>>And I guess the thing that gets me is that without the company backing it's a no-go. I guess I understand that - money is money - but I always felt that the attendees were there strictly because they were "into" this stuff more than me. Now I find out that they probably wouldn't go if it cost them personally. We're not so different after all... <g>
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>I would go even if I had to pay my own way! What is learned from conferences, both in the sessions and in the bar afterwards, is worth every penny you spend for a conference. The contacts I have made at these conferences have directly affected some turns my career has taken, including getting a 6 month contract gig working for Microsoft back in 2001.

You are always so upbeat. What is your secret? <g> So your expenses are covered too? I would like to hear from those poor shmucks like me who work for a company, but if they want to go they have to pay their own way. Any out there? Probably some independents, but they will look at that as a company expense, so I'm not sure I really count that one.