Real Talk About Conference Speaking.

Not to be a downer, but that "free" trip you got by having your conference talk accepted is pretty far from free. TANSTAAFL, and all that. Here some additional "costs" you may have to consider. (Organizers: think about the huge commitment your speakers are making when they agree to speak. Try to make things as easy for them as possible.)

• Time off. Some companies are happy to consider conference-attending as work days. But if your company isn't, or if you're self-employed or a student, or have already done a lot of speaking this year and your company can't really cover any more, then you'll be using your PTO or otherwise covering these days yourself.
• Travel costs. Even if the conf offers reimbursement for travel costs, most do so within a few days of the actual conference. If that's the case, you're going to have to float the money until the paperwork and funding goes through. And unfortunately it's not uncommon to have to "remind" the organizers to process the reimbursements. This can be reduced by having the conf book (and pay up front) for as much as possible, but not all confs offer this and this isn't an option if you're traveling with a SO and want to sit together on the plane.
• Travel hassles. Travel can suck, particularly if you're going via airplane. Your odds of encountering that suck increase with every layover and international border.
• Eating. If you're traveling, you'll probably be eating out. There is almost never a per-diem covered by community conferences, so be sure you've budgeted for your food. Also consider any tourism costs if you'll be combining the conf with a few actual vacation days.
• Talk preparation time. How much do you value your time? Somewhere between minimum wage and your hourly rate? If you have a talk accepted, your new hobby is preparing that talk. Writing and researching and coding demos and practicing in front of people. Some magicians can write a 25 minute talk in 3 days. I sure can't. My talk preparation is like water in a pothole - it expands to fill all available time and space.
• Partner time. If have a partner traveling with you, odds are they won't attend the conference with you. But you'll probably plan to spend time with them; perhaps dinner each day and a few days touring after the conference. Be sure to work this all out ahead of time so that all expectations are met.

Related:

• You're Paying to Speak

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