There have been many times when I after spending extended time around someone, that I came to like them less
Precisely. I have found that useful too. Much easier to build an opinion in person.
The cost of these to programs as far as the parties go are way exaggerated. Most will take 5 or so affiliates to drink at a bar for a couple hours. It doesn’t amount to as much as it’s made out to be. There is not much of the glitz left that used to surround these things. The days of expensive presents are long gone – those who receive them generally receive them during the year as bonus for most player generated etc.
The days of debauchery are over. These days the presents you bring home are likely a baseball cap and a pen. And how much beer do you actually drink in a couple of hours?
The partying is the people, not any fancy huge parties. The only place that usually puts on one big party is Partner Logic, and the open bar there is usually limited.
There are industry parties that operators throw for each other and that are independent from the programs. Sometimes I find tickets for those around.
It’s not what it used to be, BB1. People are generally not sponsored, a precious few are and those would receive some other comps anyway.