I'm building a company focused on APIs on node.js ( a kind of Google Apps script but for all APIs -not only Google ones and not on Rhino as Google Apps Script-).
Just to know why people attend to Google I/O. Is it only a google tech conference for discovering Google tech news 2 days before everybody?
Is is a business networking event? Is it a "business with Google" event?
Which population goes there? Only Developpers using Google technologies? Is it open to start-ups which can show off their techno?
I would come from France to go to the Gluecon 7 days after, so I would like to know if I have a good reason to spend $900 to Google I/O (If I have the chance to book a ticket the 13tth of March !!!)
I think the main reason to go to a conference is to immerse yourself in a certain type if culture. I attended a query conference last weekend and I came out of it so motivated to work on new things. It is easy to get bogged down sometimes by the daily grind at work and these events feature speakers who can show you a different side of things - things that excite you. And the best part is that you are there with others that share your enthusiasm. It is sometimes infectious.<p>I would say that the type of person that attends a Google i/o conference appreciates the cutting edge in terms of mobile and web technologies.
I'd also love to know the answer to this. I'm a freelance developer (Node.js/Python/Go) in SF Bay area and am wondering if this would be a good event to attend for building relationships that will lead to more freelance development work.