This is a post about last year, and it is pretty much still true.
http://lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268542
The new art glass show that was on this year for the first time, has apparently moved to the Sonoran glass school for 2016. This could turn out to be a great thing. And yes: do go to the flame off!
I will be there in 2016 for nearly two weeks. I am also a bead collector, and this is the one time of the year that a big international group of collectors comes together.
Tucson is awesome!
I have written a book about the Tucson shows, with lots of interviews of people buying and selling. May be some familiar faces in there..... It can be downloaded for free here:
http://beadmuseum.com/news.html