First and foremost, I don't think independents should have to pay an entrance fee to the conference itself.

That said, coming from Canada, airfare to anywhere in the US is probably going to be between $400 and $800 depending where and how much notice you get to book. For instance, booking with Air Canada for a Thursday departure in October to Los Angeles and staying until Sunday will cost me $760 CDN. That's the chepest and Los Angeles would be about the furthest away. American Airlines would cost about $801 CDN, so roughly the same. (Just as a point of reference that $801 CDN was $681 US.)

I figure a hotel just about anywhere is probably going to run you at least $150. So another $450 for three nights, plus taxes, tips, and travel to and from the airport.

If I don't have to pay for any food, I might be able to squeak through at about $1500. If I have to buy food, beverages, and maybe want to go to the baths, hire a hooker, or go out with friends, then $2000 is more likely.

My budget probably isn't a good rule of thumb. My impression is that Americans can fly within their own country for a lot less. Can't you guys fly Southwest for a song? In Canada we have one airline pretty much, so they call the shots.

So a Canadian attending a US show is probably going to pay around $2000 and Americans could pay considerably less. I think when I worked at Mancheck we pretty much always considered a show would cost about $2500 per person.

Cheers
Michael