>>>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.

Jay - I'm one of those types. Not many sheckels in the company's training budget sadly, so the costs would fall to moi. In the past i have attended (on my own dime) the Atlanta Fox show that Kevin Cully puts on, and i thought it was money well spent. But its rare. The Atlanta show had some particular sessions that i wanted to attend so i bit the bullet. Same is true with SWFox but I have not yet decided. For me, timing would be perfect to catch some specific sessions. And i dare say that it may be the last one. Plus the fact the DougH said he's buying beer for all attendees is a plus.