For a group that large, I would either upgrade one or two others with me, or sit in coach.

I did have a chance to fly first when two of my partners would be in coach. As they were on the committee to decide my income for 2001 I unobtrusively handed over my credit card and bought them upgrades to first class. I don't think they know to this day that I paid to get them the UG and they think I work some sort of secret magic with airlines. But that's too pricey for upgrading 11 people.