A typical conference will for me cost transportation, lodging, and meals for several days, in exchange for sitting through a lot of sessions that are poorly presented by poor or inexperienced public speakers, and one or two good ones where I do pick up a nugget or two of useful information.
Generally the talks that are polished and well presented are by speakers who are somewhat well known and are really there to promote their latest book.
As an introverted person, the social aspect of conferences is not an appeal.
The last conference I attended, I bailed after the opening session on the last day and went to a local gym for a couple of hours, then headed to the airport. That was the best part of the whole experience.
A former colleague used to say "if we come home with one or two new ideas, it will have been worthwhile" but I always end up thinking "there's got to be a better way."