From the planner's perspective, if you plan for a certain number of people and end up being “shy,” you lose money. Because, after all, you've paid for the capacity, food, supplies, etc. If you're able to fill that capacity, GREAT. You know then that there is demand and can take that into account next year and look for a bigger venue.

From the potential attendee's perspective, assuming that it fills to capacity and you're turned away, yeah, it's not cool. But like Tyler said, concerts, movies, etc., have capacities too. And legally, you have to abide by those capacities. And also to echo his last point: if Gnomedex this year really DOES sell out, then yes, it WILL have to be bigger the next year! That would be great.

The fact that Gnomedex is held in Des Moines probably will not change… (if bigger venues than this year's Marriott are needed, Des Moines can handle that). It's there for the very reason that that's Chris's hometown — and that's where the LG employees are, and there's a need for the state of Iowa to recognize the technology work that goes on within its borders.

People don't think that Des Moines is a destination city… it has a few attractions, but it's definitely not a Las Vegas or Orlando or New York or whatever. And it doesn't want to be or need to be. Again, if the choice of city is a concern for you… well, it's probably not going to change, so… I dunno what to tell you. There's an airport with several major and discount carriers there… so it's not like it's inaccessible. So… well, like I said, I don't know what to tell you.