A suggestion for you British women - meet with the organizer of this event, for tea, lunch, or something else in a restaurant. Do it mid-day on a Saturday. Meet the man that's attempting to sort this all out for you folks, and get comfortable with him.
Many's the time I've met someone one-on-one 'cause they were nervous about a group. You have but to ask. Worst case, you have the only lunatic that's organizing a social event and DOESN'T wanna meet you. I doubt this will happen, somehow.
Keep in mind that it's JUST a meet. No obligations or expectations. You'll quite likely make a friend in all this. Several, if it's anything like the West Coast Gatherings.
Ticklemad, bein' that you're the woman bold enough to stand forward, might I suggest you ask BigJim to meet you somewhere local to you? It gets things started, you see, and once they're moving, they tend to keep moving. Inertia, and all that.
Good to see you folks still posting!
dvnc