@mpalmer & @jomaxro Thank you for your helpful responses!
The reason I ask about separate forums is because both of these communities already exist on two different platforms, each with their own user bases. Many users have accounts on both platforms, which is obviously not ideal for anyone. I am wondering if I can combine them together on Discourse while still giving our VIP users their separate area with its own brand and that is clearly and visibly different in style or template than the default forum for all users.