Some people just go to LAN's to play games with friends and hang out. I know there is talk of a 400 person lan in March/April in Indy, so maybe that will be more your style. More prizes, less personal contact with real people?
We went to a 200 person LAN in Indiana at a College campus, was fun and met alot of people I now have on my steam list to play games with. Also got food provided and won some prizes and got free energy drinks. Just because its big doenst mean you cant meet people. I just have a hard time paying for a Lan if its just casual gaming, thats what a basement if for to invite friends over and just game no tournies.