Fighters also give you a chance to play interesting races /templates. You really gimp yourself with any ecl race if you pick any other class.
I currently play a Half Celestial fighter 6/Sword of Andros 6 (a custom class based on the defense of children, a few offensive abilities but mostly...
I will be attending, (my schedule cleared up)
I will be playing the gladiator for the first session and
I want to play Ravenloft if there are any slots open.