I think that any time you bring folks together with a common interest and throw them into a strange but nice environment and add good food, alcohol, and/or music, you are going to have good times.

I honestly can't say its unique to the FT community... in addition to my participation here, I've gone to several art-world get togethers as well as gatherings from other internet communities and the bonds are the same.

Common interests breed all sorts of interesting relationships!