A Centennial conference devoted to a particular writer isn't, from what I've heard, quite like the usual sf convention. While there are some of the things that go on in such, the main focus is going to be on that particular writer, and you'll have a lot more symposia of discussions about the writer's work, interpretations of same, biographical information, Q&A between audience and scholars, etc.
TT: For someone with your interest in Heinlein, I think I'd suggest going if you can... you're likely to find out more going to this one event than you will visiting any number of sites, or reading any number of individual writers/readers words on the man and his work. There are likely to be plenty of fun things to do, too (probably showings of films based on his work, and quite possibly some of the Tom Corbett, Space Cadet series, for instance), but you'll be around people who've studied Heinlein for years and yet who are open to discussions, debates, and new points of view. This sort of thing tends to be very stimulating, and give a person a whole world of new things to think about concerning that particular writer. Could I afford to, I'd definitely be going -- it's likely to be well worth it!
