We wish to attract people who haven't been to conventions, and therefore don't understand them, but will like them when they do.

As do all con runners. But obviously you don't think they'll like certain aspects of them because you're deliberately not mentioning those.

As I said to angriest, perhaps it makes more sense just not to have a Fan Guest of Honor if you think that your potential audience would be disturbed by one rather than not letting it be known that you're honoring the person except on the spot.