@ Yankee or anyone else familiar with the conference proceedings - will reliable WiFi access be available in the events room(s)?
I've attended conferences at the proposed location. It is a premier venue with whatever facilities you can imagine. Technically, anything you require, they can provide.
However: I have no clue whether communications services (e.g. WiFi for attendees, or a large pipe for streaming) are standard or will require separate purchase as an add-on from the organizer. Also, possibly the convention center will frown on 3rd party attendees doing A/V work instead of hiring their onsite personnel and equipment. The Foundation will have to figure out all these details based on whatever budget they have for the event, and based on a ticket price that people can afford. From a financial standpoint, announcing that everything will be livestreamed for free could be counterproductive, as it would reduce the incentive for people to fly in and attend. If the event doesn't sell out and break even, it would look very bad for PR reasons, and would likely mean either higher prices for those who do attend or, even worse, possible cancellation of the conference.
Valid point.
They could also profit from the fact that certain segments would be streamed by charging to view it live. Or not mention that it will be streamed until it gets close enough to the point where they've sold enough tickets, and people wouldn't request refunds/change their plans. But perhaps it would be best to just upload segments after the conference.
Also, it would certainly make things easier for the Foundation if the venue did have an established, integrated A/V service already at the venue. If they do, hopefully they know what they're doing. I would really like to record the conference and sometimes those guys can make things harder than they need to be.
Of course, we're all just speculating here. I'm assuming we'll find out more details on this as the BF board members deliberate on the issue.