Try explaining that to your wallet.

Either way the money is being spent for tickling.
I will have to disagree with you there, and we will most likely have to agree to disagree. My money is spent on transportation to see friends, room so I can be near friends and food so I can eat. The registration fee is paid so I can attend events that my friends are going too that I want to be with. Not one dime is spent on tickling. To lump it all as "tickling" to me I can not agree with because then I might as well say the money I pay for my internet connection at home is money being spent on tickling, and my rent, and the price I paid for my computers, even though I use them for work, contact and live in, I use them for the TMF, videos and friends coming over to play.
But even if so, 500 dollars for 5 days is not a bad deal, I always get there a day early and stay as late as I can on the last day.
As far my wallet, it has no concerns. I go to see friends, people I have connections and friendships with. I can say this honestly, I have gone to events without even thinking about play. I have even attended an event recently (Bella's 2010) where I did not play at all, by my choice, and still had a fantastic time because of the people I was with (granted I was in far too much pain to enjoy myself by hanging out with a few more folks) and not one thing coming to gathering entitles me or anyone else to a play session.
NEST is a social event, first and foremost. It is for like minded people to meet, what happens after that is up to individuals, but nothing is promised or implied.
There is a play party at NEST, but NEST itself is not a play party, I guess I can kind of explain it like that.
But again, I am not saying there is anything wrong with play for pay parties. Perhaps one day I may attend one, I just at this point and time in my life can not fathom doing so.
We all need ways to act out our fetish, and if we don't have a willing partner then events like the foot parties are great. But they are not for everyone, just as gatherings are not for everyone.
Its not a competition, no person is better or worse for attending either event. It is all a matter of personal preference and being comfortable in whichever setting you choose.
Rob