If I had the disposable income- (after spending an exhorbitant amt for a new home, 4 mos ago, disposable income, already, seems like a memory from the distant past), I would love to hook up w/ -RJ-, Joker, Namenut and other and be a part of the NP contingent at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. That being said, this is my take on conventions, in general.
I have never attended a domain name convention (or (and internet based convention, for that matter), but I have been to several Broadcast/TV/MotionPicture and Music shows, in addition to a number of Consumer and Industry-specific Electronic conventions over the years, ie NATPE, NAB and NAM. If you have disposable income and time, they are nice to attend- the presentations and roundtable discussions are all worthwhile- you, defenitely, get more out of being there in person, than you do from 2nd hand reports because, if, for no other reason, you have set aside the time to focus, specifically, on the info that is being offered.
However, as far as business and making contacts that will increase/enhance future business is concerned, the conventions I attended were not, really, structured w/ the small business or independent freelancer in mind. They were good for seeing new products, picking up product info, (it's all right there for you in one central place), seeing some of the faces behind the names and you can pick up some great swag at a few , select shows. (Also, you'll always have some nice looking girls working the booths to look at.):hehe:
I made contacts, but mostly w/ other guys like myself- independents who would like to generate some business at the show, but who were, essentially out of place in that regard because the real business that goes down at a convention is between the manufacturers sales reps and the buyers and purchasing agents. The business action at a convention takes place between the movers and shakers- the guys who go there for the express purpose of selling a product and hooking up w/ existing customers or, the company representatives who are buyers and gothere to research new products and work out deals, h2h, that will fill a defined need.
I'd venture to guess that when the show closed, at least, 90% of the business cards I handed out never made it as far as the airport.
I can't address the specifics of T.R.A.F.F.I.C and other domain name/internet conventions, as I've, yet, to attend one, (consumer electronics shows are the closest I've come to one.) But, that is my take on conventions, based upon my experience of attending somewhere between 50 and 100 conventions over a 30 year span.
Go if you can afford it- it is certain to be worthwhile and probably would be alot of fun! But, if you are not a major operator of don't have a specific product or service to pitch and haven't a well defined idea of who you will be pitching to, I would suggest that you don't squeeze your budget or take out a small loan to get there and that you don't assume that the trip will pay for itself based upon future business that you will derive from the contacts that you may or may not make at the convention. :imho:
Still, I wish I could make it.