Those hacker spaces only get a limited contingent too, and the hacker space will expect you to help set up their assembly if you get the ticket through them.

> and the hacker space will expect you to help set up their assembly if you get the ticket through them.

I don’t think that it is bad to demand that. The whole event is organized by volunteers and it is massive yet well done. I have been a volunteer too.

I can't help but read your "will expect you to help" part as trying to say something negative. But if they helped you get a ticket, helping them for an hour or two to setup their space feels like the least you could do.

Yes, limited contingent, but that's also expected with a limited number of seats at the congress. I'm part of two hacker spaces and none of them expected any help with setting up their assembly.

I'm a paying, full member of muccc (munich) and ccchh (hamburg), and neither expect you to help with assembly if you get tickets thru them.

Where was that, and when? I got tickets through hackerspaces and was never expected to do anything for them.

I tried to become member of my local one and they never replied to my application for membership.

Have you checked if they have an open day? Many have a dedicated public day every week where you can just drop by and if you are interested someone will probably happily assist you with becoming a member.

Otherwise joining their IRC and asking there could also be an option.

Try showing up physically on their open evenings, which most spaces have.