If there’s one tech conference I try to go every year, it’s Gnomedex. I go for the people in the seats more than the people on-stage, and I really like the vibe that Chris, Ponzi and company maintain.
As Chris just announced, this year conference will be in Seattle from August 9th to 12th. Sadly, I’ll be sweating to the oldies in Malta, so no Gnomedex 7.0 for me.
There’s apparently a Very Special Gnomedex 8.0 back in Des Moines, Iowa (Chris’s hometown, I believe) in January, 2008. I don’t think I’ve even been near Iowa, so that’s a reason to go.
DarrenBarefoot.com 
Iowa in January? Cold, snow, wind chills, and… COLD. Like Fargo, but without the funny talking.
Des Moines has a rapidly changing downtown core though, more so since it was last in the Midwest. Maybe trying to do this just ahead of the Iowa Caucuses(aka the formal start of the 2008 presidential run) that are in January as well?