The actual W3AO 2011 -- yes, 2011, last year -- QSO total was 12,516.  There are two relevant QSO totals every year.  One is what is listed in QST.  The FD event rules limit the GOTA station to 500 QSOs for points credit but does not limit the total number of QSOs GOTA makes.  Indeed, more QSOs are beneficial, in further training newcomers.  Otherwise, if we were limited to making only 500 QSOs, we could shut down and pack up that desk Saturday evening or Sunday morning when we reach 500, to no one's benefit, neither the newcomers or the event itself.  Bottom line, QSOs beyond 500 are bona fide FD QSOs; they just do not count for points.

For anyone who cares about the all-time QSO record, as they benchmark against it, challenge it, ponder it or surpass it, and considering that it is an absolutely unofficial record, after all, paid attention to only by those having it or going for it for their own satisfaction, and that Field Day is not a contest, consider that 12,516 is the actual number to shoot for -- W3AO/KE3Q in 2011.