Sorry that is not a terribly good answer.
What did you get out of doing it? I am not trying to rain on anyone's parade, sounds like a great time.
I personally would never justify the expense of something like that based solely on being able to get drunk with a bunch of other affiliates and networks. If I am going on vacation I am going on vacation, if I am going on a business trip I expect to conduct some business and get some benefits.
I understand the importance of networking and all of that, I am just wondering if anyone got anything out of it to support it as an actual business expense besides getting kicked out of bars and hugging toilets. Don't get me wrong, sounds like a fine time... I was just looking to see if there was any value beyond that. You don't need an actual affiliate show that costs money to facilitate that. Everyone could just say lets go to Vegas and get drunk.