You heard right! We rarely have a good excuse to get all fancy at community events, so attendees are encouraged to dress up a bit for this fun evening. Dress code will not be strictly enforced, meaning we won’t turn away badge holders for wearing more casual clothing, but keep in mind that the vast majority of folks in attendance will be dressed quite a bit nicer than your standard convention wear.

Think cocktail-party attire. Gentlemen, that could be interpreted to mean a smart buttoned-down shirt, nice slacks, and dress shoes. Dark jeans would also be considered acceptable, but nothing too flashy, and we would avoid anything with lots of rips or tears. Coat and tie optional, but we won’t stop you from going the extra mile. Ladies, you can’t go wrong with a tasteful cocktail dress, but feel free to go with something less gender-conforming if that’s your style. For visual reference, check out photos from last year’s gala.

And if you need a bit more information on what cocktail attire means, check out this handy article from Lifehacker.