Un-Conventional

When did conventions become conferences? Is there a difference between a conference and a convention? I don't know, but I can tell you that going to a conference is always a grueling affair. You wander around smiling from morning to night, you travel with colleagues about whom you learn more than maybe you wanted to, you yack with sales folks in the exhibit hall because you feel guilty that maybe they're feeling like getting a booth was a waste of time.

Perhaps I'm worrying too much about the feelings of the booth exhibitors.