While we spent a lot of time just sitting, I still enjoyed meeting the parents who did show. It has been a few years since I have had negative encounters at these conferences. For the past few years, parents I have met have been encouraging and supportive. Even those who seem to "have it in for me" have been polite and open to discussion. I don't know if it's an overall change in the people who are attending, something that I'm doing differently, or the climate at our school in general, but it certainly is better than the mean (and sometimes drunken) encounters that I have experienced in the past.
These positive experiences have made me look forward to conferences despite their long days. They help me to feel like I'm part of something greater, and they encourage me about the future.