Keith Casey has posted about user group involvement in this year's CodeWorks conference and their selection of a local speaker to round out their local event.

Of course, the "names you'd probably recognize" aren't the only people doing cool and amazing things in the PHP Community. [...] But here's the thing...We don't claim to know every local community perfectly. We don't know who in your groups is doing what cool and amazing things. We don't presume to know who the hidden gems are in your group, but you do.

He also points out the discounts that user groups can get for their members - 20% off just for being part of the group and another 20% off if you get your tickets during the Early Bird period. You can find out more about the conference and some of the stops its making along the way on the CodeWorks website (or you can just sign up right away).