Why go to Nationals..?

... if you are not going to beat anybody? I pretty much want to go. I am close to NQTs in a few events (I know I can swim some events even if I don't make time). But looking at past results, swimming the QT typically puts you in the lower 1/4. Looking at the schedule, I'd end up swimming the slow heats of one event, 2 if I make time, a day. Is the overall experience worth the cost of the trip? (I did lurk in all last year's Nationals threads, but I'd like to hear it all again. :) )