Herzlichen Willkomen,
Welcome,
from Colgone ey, not by any chance working for an american OEM?
It's true that courses not only in germany, but as it seems in the whole of europe, are costing an arm and a leg. But IMHO the ones I attended are well worth it. Possibly in your case they're tax deductible, but that's something your tax consultant (Steuerberater) can tell you.
As for a big meeting, I would be totally attending.
