[stakmur]

"but I'd like to make sure they go to people who'll appreciate it, actually turn up, can't afford to go otherwise and who'll get something from it."

You are trying to accomplish something you can't measure, except for the "showing up" part. The ticket is only part of the costs - there's airfare, hotel, etc, too. Keep it simple and raffle off the tickets. If it looks like only half the winners will show up, do another raffle. Anyone who wins AND shows up will have met most, if not all, of your criteria anyway.

[gdltec]

raffle off the tickets? no. Yes we are all aware of the other expenses... that is why a lot of us cannot afford it. I can afford the flight/hotel... but cannot pay $2K on top of that which is what the ticket costs. I agree that showing up is only half the battle... you need to take some immediate action on what you see and learn there as well as make any connections as possible that could help you down the road.