Hi all. This year I'll be attending the OUSA convention for the first time. From what I know about European conventions, the fun of a convention depends heavily on what you make out of it and whether there is a big folding room for free folding. My favourite parts of conventions have always been the free folding times since I hardly find any models on the model menu that interest me (there have been more interesting ones at the complexfolder convention in Lyon). If you are a complex folder and really want to have fun, look out for other complex folders and just try to sit on the same table with them, the fun comes by itself. I well remember this one night in Germany when Nicolas Terry told he found a new triangular base he wants us to design something with, it was pure fun. On the first convention I attended I took not a single class but spent most of the time in a tiny room with two other complex folders. We didn't talk much and folded a lot, it was a great convention for me
Nowadays when attending a convention I don't expect to learn this fantastic new super duper complex model but rather go there to meet people. But, I've also learned complex models at conventions, mostly in the times between classes split up into several sessions. Sometimes from CP, sometimes with a real folding sequence. Just don't expect an official class for it. There are several reasons no one wants to give a complex class, the most important being that most people are just not at your level. This isn't meant bad but even if there are complex folders they may use other terms, have other experiences and so on. And if you have just one person in the class who isn't knowing all complex manoeuvres there are it is slowing down the class a lot. Furthermore you can teach very complex models only to a small group. In a big group you will inevitably loose some people along the way or slow down to a speed that no one will finish.
So all in all, conventions are fun. Go out look for interesting people (displays may help to find them), try to fold with them, the rest happens by itself.
PS: I'm searching to meet up with folders in San Francisco between June 27-29. Anyone interested please write me a pm.