Been looking at the feedback on mask policies from two separate conferences. People seem to fall into three groups:

1) I'll go with the policy, whatever it is

2) The risk of attending an event without masks is too high, so I will not attend without a strong mask policy

3) You cannot force me to wear a mask, so I will not attend if you require them.

You can always get group 1 at your con. Choose between groups 2 and 3.

My random sampling says that group 2 is nicer than group 3. Group 2 is both easier to hang around with, and safer.

Easy choice.

@mwl The one I'm worried about is when they say they have a strong mask policy, luring people into thinking it's safe to go, and then you get there and find out hardly anyone is wearing masks and the organisers won't do anything about it because they think it's not polite to enforce their own rules.