How large is the quilt you think they will be able to finish? Are they going to be told to bring their fabric and how much to bring? Or will you be providing it in a kit form? You said you have a quilter lined up, who will be paying for that? I am concerned the cost of your retreat is going to be astronomical. But then I am thinking of California prices.
I would suggest you send a list of tools they need to bring to the class. You say it's a 101 classs, but they should have the basic tools to bring, you could provide a list of these items. Otherwise they will be standing around waiting to use them. I love your plan to provide the list of acronyms and abbreviations - we use so many without even realizing it and people get lost. And also the reading of patterns, seems so simple but so very important, so easy to think the pattern is self explanatory but the pattern can have some twists that aren't so obvious, like when to cut a mirror image of a piece.
Have fun and be flexible. Everyone is there to learn and have a good time.