Doug's got it right...your career is YOUR responsibility
There has been a lot of talk on a lot of the blogs over going to PDC, the cost of PDC, etc. There is an argument made that the cost of an event like PDC is prohibitive, preventing folks working at smaller employers, or even the self employed from attending. This sort of begs a question: Who is responsible for your career?
Another hearty "hear, hear!" (see the comments section for more) Too many people make their careers someone else's responsibility and then kvetch when they get passed up for a promotion, raise, etc., or when their employer doesn't do what they want (send them to training, to a conference, etc.).
Let's face it, the days when employers would pay to send you to a class, then pay you a bonus for each Microsoft certification test you passed are largely over. I worked in the consulting field during those days, and when I passed the tests, you bet I took advantage of the bonuses that were offered. But I can't imagine complaining had they not been available. Likewise, if I could get an employer to cover conference costs, that was always a nice bennie, but if I really wanted to get to a conference, I knew it was ultimately my responsibility to find a way to make that happen.
If you want to go to PDC (and I think that most Microsoft-oriented developers should), then find a way. Beat the bushes for discounts or passes. Find others who are going who can share hotel costs. Find a way to sweeten the deal for your employer by offering them something useful in exchange for helping you get to PDC. Do something that will get you closer to the goal of getting to PDC (or getting whatever other training, etc. will advance your career). But don't complain that PDC is "too expensive" or too time-consuming, or that your employer won't pay for it.
Bottom line: if you're sitting at home instead of in L.A. in late October, it won't be your employer's fault for being stingy, and it won't be Microsoft's fault for making PDC too expensive. It'll be your fault for not finding a way to get there, and ultimately you will be the one who has to play catch-up on the information provided at the PDC. Not that playing catch-up is impossible, or even that you have to go in order to keep up. There are probably many good reasons for not going, financial ones included. This is not about beating up on people who really can't afford to go to PDC, or who have more important things to do with their time and/or money. It's just to say that if you really want to go to PDC this year, you can find a way, and complaining isn't it.
If all else fails, you could try blegging. ;-)