My understanding is that you are dead on in regards to the mix of people who attend each. I have heard people say that the LA version (which I have never seen) is very much industry driven and more about doing photo shoots/videos than it is having a good time.

My experience with NOLA, which included several contributors from this board, is that it is just a big party. A ton of people would hang out at the hotel bar in between events. Unofficial dinners were put together by the Dommes themselves, plus bar hopping down Bourbon street once the nights official festivities evened, etc.. the camaraderie was tremendous.

Overall a good event. Good workshops, almost all the Dommes I met were lovely, and the events at Sanctuary are fun, though very crowded.

My main complaint is that they want you to put your working name AND your legal name on the same piece of paper. I expressed concern with the security of this. I felt like they thought I was being difficult when I was just trying to keep myself (and the other attendees) safe. I could say more here, but just be prepared for that.