Don't most people join TERB so that they can share information about the hobby anonymously?
I admit that I find it counterintuitive when TERB members organize face to face events.
I understand why agencies or MPs might want to organize an event. It's one of the cheaper advertising options available to them. I'm just not sure why TERB members would want to show up. Sure, we can all dream about "free samples" at such an event, but that just doesn't happen.
A few years ago, out of curiosity, I went to a SC that was holding a TERB event. It was fairly easy to pick out the SPs and MPAs who were attending, and almost as easy to pick out the TERB members. However, it took me about 10 seconds to realize that I had seen what there was to be seen, and there was no upside in identifying myself, even if I would only be using my TERB handle.
Despite more liberal attitudes in our society, there is still nothing to be gained by identifying yourself as a hobbyist.