Y"), "left_pct": round(off / days * 100, 2)})
         # advance to next month
         d = (d.replace(day=28) + timedelta(days=4)).replace(day=1)
 
@@ -529,8 +525,6 @@ def build_conference_ical(items: list[StrDict]) -> bytes:
     generated = datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc)
 
     for conf in items:
-        if not conf["has_exact_dates"]:
-            continue
         start_date = agenda.utils.as_date(conf["start"])
         end_date = agenda.utils.as_date(conf["end"])
         end_exclusive = end_date + timedelta(days=1)
@@ -562,13 +556,9 @@ def conference_list() -> str:
     current = [
         conf
         for conf in items
-        if conf["has_exact_dates"]
-        and conf["start_date"] <= today
-        and conf["end_date"] >= today
-    ]
-    future = [
-        conf for conf in items if conf not in current and conf["latest_date"] >= today
+        if conf["start_date"] <= today and conf["end_date"] >= today
     ]
+    future = [conf for conf in items if conf["start_date"] > today]
 
     timeline = build_conference_timeline(current, future, today)
 
@@ -589,7 +579,7 @@ def past_conference_list() -> str:
     today = date.today()
     return flask.render_template(
         "conference_list.html",
-        past=[conf for conf in build_conference_list() if conf["latest_date"] < today],
+        past=[conf for conf in build_conference_list() if conf["end_date"] < today],
         today=today,
         get_country=agenda.get_country,
         fx_rate=agenda.fx.get_rates(app.config),