For those of you who have attended a gifted conference, what have you/ your family gained from it?

We just pulled DS8 out to homeschool. Despite being a gregarious guy (at least to adults), he doesn't have many/any friends. And he increasingly wants to keep to himself. Hes not unhappy, but I'm now wondering if I can find him a peer by giving him exposure. DH and I are introverts, so this is really coming out of our comfort zones.