>>>>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.
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>>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.
>
>I am in the same boat. The one time I got to go, I planned and saved to go down with my own money. The CEO got talked into paying for my plane ticket by higher ups, and the 2 business days were considered work days for me. So, I did not pay all the expenses, but a lot of them. I also took my vacation down there at the same time. After stating all that, I am not sure if I am in the same boat as you now. :-)

Well maybe you are, but you travel first class while he goes steerage.