Here's how you can convince your boss that you aren't going just for the continental breakfast and the "networking" cocktail reception in the evening. Just tell her "This conference is a great way to learn about the latest advances in Web development from some of the best talent in the field. And we can't afford to be left in the dark, with all the heavy competition we're getting these days, now can we?" The great thing about that pitch is it's all true. The Web Developer Conference 2000 is aimed at keeping your company informed about the very latest developments in our rapidly morphing field.

Streaming Media
For us streaming media types there will be a session about "Next Generation Web Design: Flash, SMIL and SVG" by a panel of vector graphic pros. As a loyal SMW reader you already know that streaming vector has an 11 to 1 advantage in file size over GIF animations (and streaming video for that matter). Now you'll learn what the very latest developments are in this hot field.

DHTML
But as you know, one can't live by Flash alone. You may have a boss someday (today?) who wants you to know other site enhancing techniques. Scott Clark, managing editor of the Web Developer's Virtual Library, is one of our own greatest gurus on the subject and he'll be there to give you the JavaScript and DHTML developer's edge.

CSS
Have you mastered Cascading Style Sheets? If not, Matt Slaybaugh will help you attain CSS nirvana. "Cut download time in half -- and site management time even further -- by learning how to implement Cascading Style Sheets on your Web site."

Win at Wireless
If the folks in Scandinavia (big-time wireless users) are any gauge, we'll soon all be going to a fiord to get our e-mail. Yes, wireless is growing every day, and unless you want your site to be the only one left that isn't wireless-compatible you'll want to be sure to listen to the folks with the words "all", "every" and "any" in their ventures' names: David "AllNetDevices" Haskin, Thomas "AnyDevice.com" Johnson, and Venktesh "Everypath" Shukla. Every bit as wise are the other speakers for this session: Ian "Wysdom Inc." Collins and Evan "Aether Systems" Deoul. Our own wandering wireless wizard Edward Grossman will query this prominent panel.

More
As if that wasn't enough to cover in one day the Web Developer Conference 2000 has even more to offer, so check it out.