ESRI knows how to put on a show and San Diego seems tailor-made for conferences.  If you get a chance to go – do it! The sheer number of sessions and demonstrations assures you will walk away having learned something.  The number of people there (18,000+) from around the world guarantees you will meet new people (and not once have to explain what GIS is). At the same time, it is small enough that you can meet up with people you already know and by the end of the week recognize a handful of new faces. And last but not least, San Diego is a fabulous host city. There’s more to do than you will have time for. And the party at Balboa Park is something you have to experience yourself.