ok, so we also had a chat in PM, thanks for that. Just so you know:
- you are not obliged to stay in the hotels. we merely tried to make a deal with a nice hotel, because it can be fun to also have some fellow steemians at breakfast.
- This is not a Steemit fest, but Steem Fest. Steemit is a partner but not the owner or initiator of the event. The event is totally run by the community, for the community. Everything costs money. Parts are sponsored. Anyone is free to organise other events.
I encourage you to try and win a ticket (see my weekly announcement posts for ticket competitions running) if you find it to expensive. That is literally all extra costs beyond your regular Krakov travel (and then you even win because you don't have 2 pay for some dinners and lunches) and then you can experience the event at first hand.
Imho it would be weird to suspect full board events which last a couple of days to be free.