Good article Jeff. I would highly recommend attending a WordCamp for sure. That's how I got hooked on WordPress and WordCamps in general. I've been to over 15 WordCamps as well as organizing WordCamp North Canton for the past two years. You meet great people, attendees and presenters (and organizers) alike. I'm made some really great friendships from going to WordCamps. The wealth of knowledge you gain is worth every penny and every second. I just presented at WordCamp Toronto and had a great time. Made lots of new friends and reconnected with some old ones and learned so much.