Speed network is very important, it allows even the most shy a live venue to refine the ability to make their sales pitch :D Yes, some suck, alot of shows suck if you show up thinking your going to strike it rich.
Further, the same speeches I listen to every year - i'm the manager of this program and its important to sit in the trenches. Maybe the goal is to not listen to the speeches but listen to the people in the crowd to determine a direction to promote yourself to them.
I goto the shows to show presence, to say "HEY, I'M A REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS SITE AND YOU CAN FIND ME HERE".
Love ya. And love the QWEBEC show, Michael does a great job
Thats my ramble.