Yeh, in this case that'll have to be done. You could add these to the
instructions in the blog post that announces the session - some steps
on how to have VMs and what packages they should have installed to make
the most of the hands-on session. 
Yes.. I will write an announcement blog with prequisites and guidelines to be prepared. :)

We did notice that an hour was too short for hands-on sessions. One of
mine ran for 2 hours, and the other went on for almost 3.

I agree. I think 2 hours should be fine. If not, then we can have a follow up.
I will talk to Geoffrey today regarding the agenda and will include itd in the blog post

--
Vipul Siddharth
Intern, Red Hat
Mob: +91 8884300084
Web: vipulsiddharth.blogspot.in/