My partner recently mentioned that at the last hmd, which they went to and I did not, they met and had a good time with one of the people who will be hosting the one coming up in February. I suggested that they ask to see if we can be put on their guest list. My partner said no, that's tacky.

Personally, I don't think that it is. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the person that is the host was selected for this because they're attractive and fun at parties. And they're given a guest list so that they can invite more people who will be attractive and fun at parties. This is a way for the people actually running the party to promote it by saying hey, look at all these people that will be here. For the host, I don't see this as a personal thing, but a business thing. It's his job to give out those tickets to people he knows will be a fun time and sell the experience to others.

That being said, who is in the right?