Part of my job as ASID national president is to attend these conferences, and I am happy to do so, for it is at their annual conferences that the heart and soul of an organization is most evident. It is where you see beyond the public relations hype and the glossy publications to what the organization is all about. Serious business is conducted and social events provide times for relaxing and having fun.
Education is paramount and for many, the reason to come to a convention.
Another is networking. Mixing with both the leadership and the grassroots members of an organization provides opportunities for a better understanding of the group. It is only recently that the presidents, presidents-elect and executive directors of the different organizations have started attending each other's events. It's not a coincidence that associations have recently begun collaborating. Familiarity breeds understanding and appreciation.