I have to agree with Sarah regarding SSC. Some amazing people (Jeff Moden for one) helped kick my learning of SQL Server in to high gear when I became active on the site in 2005 having joined earlier and been nothing but a lurker.

SQL Saturdays have been great as well. Still haven't gotten to a PASS Conference yet and looks like I won't until 2015 now. But hey, can't complain about the money I am earning out here in the desert.