I've heard a lot of good things about the World Science Fiction Convention from writer friends of mine over the years.  It apparently is among the more "serious" of sci-fi conventions, which means more cool intellectual discussions and less mindless fandom.  Next year, it's in Reno and right before burning man, so it can basically be done *on the way* to burning man.  (update... it looks like the two events are actually a week apart)  (normally, it's in some far-away place like Melbourne)  Apparently the rate to attend is $160, but it goes up to some unknown value tomorrow.  I'm going.