Kathy,
Alot of the time it was very much like being in a crowded situation, where alot of people are talking and it drives you bonkers (well it drives me bonkers anyway). I just would plug up my ear when it got really bad, in a workshop that was crowded in a small room (just that last one). Anyway, it was pretty quiet when someone was speaking, and for those speakers who weren't loud or clear enough for some folks, they had someone who was typing and it was going up on a screen (that's where we saw the spinal cow cord, cuz the guy was making alot of mistakes :X), but I'm sure it was a big help for alot of people. I didn't go to the banquet because I just wasn't up for it but I was told that the music was a bit loud so I probably would've left early anyway. Loud music = headaches for me. All in all, it was a good time tho, I'm glad I got to meet other people from the forum!
~Karen