My experience with "music conferences" has been generally positive. NSAI, for example, puts on some good events like songcamp and symposium. While NSAI is based in Nashville, the organization welcomes writers of all genres of music, and offers opportunities for networking, education, songwriting rooms at their facility and on down the line. They have song evaluation services, and they do a lot for artists rights and copyright protection.
Song camp is designed to help writers improve. There are several levels.
Symposium (may be called Songposium now, I dont handle those details well) is an annual event that is like a conference of songwriters, with educational opps, lots of concerts and shows, and some pitch to publisher opps. Most NSAI events include a contest of some kind. Based on what I've heard from you, you stand a better chance of winning than most.
HEY AW-How about a Conference? We could all get together and Laugh at or with Jack! I'll hide behind a cup of coffee.
Brad I hope this helps. For my part-get to a big city if you're not in one already, and start playing out, a lot. As an artist, that's your best shot, even today. Avoid anything that sounds too good to be true, but play in front of as many people as possible, even if you get paid nothing. Balance your time between writing, playing, and finding other places to play.
