From the Conference Overview Page:

(Image courtesy of Artem Zhushman(R-tem) at SRX)

MEAL FUNCTIONS
Tickets for all conference meal functions must be purchased in advance as part of the conference preregistration process. Tickets will not be sold onsite. Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to join you to hear a favorite author. While meal function tickets must be purchased in advance, conference registration is not required to attend these events. Ticket prices are based on the cost of menu selections, catering service charges, room set-up charges, speaker fees, and other expenses. The banquet hall doors will be open 30 minutes prior to the starting time of each meal function. Space permitting, gallery seating will be available 30 minutes after the meal function begins for attendees without meal tickets who wish to hear the speaker. For details, see the daily schedule. For Meal Function Menus see page 12 of the conference program.