On the Zend Developer Zone there's a new post wrapping up this year's php|tek conference that's just finished in Chicago.

Last week PHP developers from around the world converged on Chicago, IL - US, for the 7th annual php|tek conference. Over the course of three and a half days there was a lot of learning, sharing, networking, and all the other usual stuff that goes on at these types of events. As usual, the conversations were great, the food was edible and the wifi sucked. Along the way though, new friendships were forged and new ideas were hatched.

Cal talks about some of what makes conferences great and gives examples like Elizabeth Naramore's keynote, sessions on topics like Node.js and XDebug and developers passionate about the projects they represent. He mentions the evening activities (community building) including the Unconference and Hack-a-thons as well as a mixer/gaming night.

No confernece is perfect and tek '11 is no exception to that rule. However, attendees were exposed to new ideas, inspired by thought provoking keynotes and given the space and tools to create. That is the real value of a conference to me, planting the seeds.