the conference was not organised by WDS... conferences of this...

the conference was not organised by WDS... conferences of this ilk are organised by professional conference organisers, who flog the idea of a 'mutual admiration talkfest' to governments (promote the big company funded 'free lunch' and particularly the service companies to boost business by connecting with the explorers. The big companies (explorers and services) are asked to 'sponsor' aspects of the conference (essentially underwriting the jet set lifestyle of the conference organisers and ensuring there is enough money to ensure the food trough for the free lunch brigade is always full). WDS could not organise a chook raffle, let alone a conference.