With an "outsiders perspective" on the recent php|works & web|works conference put on by php|architect, there's this review from UnixReview.com today of Peter Levin's experience attending the conference.

Any IT manager unsure of whether he should be using PHP would do well to attend a conference such as this. Seeing the language, warts and all, and hearing some of the disagreements among the developers may be a bit disconcerting at first, but ultimately it is a healthy process. Seeing firsthand the vitality of the PHP community can't fail to impress.

He talks a bit about how PHP has grown, but hasn't lost touch with its roots, and how well all the talks were put together/presented.

One final word of advice for IT managers who need to bring their programmers down a peg or two - send them to a conference such as this. The level of expertise on display is a humbling experience.