ballad of the overconferenced

Is it just me or are tech conferences happening a little too often? There was the South by Southwest (SXSW), North by Northeast (NXNE), etc. I get occasional emails about eBay developers conferences. The Commission Junction affiliate conference is coming to California in September. PayPerPost tried to have their own conference, but switched it to coincide with one of the big blogging conferences when their attendance numbers fell short. Now we've got the Microsoft MGX Conference just around the corner in happening Orlando, Florida.

If I attended every tech conference that came my way, I would likely live on the road (or in the air), and would spend more money on travel than I could earn on non-travel. So what's a burgeoning (but financially-limited) techie to do? Well, for one thing save some cash on hotel stays. Sure, you could stay at the Inverness and blow a load of cash at the cocktail bar each evening, but you could also leave the "elbow rubbing" at the conference and wake up unfettered by the drunken promises you would have made the night before. Instead of renting a car, try finding a hotel that is within walking distance to the conference. Not having a rental car in a strange city can be a pain, but it offers you the chance to check out the nightlife on foot (or avoid the traffic and gas expense by letting others drive you around). Many hotels also offer free shuttle service.

Do some research before you book. For example, the International Plaza Hotel in Orlando recently advertised their Microsoft MGX Special Rate of only $119/night on PayPerPost. In addition, they're within walking distance to the convention center. They offer shuttle service to all of the big Orlando theme parks, too. So you can run out to Disney World for a night at Pleasure Island if you'd like. There are also lots of restaurants along International Drive, so your need for a rental car is practically eliminated. Just get your shuttle from the airport to the hotel and your set.

It often seems like spending money is a status symbol while attending conferences. People will blow $30 a night open drinks without blinking an eye. And yes, some of those networking expenses are important. However, keep in mind that you are also there to learn some new skills, and that spending more than you needed to at every conference could potentially negate any additional money you may have made using those new skills.