If you're into the whole digital media thing, then get to The NAB Show, the event for media, entertainment and communications professionals held annually in Las Vegas. This year it's being held April 18 - 23.
While NAB is the National Association of Broadcasters, a trade association that represents local radio and television stations and broadcast networks, the show is much broader -- covering "audio, video, and filmed content across multiple platforms -- from televisions, radios and computers to phones, the big screen and beyond."
NAB's a big event, with 100,000+ attendees and some 1,600 exhibiting companies. Beyond the exhibition, NAB includes 15+ conferences, with 600+ educational events and sessions, covering content creation, management, commerce, distribution & delivery, and consumption.
For working pros, NAB also offers serious digital media training with the Post|Production World Conference -- 5 full days of sessions in 11 parallel training halls, with 230 unique sessions on the latest techniques and practices for producers, directors, editors, designers and new media professionals. These include 7 different certification courses for Adobe (After Effects, Photoshop), Apple (Motion, Final Cut Pro), Avid, and Mac:
While the sluggish economy may discourage travel, it also can help reduce costs -- Many of the official partner hotels in Las Vegas have lowered rates by 20 to 40 percent below earlier offerings during peak show dates, and are running other specials.
NAB is also offering free exhibits-only registration -- enter the Passport Code: TP01
See my updated list of Digital Media Conferences - 2009