Make Startup Conferences Great Again

There are some great conferences out there (looking at you MicroConf!). The great conferences are a very easy choice for me each year because I know the calibre of people that will be there and I have made some awesome connections in the past.

However, many of them now seem to be focused on the organization that is running the conference. It's easy to see through the panels and the highlights of specific things they did. I feel like I'm watching people pat themselves on the back the entire time. I've also been to events that were focused on investors, entrepreneurial support organizations, and everything but the actual Startups...

Now, after COVID some friends in the space are reporting that attendance has dipped at some region and state level conferences. I believe this is because of budgets, the possible recession, and some realized that virtual can be ok too.

However, conferences are an opportunity for people to get together. To make connections that last a lifetime and to connect with others in horizontal spaces.

So I'm curious:

1. what has been the best conference / summit / entrepreneurial event you've been to and why?

2. What's the most memorable talk / panel / workshop you've ever been too?

3. If you don't go to these types of events, why not? What would make you go to one?