I do not see this as a debate. It is more like a comparison of what prices to expect and what topics to expect for the price. I think we all agree that shopers who want to go to a conference need to weigh travels costs, conference fees, and the number and subjects of likely topics to make an informed decision. If I lived close enough to commute to any of the conferences I would have to factor that into my decision due to low/no travel costs, for instance.
Have we established that we have someone going to ShopperFest, for sure, so that we can get fresh feedback from a forum member.? Would also like to see feedback from someone going to videocon who is not already an established video shopper. I am curious because I know that established video shoppers will revel in swapping tales of video adventure, wherever they gather. But it would be nice to hear from a video newbie about that conference. (Remembering, of course, that a video newbie, set down amidst video veterans, is going to hear great shoptalk that will be to their advantage, no matter the setting. Same would be the case if a route shopping newbie spent 2 days among veteran route shoppers who were talking shop, nonstop.)
I think we can all agree that information about relative travel costs (transportation, lodging, meals), type and numbers of topics covered by conference fees, additional paid topics of interest to each of us, and the convenience of the dates is what we need to be "educated shoppers" of conference events. If I report that "A will cost $x" and you say, "But B provides topic 12, which I think most shoppers need," that is not a debate in the sense of an argument. It is simply a set of comparisons that may help forum members weigh the merits on a case-by-case basis. It says nothing about the absolute superiority of any one conference.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.