Ted, I'm reminded of the story you told me about being at a Chicago conference that involved two groups of people that were focused on their own thing. As such, no one merged in the first day. Then, since you're the brilliant man you are, you posed a question for a session on the second day that actually brought both groups together. (Sorry if I got some of the facts wrong.)

The O.net conference seemed to have so much to cover and so little time as it was. If we bring in another group, I see two things happening:

1. the problem is perpetuated, and we have little time to cover a wide range of issues.
2. we narrow the focus of the event in a way the incapsulates the issues that relate only to BOTH groups in the conference. As such, we are able to get in depth within the sessions and discussions as well as intermingle.

As for AI, it might be a good way to get to meet and know people at the very beginning as an ice breaker, if nothing else. Keep in mind, though, that I wasn't there Friday of 06, so I don't know how you all broke the ice.