I actually attended one a couple of years ago and yes it is pretty worthless and no none of the TV "stars" as Than Merrill calls his self in the commercials is there.But if you can attend and not get sucked up into the hype who knows you may pick up a pointer or two.

10 votes on a post gets you a gold star.

When we purchase a 120K property here, it will received full gut (studs out as you say) and when Humpy-Dumpty gets put together again, it will be with modern insulation levels, air sealing, Energy Star (tier II or III) Windows and Doors, LED lighting,    Since we are buy-n-hold types, if we sacrifice anything  due to budget constraints it will be trim level - something we can easily change later.We are at the painting stage of a full-gut, deep energy retrofit of a 1100 ft^2, 2-story attached unit {fire coded common wall} and are heating the entire unit with one 2000W electric baseboard at the moment (heat pump will not be commissioned until trim is complete).

Put some star bit screws into the window sash.

The difference between an average sales person and a rock star is experience and perseverance, its rarely a matter of natural ability. 

Similar to "machete order" for Star Wars, someone needs to compile a list of the canonical mortgage meltdown films and the proper viewing order. 

There is camping there, but I think you'll have to check what available/open for when you'll be here, as I think the weather might make it inaccessible, but I'm not sure.There's plenty to see in the LA area - Hollywood walk of fame (where all the stars are on the sidewalk with people's names), Griffith observatory (which I think is open again, but verify that), La Brea tar pits (yes, legit tar in LA), museums, Reagan presidential library, missions, etc. 

Welcome to Biggerpockets @Steve Star.

I have investigated a few of these types of places, Star Dust and Builders outlet.

BP starred out his last name, go to the website and see why.