I've generally attended SQL Bits on my own efforts and various technology meet ups similarly.

In latter years I've been able to get funding for attending SQL Bits because I made it clear that I would give a full write up and brown-bag sessions for my colleagues and this would effectively give return on investment.

My previous boss and his boss were both forward thinkers and believed that external stimulus was vital to inspire their staff and so paid for a group of us to go to QCON in London. Again, we were expected to write up the experience and give brown-bags, coder DoJos etc.

If a company won't invest in their staff they can't really expect their staff to invest in them. Well......they can and seem disappointed by disengaged staff. The beatings will continue until morale improves.

I take the view of "Render unto caeser what is due unto ceaser...."