There's nothing like showing up to a party in which the guest of honor doesn't show.
"We attend to show our respect for the arrangement."
Seriously - If you know ahead of time that not one partaker is going to be present, why hold the event? It's like preparing a massive dinner party and then everyone shows up, stands up against a wall, and watches a table where no one is seating with food no one is going to eat.
Why not just have the speaker ask: "Is anyone here tonight going to partake of these emblems?" If no one responds, call it a night.