Could it also be WHL's strategy to have someone else other than...

Could it also be WHL's strategy to have someone else other than Steve do this presentation because not only is Steve tied up with Farm-in negotiations, but by being at the conference, it would make Steve accessible to the competition of the current Farm-in negotiators. By being at the conference, Steve would be readily available to speak to newcomers. With Steve being unavailable at the conference, it places his status above other representatives at this conference, forcing any potential negotiators to contact him formally. WHL still want to tout their story at the conference. It makes better sense to have it done by someone who is not privy to farmin discussions (therefore can't speak about that issue). It also shows whomever WHL is currently talking to that WHL regards their talks as extremely confidential and important to WHL. So much that they would not have their MD speak at this conference.
This is another way to look at the games being played and of course is just an hypothesis.