I recently dropped my IDSA membership because the costs are too high and other than the occasional magazine they do very little. My previous employer could care less about having people go to conferences and would have laughed in my face would have asked them to pay my dues and conference fees.
The last trade show they sent me to required that I buy my own ticket (southwest) and find someplace to stay. Luckily I had family in the city where the event was being held so it wasn’t a problem. They paid for my pass into the show (probably $25 or less) and told me to take lots of photos (with my own camera) and bring back lots of materials (ie. pay for shipping of what I couldn’t carry on the plane). They’re such a joke. Thank god I don’t work for them anymore.