This will be my fifth and I've really enjoyed each and every one of them. For my money, the Philadelphia AHA Conference was the gold standard. The hotel and layout were superb, the exhibition center was huge and the acoustics were good and the Philadelphia beer scene was very, very impressive.
I will have to disagree about the acoustics. I could not stay long in the hall where they held pro night or club night due to the noise. Otherwise it was a great conference.
I didn't have any problems with noise there at all. I had more of an issue in Grand Rapids.
I don't recall how many conferences I've been to, but my first was in 2008. so, let's see how many years that is......more than a few but not as many as I hope to get to over the next few years!
I have a great time, and see old friends and meet new ones every year. I'm really looking forward to this one again.
Since my husband has only gone once (he hates being away from home in the summer), I go solo but it doesn't ever feel like that. I enjoy the seminars, going on brewery tours (I always go early just for this), seeing friends, judging the NHC, and enjoying the best beer I've ever had.
It really is a great experience, and if it's in your backyard you may really regret missing it. I live in the middle of nowhere, without even a freeway within 150 miles, but I still manage to go almost every year!