Industry Conferences: Worth the cash?

I am going back and forth on trying to decide if attending an industry conference is worth the money. I shouldn't really call this event a conference, but rather a "Forum", as labeled by the association. The cost of this event is $500 (for non-members), and speakers/panel discussion go from 3:30-5pm followed by a cocktail reception. I graduated from a college that doesn't have any alumni that is involved in this particular area of the investment industry, so I do feel this would be one of the few times to put myself in front key industry professionals. I am worried with the event being so short on time there will be little chance to network. I interned for a company in the past that hosted a conference event; the only time individuals had the opportunity to mingle is during the speaker breaks. It appears this forum only has one break planned, yikes.

I read in a past, related, post that someone suggested volunteering your time for admission into the conference (individual was still in undergrad). Would this work for someone who recently graduated? Suggestions on pitching this to the association? Don't know unless you ask, right? Would this event be worth the money just to say you attended for future conversations?