Everyone who throws a party is saying the same thing - but, at least he is saying it out loud........... and not as subletly.
I think many have tried to limit numbers for a long time by passing out invitations, and then get carried away and give them to about everyone. Why? Because webmasters seem to get thier feelings hurt if they aren't invited, and the sponor is afraid to alienate anyone.
Private parties are the thing of the future. So, everyone might as well get used to it. The large parties may be a way of branding, but sure are hard to measure and tough on the ROI. I am not sure that webmaster loyality can be bought that way. Newbies may give the program a try, but the bottom line is what buys loyalty.