Also just want to say, I really understand your frustration about trying to organise the event. I recently decided to do this with the people I was on a long course with last year - I ended up throwing the toys out of the pram and decided I don't have the personality for organising this type of thing because in my case it was everyone interested but couldn't even be bothered to put any effort in to giving me the info. required to try to come up with date that suited everyone. I'm a girl of action and can't abide people wanting everything done for them. Not the case for you though - everyone keen and giving you their preferred dates .... just impossible to suit everyone. So you have done the right thing - do what you want and see who can join in.