Frankly with the choice of weekenders currently on the market, big names (obviously especially WCS AFAIC) do make a difference for me. It's quite simple actually, I don't think I'd go to a weekender if there wasn't any.
In a weekender I am looking for inspiration (i.e. something extra that I don't get at my regular venue), and they never fail to bring it to me... whether it is truly awesome cabarets, classes (workshops or privates), or social dancing...
Ceroc have got some very good teachers too but I have to say that in Scotland we are lucky enough to have Frank to bring them up to us (at the beach ballroom in aberdeen) very regularly, so I wouldn't feel the need to book a weekender especially if they were there. Whereas I'm quite happy to say that I am literally stalking the US WCS pros whenever they come to the UK or France.
