The only thing I will say about going to shows is that sometimes you'll find that people are more willing to do business with you after a face to face meeting. And I chalk this more up to e-mails getting lost in spam filters than a sense of "I need to see you to trust you" kind of thing. So, sometimes going to show will get you a point of contact that you've been trying to make for months.

At the same time, the shows can be really hard to have a conversation with someone. I recall last Phoenix Forum in March trying to get some business done with someone who was really interested, but I couldn't compete with his cell phone and the dozens of people who continually interrupted us with "Oh my God, you're here, I haven't seen you for ages."

I do think there's value in going to shows, but as an independant webmaster, I'd just have to pick and choose. Internext in Vegas ... it's straight, not worth it, Internext in Florida ... it's small, no one goes, Phoenix Forum in March ... always been a good show for me, but now with a Gay Phoenix Forum in October, I'd probably pick the latter (if its going to continue), GAYVN in San Francisco ... looks like an industry award thing more than a show. The smaller shows that pop up every other month, I just couldn't justify going to any of them. As far as the European shows go ... those people are still, for the most part, afraid of the Internet ... it wouldn't be worth going.

Cheers
Michael