We have been discussing this for a couple of years now (even before the auction came on the scene), without a clear resolution. The Louisville show is a logical alternative venue, as was the idea of having it move among a few venues year-to-year, but the idea was met with a lukewarm response.
We did lose some people to the auction last year, but on the other hand, I think a few people dropped by who would not have otherwise. The biggest disruption was people going in and out to monitor the auction progress. We have tried to build in time in the program for breaks, and to not have it run too long. I think the auction ended at about 2 am last year, so there was plenty going on after the seminar was over.
We also tried a two-evening program one year, with the main event Friday night. I think attendance was good overall, but the final impression was that Friday created too much pressure on people's real-life schedules. We can certainly continue the discussion this year. The seminar attendance has been waning a bit in recent years, so finding a way to reinvigorate it would be excellent.
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