I was at FTU DC and that was my first type of event. While I did not learn a lot, I still had a lot of fun. It was nice being with all the other crazy people.

I didn't think it was "corporate" at all. The one person from SPG didn't even show. What other executives were there? I'm blanking...Certainly I didn't hear them talk. Maybe people didn't like that it was attached to the Freddies?

The presenters I saw were good. I didn't hang out in the halls and pick up stuff there and don't know how many secrets people are going to tell me if I don't know them. Do the people with the secrets really want me hanging over their shoulder when I have little to provide (except for being a groupie)?

I only went to FTU DC because I could drive and the hotel wasn't too expensive.

The differences, in my opinion, are being blown out of proportion. Different people will get different things out of each one. Some newbies really want to learn, some bloggers are there to promote, some experts want to socialize, etc.

In my opinion, pick the one that is most convenient. The differences are probably similar to the differences between linguine and butter and spaghetti and butter...