Actually, by having the event at the same time every year they show that they do care, because one has an entire year to plan, save their $$, tell their work that they need that time off, etc. That's more than fair. The college students and those of us with children who may have important end-of-school-year events occasionally have to miss a NEST year or two, but ultimately having a set date works best.
NEST is an entire three-day weekend, and you live just 90 minutes away. Are you truly unable to schedule even one evening off to drive up and back? With a year's notice?