I have been thinking about it too, but it is just too expensive for me as well as a timing issue. But I suggest keeping an eye on the local chapters. I was able to go to one of the smaller conferences in North Carolina and it was great to be around other creatives and spend some time focusing and learning in person.
@Fey-Realme I've considered applying for grants to be able to afford to go to the winter conference, but I can't find any that I qualify for :// I would have to save up for an entire year to feel financially comfortable enough to go.
I know SCBWI has scholarships, grants, and contests for free entry to the conference, but they're pretty competitive. Definitely worth trying though.
I really want to go and would share a room but I want to see how much money I make by the end of the year before deciding if I can afford it. The early bird rate ends in January so I'll definitely make a decision before then.
I'm tryna go to it for a portfolio drop off. But I live on long island so I'm just a train ride away from it.
Iād be up for splitting a room then if you wanna, uh, wait for a thousand days or so 
I need a few years to build up the funds AND the courage to feel like I belong there!
@Fey-Realme I saw this and thought OMG I would love to go. I feel I'm not truly embracing managing justifying the cost! Though I would jump at the chance if the opportunity presents itself. Such a dream... that and Bologna! I hope you get to find someone to go with!
Erin Richardson
instagram.com/erinrichardsondesigns21
www.erinrichardsondesigns.com
@Mimi-Simon This is a good way to keep the doors open! How cool it would be to go. I would also want to add a couple days over at Milkwood in addition to the conference. That would be a dream trip for sure.
@ArtistErin what is Milkwood?
@Mimi-Simon I just stumbled upon it! It's Sophie Blackall's artist retreat she created with her husband, they have this lovely property in the Catskills mountains in New York State. They offer residencies, workshops, and opportunities for learning and developing your work. They took this old milkbarn and refurbished it... they can take groups of 10 at a time, or single, I think double occupancies also. Check it out! www.milkwoodfarm.org
I'm in the NYC area and never heard of this event 
Great to know! I do a lot of cute illustrations and sell at events but tend to cater towards anime crowd, specifically fans of chibis. I do cute and colorful. But would love to attend 
I have been thinking about it too, but it is just too expensive for me as well as a timing issue. But I suggest keeping an eye on the local chapters. I was able to go to one of the smaller conferences in North Carolina and it was great to be around other creatives and spend some time focusing and learning in person.
