As someone in Australia this is also relevant to my interests. :)

However I note in terms of min-maxing, if I were allocating limited scholarship funds, I would want a very compelling reason to bring one international attendee when the same money could perhaps instead result in half a dozen additional USA attendees. I'm obviously not speaking for the SIAI and there is a counter-argument for casting a wider net.

(Actually I have no stake in this, if I were to attend it would be self-funded.)