I've fished FLW as a co for the last two years and didn't have a guaranteed boater. The key to it is to register early in January for the whole year and it will help in priority as well but going to a event you can ask the director and he will recommend you someone that might need a pairing partner or ask everyone at the registration meeting. If looking at the Ozark division for BFL the coordinator is Anthony Wright and he can be looked up on FLW.com.
Hope this helps!