Rubi Con is a yearly conference held in the Detroit area in which all facets of the information technology world, (those trying to get in, and those trying to keep you out) call a truce and get together to share information.
As both the hackers and the professionals trade off information with each other, they become better at what they do, and as such, make it more difficult for the "opposing side" to keep you at bay.
The conference, 2003 being the fifth year, is typically held over the first weekend in April. Presentations being early on the Friday afternoon, and run non-stop until the closing ceremonies Sunday afternoon.
For more information, http://www.rubi-con.org/root.html