Conferences are almost always just another business venture. While they often look like friendly get togethers, it's more often than not just somebody making mo

Conferences are almost always just another business venture. While they often look like friendly get togethers, it's more often than not just somebody making money off of you, some with better value, some with less. When I worked for one of the big four, I was sent to conferences costing $5.000 a ticket and wondered who would ever pay for this craziness other than the big corps? - And there I met so many young CEOs from various early stage startups with mostly mediocre ideas trying to make the most of it. And all they could do was talking to other startups. Usually, best advise is to fly out to a conference but don't attend. Arrange meetings for breakfast or dinner with those attending and meet them outside, that's where you'll get close to most of the big guys - not at the conference. Had my best meetings always outside the venue.