Ask HN: Your thoughts on Demo conference?

My startup recently got accepted to launch at the DEMO spring 2012 conference next month (I believe they pick about 60-70). We didn't get a scholarship so we would need to pay $8k to launch there.

We only have seed funding so $8k is a pretty expensive proposition for us. What has HN heard about this conference? Is it worth the price tag? Any insight much appreciated, particularly if someone here has attended.