We have tried to explain it as best we can on the registration site and on the various threads in this forum, but here it goes again... hope this helps you understand the importance and value of TDIFest.
Let's start with event venue rental (the best in town at a great rate of $99/night for rooms), insurance, tent rental, other facility rental, overhead costs like shirts, name tags, office supplies, printers, internet fees, food, gratuity on said food, awards, certificates of appreciation to our supporters AND last but not least, generating yearly operating funding for TDIClub to be AD FREE.
What do you get for your registration? An awesome venue with an incredible event list that we've spent hundreds of hours of our personal time planning since this time last year. With your registration, you get your t-shirt, name tag, a custom made TDIClub pin, access to the vendor displays, entry to the show and shine, participation in the raffle, discounted meal options with an excellent guest speaker, seven technical sessions with forum gurus and a party with FREE FOOD and a band on Saturday night.