Networking is definitely one of the main reasons. It's why I'd encourage anyone who doesn't get tickets (so, given the odds, probably me and most people here!)

Networking is definitely one of the main reasons. It's why I'd encourage anyone who doesn't get tickets (so, given the odds, probably me and most people here!) to stop by one of the local satellite events the Google user groups run. They're good fun, and the larger ones live stream many of the sessions.