"We need to come up with an event for folk close to Bend to get together
for some important-sounding but bogus reason to stand around and talk
about . . . stuff."

A modest suggestion:� Eons ago when I was wrenching on bicycles in Vermont a group of us would gather occasionally for what we called "The Mechanics' Fortnightly Technical Seminar," soon shortened to The Fortnightly. What actually went on is best left unmentioned, but a similar title may well suit your purposes.

Stephen