>I think this is also an effect of conference dilution.

I don't think this is the problem, actually.

Really when you think about it, there aren't that many conferences. In the North American market, there basically is DevCon, eFox, and WhilFest. One could also count DevTeach, although many of their 200 people are SQL Server and .NET.

In the past, we had DevCon (3000+ people when I first attended), FoxTeach, WhilFest, SouthernCal, MidWest, Advisor VFP Con, and even a number of smaller events, such as the Double Impact tour (some of our larger events had about 70 people and in total we certainly drew in a lot more people than DevCon does now).

So considering that the 2 US third-party conference are holding their ground quite well, how come DevCon doesn't? I think the answer to that lies in the value that is provided. There are less speakers and less sessions on less days. Also, the networking oportunities have gone down. There is one short BBQ on the hotel's front lawn (or golf course in this case), and that is it. I think the networking makes at least half the conference.

At the same time, I do not think price is as big a deal as people think it is. The attendance fee may be higher at DevCon, but overall, flights and hotel cost are similar, and the biggest cost factor (being out of the office) is the same everywhere. I think if people got good value, the price is not what would hurt them...

Markus