Been gone a few days and thought I'd see where the thread was going. I've gone to the folk alliance ever couple years just to let people know we're still alive. It's a good chance to see old friends and catch up on news. But I go these days not expecting to get any work. I've gotten more gigs from other performers we've met there, then from venue presenters. I prefer the midwestern conference. There are no formal showcases, jamming is encouraged (there is a showcase where every one who comes can perform a song for their peers). The old international conferences had more jamming before every available space and time was taken up with showcases. I agree that it is easier to get gigs out of town rather than in your own back yard. For one thing you are coming from somewhere and have a definite time frame in mind when approaching a place. Locally, you can also suffer from every booker who ever saw you perform a bad open mike set and figured you never got better...