It's about the women. Wait, sorry, that just slipped out. Over the course of the weekend QuakeCon attendees get to meet fellow players, their favorite webmasters, the creators of the maps and modifications they love, and even the brains who created the game itself. QuakeCon is built for it. Then there are the seminars and talks from id Software and prominent members of the Quake development community.
Nothing's more inspiring than some tips from the pros.
Usually the highlight of it all is a speech from John Carmack, arguably the best 3D coder in PC gaming, where attendees can get a personal glimpse inside the game engine and the mind of its creator. See last year's talk for an example of what's to come. In the end, it's an exhausting affair. If you're not beaten to a pulp by the continuous weekend of Quake playing, the stifling Texas heat will probably render you unconscious. If you're lucky, you'll live to make it again next year.