Can I just ask why you expected there to be that many guests? I'm not quite sure what you're basing that expectation on?
Well, both another show (the original...) and TFF (hurray for freedom of speech!) had around that number, so that might be where it comes from.
I think most of the people here, expect something like the other showmasters event, but that is not what a con, especially not Ring*Con is about.
Ring-con is about celebrating the work of Tolkien and his influence on fantasy in general.
It is not about collecting autographs, that is just the topping on an event that is very unique.
If you have a look at the programm of Ring-con Germany you notice a lot of fanbased activities and lectures.
This year programm includes 9 WETA lectures, 30 lectures held by 12 lecturers, 11 actors with a total 22 Panels, 19 Workshops á 2 hours, concerts and of course the parties.
Ring-Con is about having fun and forgetting real live for a few days.
Ring-Con is about wearing costumes without having to explain what it is and ignoring strange looks from people who do not understand why you do it.
Ring-Con ia about getting together with a lot of people and friends whom you only meet once a year during the con.
That is what Ring-Con is for me and for a lot of other people I know, and I know of what I`m talking here, I`ve been at every single Ring-Con in Germany and I will go as long as it exists.
I really wanted to attend, Ring-Con UK and I do not care much about "big" names, as much as I like to meet David to get him sign the DVD of "Better Sex", but I think showmasters forgot what a con is about.
It does not cost much to invite lecturers and the Tolkien society, and I still think Ring-Con UK would have had the potential to become a huge event, but to be honest 600 Euros for a Gold Ticket shocked me.
I`m sorry, to say that, but I think they would have sold more tickets, if they had been a little cheaper and iof they had done more to get other people than actors involved in it.
Sorry for the rambling but I so wanted this con to happen, but I do not see how it should workl out now.
As some other have already said, it was too little to late.
Just my 2 cents and now I`m sitting back and wait for the flames.