Oh, if they're not making money off of it, Creation will do their damnedest to discourage it. It's one of the reasons I love David Hewlett so much - he doesn't rush the fan experience during signings and such.

I wish that Creation didn't have such a hard lock on the Stargate convention experience! I know the actors appear at other cons, but not as often.

And I kinda have to agree with you about McGillion; he didn't detract from the experience, but he did rather dilute it.