What makes a good seminar or presentation?

[David T.]

Hey BP,

Whenever I have the time, I like going to seminars and presentations which I've always enjoyed and usually managed to get a little more educated, but over the last while, any that I have gone to here in Atlanta, while being very well attended have been very poorly presented and a real waste of time with little or no beneficial information for the attendees other than a "networking opportunity" and rant from the organizers about the products they're selling. 

I come away from these things, especially the well marketed and "information packed" sessions feeling I've been had as far as my time is concerned or maybe that I have unrealistic expectations. Mostly, we don't see the information presented as promised in the marketing collateral, which never seems to effect the reputation of the presenters, because they always seem to be able to maintain good attendances.

So let me ask you veteran networking and event attendees; in your opinion, what makes a good seminar or networking event? What do you think are the three most essential ingredients?

Thanks in anticipation.....