As ISTE 2011 Gears Up, Why Attend?

Hey, all,

As of this moment, according to the ISTE2011 Conference ning, there are 17 days 14 hours 4 minutes and 8 seconds remaining until the conference convenes at the Pennsylvania Conference Center in Philadelphia, PA. My contributions to the event mostly center around the SIGVE Virtual Environments Playground, but I'll also be on two panel presentations, one a concurrent one hour session and one a two hour workshop that's a joint venture between SIGOL and SIGVE, the latter of which I "chair," more appropriately described as "throne." See my events here. Come as you can.

Anyway, I'm wondering: Are you going to ISTE 2011? If so, why? If not, why not? 

In my new job as Virtual Learning Specialist for a large urban school district (well, not that large by some standards, but with 78,000 students, give or take a few), I am granted only one supported travel event each fiscal year. I can attend others, but on my own dime. Which ones should I attend? Are conferences even needed anymore?  Can't wait to hear from you.

Cheers,

Scott