Other than my gas/tolls & hotel room being covered by the event, I don't get any financial gain from the event. I don't own or contribute to a blog. I don't even do MS & have very few credit cards; a lot of my points are from my derriere actually being in a hotel bed or airline seat).

Other than the Marriott breakout session that I moderate (do not work for Marriott & no compensation from them; just a Marriott elite) I've yet to make it to any of the sessions because I'm busy selling raffle tickets from the time I arrive mid-day Friday up to the time of giving out the prizes mid-morning Sunday, from very early morning 7am until very late at night 1am.

I've basically lost my voice by the end of the weekend & am exhausted, but it's worth it because I'm at a conference w/ a lot of like-minded travelers, enjoy the energy from chatting w/ people I know (a bit like a class reunion) & meeting new folk, introducing people to each other & giving some advice on how not to be overwhelmed by all the info being tossed at them, and knowing that we're contributing to 3 good charities each year.

Now, if someone would like to buy me a drink (or throat lozenges!) at this year's seminar & if that's considered financial gain, I'd accept & the heck w/ the ethics of booze/meds as payment

Cheers.