Great comments so far: I like the organization starting up. I second the webcasting! I'm in the remote North CA coast and remote access would work best for me most of the time, considering that the nearest airport or train station is over a 6h drive away. I'll keep my eyes on this thread, anyhow.
I also suggest we pick themes for gatherings, and hold different types of them in varying sizes. I see us attending larger conventions, but smaller meetups could happen more frequently as well to allow us to socialize and bond locally within West Region. I've been a part of a few of these types of smaller meetups with other communities, and lifelong friendships can form from the get-togethers. Successful meetup themes usually revolve around food, are set in an accesible place, and can include online chats/video for those unable to attend in person at a specific location. In turn, the social bonds formed at small gatherings can help build community to organize larger events like conventions...