Conferences

I think the picture above answers whether or not I attend conferences. I have been lucky to attend four SCBWI conferences so far. Each experience was unique and almost all of them had bonuses I didn't expect. (Friendships, getting to meet an icon, getting my feet wet, etc.)
I have registered for Austin's Regional Spring Conference in April and have already begun my preparation. Although I won't be attending this coming year, I do plan on going to another National SCBWI conference. To me, the education of the workshops alone are often worth the cost of admission. Plus, there is nothing that soothes the solitary artist's soul like meeting hundreds of kindred spirits in a powwow of epic proportions. Upon returning from my first national conference, a family member asked about my trip. I told her I felt like I had "found my tribe."
Everyone gets why children's literature. You get peeks into the minds of those at the top of their game, hints at how to achieve your dreams and may even meet an idol or two. It's definitely worth it to me. I hope the next national conference I go to will be the 2009 SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles. I haven't experienced it yet, and I'm curious to see how the two compare.
For those who are starting out, I would recommend attending a local SCBWI regional conference first just to get your feet wet. I've heard several art directors remark that the quality of submissions and samples they receive from those in SCBWI seem to be above and beyond the rest of their slush piles. I believe it's because many of us go through the trouble of educating ourselves in order to put our best foot forward.
Another thing to consider is that cost is much less for a regional conference than a national, and they often have the same kind of workshops and speakers. If you're lucky to live near a very active SCBWI chapter (I know the midwest chapters, Michigan in particular, are very active!), chances are your conference experience will be better than most. Go hear what those with experience have to say, maybe show your portfolio in a contest, and network. Who knows, you could meet the agent who signs you, or the art director who finds they just have to work with you!