GABF allows you to buy tickets to just 1 session which helps, unlike HBC. HBC should let you buy each night separate if you want. I know they have "all access" and then the "social" only ticket. I also think GABF numbers could be overinflated as last time I went in 2017, we had tickets for Friday and Saturday nights...so how many of that 40K is double counting people who attended more than one session?How many people showed up to San Diego this year? The homebrewcon website mentioned they expected 1200+ attendees? Considering how many people homebrew that's a sad expectation and it doesn't surprise me they are shifting gears to keep it going.
Edit: GABF attendence was 40k in 2022. This is down it was 60k in 2019. They also have a separate session for AHA and BA members.
Edit: This could give homebrewcon a lot of exposure they didn't have which would help to build it back up.
While a lot of people do homebrew, how many are actually AHA members? Plus you're talking flights to San Diego, hotel, $600+ for all access for 3 days and spending money. It's a big nut, especially if going from the East Coast.