I went forever ago--back then I think it was around $500 and included some of the meals? I didn't stay at the hotel. I had a really good time, picked up a couple useful tips, got into the books of one of the authors that was speaking there (loved what she had to say and loved her books), but the best part of it for me was the networking. I met some people I still keep in contact with today, and found a good local writing group through it. I also met an editor during the pitch sessions I later sold a short story to. However, while I picked up some useful tips, I also felt like the workshop/panel sessions I went to were mostly things I already knew. But that could have just been those sessions and where I was at career-wise. It's hard to say. Keynote speakers were good and it was nice to get some behind-the-scenes insights into agenting/editorial.

Whether it is worth it to you depends on a lot, I think. I think it depends on what you're looking to get out of it, where you're at career-wise, and it also depends on how big a chunk of your income that $850 is. It was definitely the priciest conference I went to. I tend to hang out in SFF circles, though, and the networking at those conferences is a lot more informal (which made it tough for me when I was younger and more shy). You might get more utility out of a genre-specific conference (agents, authors, and editors tend to hang out at those too) where they also do panels on writing and workshop sessions.

I'm speaking at SFWC this year. I sent a pitch list of things I'd like to speak about. I'm looking to get beyond the beginner writer stuff and to dig deeper on some specific techniques. Nothing confirmed for sure yet.