While some of the things I've seen and heard at summer conventions are directly responsible for me leaving the org, in general, I must admit that it wasn't all that bad.
paying high season hotel rates for themselves or their whole family to stay near the convention centreGenerally, if you booked a hotel when the list came out, it wasn't that difficult. If you had serious financial issues, they'd find brothers and sisters in host cities where you could stay at. I know, I benefited from that arragement once.
fighting coworkers and managers to get the time off work
They tell you 6 month ahead. If your job doesn't allow it, you've got a very bad job. Some JWs won full year salaries for being unjustly fired for attending their convention. In the end, its no worse than planning any other vacation.
travelling expenses, buying their own meals for the familyWhen I was poor, we'd bring giant coolers to basically eat sandwiches for 3 days. Yeah, it sucked.
buying new shiny suits and dresses to impress (particularly if you have teenage girls who are looking for their prince), and more...Yeah, that was a major expense. Especially with kids who would outgrow their suits every year.
By the time they come home again and straight away back to work, their nerves will be so frazzled that their stress levels will have sky rocketed!I had made an habit of taking the monday off as well for that very purpose!