Huh, all of the above = interesting. I've definitely learned my lesson about cost-effective conventioneering connected with my day job, as I'm still carrying around $1,000 of debt from a conference two years ago. Great conference, but not worth the debt.

If I can ask further, what did you find useful/important about them in the beginning? Sense of camaraderie with other writers, fans of fantastic fiction, etc.? Meeting editors and Big Name Authors?