[EmporerEJ]

Well, I hear the whining and complaining about shows......
And you have valid points in many cases.
And if you are selling the same thing as the next guy, and your variation is your website is blue, instead of green, there's not much to be done.
And there will be an awful lot of "wasted" time, and events at the shows.

But here's the thing.......and I don't see a way around this.
The show's AREN'T about what's the best value in traveling. Clearly, they are the loser.
The thing is, you gather together the industry in a specific group, where they can interact, and work face to face. If you are making deals, there is more than what is on paper. There is, after all, the intrinsic value of talking to your "partner," face to face, and reading all those subtle things you don't get in a phone call, or written contract.
Not sure how you put a price on that. Or the one opportunity, but for being there, that you would have missed. Shows are what you make of them. If you go to get laid, and travel, you'll lose.
If you go to do business, and get at it, that's the value.
You guys act like trade shows were invented by the adult industry....they weren't.
It's just our expectations are much too high, and always fall short of the "sazzz," people think a "porn show," should have.

If I could, I'd go to every one. You never know which one is gonna be "the one," that has the golden deal. If you are there, you may get the brass ring. But if you don't show, you have zero chance.

Shows are what you make of them.