My best guess is that he was avoiding something in LA. Whether that would be a summons, some sort of threat that he felt was credible (remember they did just have that sword-swinging episode at CC), exposing something that just wouldn't look good (such as a black eye, a sprained ankle or even a cold sore or something that would be considered out-PR) or whether he is simply trying to establish Tommy Davis as an acceptable public replacement for himself whenever he decides to leave, or if he thinks he could get jail time and wants to ensure that he can retain control even from behind bars is the question.
I bet that he didn't plan to come to Clw for the event, but either heard rumblings from the membership about why he wasn't there in LA, or he heard that this message board and others were reporting his absence and he wanted to re-assure the public. Or both.
Apparently it was also announced that there will be ~40 new ideal orgs opening between now and LRH Birthday. It might be a crazy thought, but perhaps OT IX and X will be released. There would be no better "indicator" of expansion than opening 40 Ideal Orgs and announcing some other arbitrary stats like 10,000 on Solo NOTs and 10,000 Full Basics completions or something. What better way to prove to the faithful that Scn is winning and Anonymous, the psychs and squirrels are all losing? Alternately, we could see a revamped set of red and green vols, updated tech dictionary (which has been under pilot for years in Tampa Org) and a bunch more lectures on CD to fill in the missing spots in the Materials Guide Chart. Or, as often happens after such hype, some completely unimportant minor release, like special new clearsound iPod systems, complete with DM's voice chanting, "Hip Hip Hooray" so that those on extension courses can give LRH a standing ovation in their home every time they complete a lesson.