>-- If they went trolling around the UT or experts-exchange or wherever, than I would factor that into any decision to write them a check for their services. It wouldn't disqualify them automatically, but it would factor into the decision of which of the half dozen potential conferences I should spend money on this year.
>
>Then, I'm afraid that you would wind up missing all of the conferences this year. All of the conference organizers send e-mail to potential attendees.
>
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Please re-read my paragraph. "... I would factor that into any decision to write them a check for their services. It wouldn't disqualify them automatically..."

Not sure how this statement logically follows: "Then, I'm afraid that you would wind up missing all of the conferences this year."