Congrats, Geoff - glad to hear that you are getting another chance to take a crack at the bat for this when nobody else seems interested to, outside of things that are particularly insular (like GDC).
I will echo the comments that have been made above with respect to how we are all hoping this turns out: while I can understand that nobody is asking for black suits and ties, I don't think it's entirely off-base to say we are all hoping for some level of class. This doesn't mean that presenters need to be overly serious or for there to be lacking in any way of 'fun' during the show - video games are ultimately about whimsy, though the tone that takes and the direction it moves in differs from game to game - but rather that we are hoping for a kind of self-reflection with a celebration of the people who made games. Many of the shows past always seemed overtly aware of who it was being shown to; so much so that it came off as obnoxious, either overly pandering or attempting to 'shoulder rub' in a very sophomoric way. We get it - it's video games, it's a very meme-focused industry with in-gags and entirely self-referential. But given all that's happened this year, now seems like the perfect time for you - and those partnering with you - to think back on the year we've had and meaningfully comment on it.
Like a lot of viewers during VGX, the Donkey Kong documentary stood out as the major thing from the show that was most enjoyable and surprisingly entertaining. That's the kind of human element I hope you can bring to this year's presentation: instead of just trailers of fictional characters thanking fans for the awards or random comedic vignettes, just having the opportunity to see the art director go up on stage and make a few specific call-outs to the challenges he or she faced when designing that character and how they feel being recognized by the press and fans for their efforts would go a long way to re-introducing the people behind the games we love.
If nothing else, I hope you can somehow find a way to give developers a chance to think of this as the 'fan' side of GDC - that we are recognizing the talent and hard-work that comes with making games, and if possible, for them to share a part of that story and to describe what it feels like to know thousands, if not millions of people are playing something they made and enjoying that particular aspect of it. There are a lot of unsung heroes in our industry, and while they may get recognition among their peers, I feel it's a much needed time now for us to be singing their praises, as well. It's not easy - especially since you only have two hours to work with and undoubtedly obligations to sponsors and supporters to include specific previews or demonstrations within that time slot - but if you can somehow show us that personable side to the people who make the things that draw us in year after year, you have my vote for another year.