I came away enabled to perform what I learned. These were either local, regional, or national conference workshops on topics that I was particularly interested in or needed in my position at work. They met some needs, but not all. As the library field is constantly growing and changing, one's needs do likewise. Workshop was on puppetry, which I use in preschool story time.
Programs are always a mixed bag.
I usually come away with some additional knowledge, but the amount of knowledge I gain doesn't always seem worth the time invested. I attend conferences and workshops based on topic and proximity. Those I have attended have been of such quality to make travel worth it. Mostly served as refresher courses. I was just beginning library employment and needed very basic information.