It is more than just that meeting new people, sharing, and learning new tips to make your sewing world better. My mother and I go two times a year and this is our time together and I enjoy seeing the ladies/men and each time a go I learn something new, and plus all those people in one place they will have patterns to share. I learn about other adventures, give it a try and don't take so much stuff why not take about 3-4 ufo's to work on. Why would you not what to spend money on yourself are you not important to you. Hope this helps in making a decision.