RE: It would be nice if something such as Wordapalooza, which has been very publicly advertised here on the board, were not an exclusive event. For some reason, before I started learning more about it, I had thought it would be held at a hotel or some similar public place where we could all meet with impunity
are you offering to plan one? Oh goody!  so far i have been to canada's atlantic proviences, and to BC, but never really just headed north, and met BelMarduk, seen Montereal, or even onterio..  I'll come!  
i have met with some of the regular posters here..  and every one has been even nice in person than there are here. 
when i met Betsy, (AKA as AsP, AnnaStrophic,) the first thing i did was put my foot in my mouth, and say "oh you are so much nicer in person..."-- and truer words were never spoken, she took no offence, and gently helped me remove my foot!  it was a pleasure!