For me New Orleans is better then Miami for two reasons.

First the cost is to High in Miami.

Second New Orleans give a conference on VFP With speaker like you John or Eldor Gemst and at the same time you get access to a conference on SQL Sever. If I do not like the speakers presenting in VFP you can checkout the SQL Server conference.

As for thing to do! Who as time, during the conference, to do any thing? You only have the time to do thing like play tennis :) or go at the pool for some sun.