Are (tech) conferences dead ?

With the new that Apple are pulling out for Macworld in 2010 and Steve Jobs wont be giving the key note at 2009 (why bother going now ?) it really begs the question what do large industry conference have going for them these days. In terms of business booth prices are so expensive hotel prices inflated during the time of the conference and dare I say it due to technology this is little need to meet up face to face.

Or is that the point if we give up entirely on face to face are we risking the fact that business will become so virtual that the very thought of a human meeting will make us run for the hills ?

Which will you attend in 2009 ?

Utz