Because

they won't let their menfolk go "on holiday" without them They might enjoy themselves. Plus, all of the costs of the conference (entrance fee, dinners, days out) are paid for by the hospitals the consultants work at. They claim the entire cost back as CPD - Continuous Professional Development.

A fair number of people who go to the conference don't attend a single lecture - they're just there to register and claim the CPD points (all consultants have to prove that they're continuing their education or they get slapped on the wrist). But it's all free for them.

So some treat it like a free holiday. And, as there are many conferences to choose from, some only go to the high-class or exotic ones.

To be fair, the one's who rort the system are a minority - most do attend a large number of talks or lectures. But the one's who do treat it as a holiday have one thing in common. They all have young, needy wives.

Cheers
( Legless Mister Stabby - shanks for the memory, Fri 2 Mar 2012, 10:11, Reply)