Techie conferences have different styles, and one of my favourites is DevTeach. Run by my MVP colleague Jean-Rene Roy ("JR"), DevTeach has a welcoming, family atmosphere. DevTeach Montreal (from December 1-5) is professionally-run and offers top-notch technical content (in English) in a fabulous bilingual city.
My seven years as a journalist for Montreal radio stations CJAD and CJFM taught me how the latin heritage of French-Canadians contributes a large measure of warmth and joie de vivre to everything they do. The great thing is that you can experience this feeling without leaving North America.
Right now, JR is offering some price discounts and a nice load of freebies. For example, you'll get $1000 worth of software (Visual Studio 2008 Professional, Expression Web 2 and the Tech-Ed Conference DVD Set). If you're attending TechDays Canada, you can knock $350 off the conference price. Also check for a special for Canadian user group members.
BTW, JR provides free wireless Internet access at his conferences so you don't need to be out of touch with the office during the sessions.