I’ve seen several posts today about FlashBelt, the second-annual conference for middle America Flash developers. A couple weeks ago was Flash in the Can, a conference for Canadian Flash developers. I’m all for meeting my fellow Flashers, but when I’m looking for regional Flash goodness, I look to a user group. When I look at conferences, I really would like to go to conferences that cast the widest net as far as speakers go as well as attendees.

Now here’s the real rub for me… Aren’t most of the conferences mostly the same speakers and the same hard-core attendees? Was there a decidedly Canadian feel to Flash in the can? (I’m really asking, I haven’t been to one yet). Are regional speakers given preference at these regional conferences over the big names that are from all over the place?

While on the topic of Conferences, Which ones do you see as being the best? MAX was fun and interesting, but that had little to do with the sessions. Flash Forward has never lived up to my expectations (with a few notable presentations). Just looking at Flash in the Can and Flash Belt, I’m already more interested in these conferences though just because they have websites that appeal to my senses. At first I thought that was like buying soda because of marketing, but on further thought, I am into Flash because of rich experiences that DO engage my sense. Can a conference that bores you from the start with the site really capture what Flash is about?

As a last dig, just because I can’t resist… Don’t the midwest people have it pretty easy being equidistant from the confrences on the coasts? You aren’t really that far from either (said as a someone born in the midwest).