Conferences offer the chance to join forces with others in pursuit of a common goal. In most teachers' daily routines, this kind of collaboration is not a priority; in many cases, it is impossible. For this reason alone, the conference experience can be extremely beneficial--and that is before one takes into account the access to fresh research, the new resources available in the exhibitors' booths, and the networking opportunities. All the knowledge one is ever going to come across at a conference is available from other sources that are a lot cheaper. It is the "inspiration" that makes a conference valuable. It is connecting with other educators who are facing the same challenges. It is realizing that the advocacy battle is not just in one's school or district. At their best, conferences inspire teachers to reach higher than they thought they could. Still, the growing proliferation of conferences and the bad turn in the economy have made the decision to attend any given event harder than ever. So what should teachers be looking for in a conference? How many should they go to? At what point in their career should they attend? How should they prepare? And what should they be sure to do once they have arrived? For advice on these questions and more, "Teaching Music" turned to a few conference veterans.