Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,588
Seminars are not JUST for noobs. But noobs will get the most value as the presenters are not telling attendees anything they couldn't learn by reading Flyertalk for a few weeks.
Lots of vets go again and again for the socializing. Of course that can be done more efficiently and effectively at local DOs but some like to rub elbows with the bloggers.
And as for the bloggers, they are not hated that I have seen. They are generally helpful people who, for better AND worse, have decided to try to monetize their points and miles knowledge and experience. As 'professionals' they do open themselves to criticism, particularly when they behave like those credit card hawkers in airports who holler at you about getting a t-shirt and a free flight for signing up for a credit card with them. But money makes people do all sorts of things they wouldn't otherwise. <shrug>
IMHO and ymmv.