Those are all valid points, and some were raised last time, too. And we definitely need to come up with some solution to who can attend, at some point.
As I see it, there are two models:
Free-for-all
It's a possibility that 800 people will show up, of course, but probably not going to happen. Not everyone comes to the Reception either. However, it doesn't really matter if it is 800 or 10 more than the premises can accommodate. The result is the same: Some get in, some are left out. Some of those left out will be forumites - what to do about them? Do we throw out non-forumites so forumites can get in? Will it be just too bad for those forumites who come late? That's not good, since people are going to Penn & Teller on the same night as the party. And, if there is room for all forumites and some non-forumites, which of the non-forumites do we let in? First come, first served? Or special favors, by all forumites - or some forumites, but not others?
A free-for-all would also be a somewhat similar event to the Reception - only longer. So why come to one and not the other? Some will think that.
Only forumites-plus-special-guests
Who are the special guests? If it is the speakers, then better call it Forumites-plus-speakers. If some people can also invite their own special guests outside the speakers' group, who will those be? Chosen by what criteria? We're going to have favorites and special favors all over the place. If I can invite people, why can't Teek?
This would also require gate control: People would be required to wear something that identify them as forumites. That means a checklist at the door. But how will we identify those who have signed up, but haven't posted? Anyone can claim they are PosterX. Do we sign up in advance, so the list of attendees are settled before the party starts? Do we have to have a certain minimum number of posts?
Or, of course, we could just bank on only forumites turning up. But what do we tell those who are interested, but not on the forum? Do we let them in? That's one heck of a way to welcome people - you get to party! Or is it: "Sorry, it's for forumites only!" Gee, welcome!
Giving the room number individually is sensible, if you want to get a specific group to attend, but that's a problem even today: What about those who are not in the vicinity of Rebecca? She could leave the number at the Forum table when she got it, of course - that would solve that problem.
.
Since we have a Forum table this year, lots of non-forumites will hear about the forum, and hopefully will sign up. That will become a problem at the next TAM, since more people will be included in the forumites-plus-special-guests group. And if we are serious about attracting people to the forum, we'd better prepare for every TAM attendee also being a forumite. So the second group will migrate into becoming the first.
Yes, there are many things to consider. But we should decide on what to do in advance, in order to anticipate and hence prevent problems.
