In a Directions Magazine editorial (read the comments) Joe Francica revives an old debate on whether GIS conferences are worth attending. I have written on the topic in “Too many GIS events, not enough sponsors” and “NJSLOM 2009 – Is Exhibiting Worth the Expense?” I will add here that while I have not missed a single biennial MAC URISA conference since 1994 (I exhibited in 2002, 2004 and 2006 and presented in 2004 and 2006), I may sit the 2010 conference out.

In 2010 we network, exchange ideas and conduct business online. We market online. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, RSS provide (if you find the proper channels) a signal-to-noise ratio unattainable at the best conferences. Concoct the right mix of online geo media streams, and going to a GIS conference begins to feel like a tedious chore.

If upon returning from a conference you must catch up with what’s going on in the industry, the trip was probably not worth it.