AGU got so big that I was lost last year (Dec 2008). I did not go this year because: HW was headed to sea so we could not share hotel expenses; I spent my time and money this year going to an Antarctic climate meeting in Spain and the SCEC meeting, both in September. I'd like to try the GSA annual meeting again; first time since I think 1993; GSA has not grown, is 1/3 size of AGU. But, no "free" beer, and back in 1993 it seemed less interesting. GSA is the better meeting for structural geology, though.
Chris