How does a SANS event look like

[nils at hemmann.de (Nils)]

I've (unfortunately) never been to any bigger conference and I wonder
how these SANS events look like.
Let's pick the up coming SANS Cyber Defense Initiative 2009 
http://www.sans.org/info/47963
Do I need to take one of the classes or are there also some publicly
available talks etc..  ?

Who has some experiences to share?

Thanks,
Nils