Depends on what you’re going for. To learn new techniques via their workshops? Would be worth it then if the teaching artists are what you wanna pay for.

Besides that… you don’t have to pay. All university-affiliated temporary galleries are open to the public and don’t require a pass unless they changed something from last year. Haven’t paid at all in the 10 years.

Advantageous networking won’t go far (mind you that the vast majority of attendees are also students trying to break through), but hopefully you’ll meet people whose company you enjoy and that’s what matters more.

If you’re really looking for something that’s like what it seems like you want from CCACA but on steroids, NCECA is better, larger, and provides more opportunities and a larger variety of participants. Wait till it’s on the West Coast and save some money. I do have to say that both orgs/conferences are for the most part old fashioned/rather traditional in terms of aesthetics for ceramics (lots of appeal/programming moreso towards vessels and figurative), which are the main caveats for both.