You bring up a very good point. A very grim view of Steemfest would be minnows frontrunning the attentions of dolphins and dolphins frontrunning the whales'. There's no denying that did not happen, sad as it is.

Which is why i try so hard to talk to everyone regardless their "status" because for me, the value of Steemfest lies not in the monetary rewards but rather the relationships gained from it. The money might sustain me for what i needed to do but the relationships and the connection fills the void in me.

Even if in the worst case scenario of the whole Steem blockchain tumbling down, at least i have gained connections and know people that i would otherwise never meet in a million years.

Again i see it as a "demand equality" question we see time and time again on the platform. Those that did not attend Steemfest whether by choice or by circumstance might cry foul at those who did saying its a collusion. When it just so happens that because we meet each other offline, we tend to pay attention to each other's post. A technically accidental collusion but does that mean now to maintain "equality", we must restrict our interaction?

And do we personally go to Steemfest with plans of collusion at heart? Only ourselves know, cross our hearts and hope to die...

It was a great pleasure to meet you in person. Seeing the length which you took to get yourself to Steemfest not only inspired but somehow challenged me to audit my dedication towards the platform.

Lets keep in touch on the blockchain and off and hope to see you in person again in Steemfest next year.