VCF Midwest update?

Hi There was once a show in California called The West Coast Computer Fair. When it first started it was one of the most interesting shows I've ever been to. They had a really nice mix of large vendors and small companies. Some even just had exhibits without any specific sales ( they did advertise ). Over the years, it did evolve and then died. First I think it was that the fellow that originally ran it sold it out. This meant that it was intended to be a solid profit operation. No more loss leaders ( ask a successful retailer what a loss leader is ). Another thing happened at about the same time. Strong union forces in San Francisco force the shows to only use union riggers to move material from docks to displays. There was no way the little interesting exhibits could afford this. What the owners of the show didn't realize then was that they should have subsidized the smaller exhibits. It quickly because another trade show that one couldn't get their company to pay one to go to. No one would want to go there just for hobby sake any more. Let the Vintage Computer Fair evolve but remember that it is intended to be a hobby related show. It should be enjoyable for all that go there. From my past experience, there are several changes I'd make. First, I'd restrict the size of exhibits to not much more than equipment size. I'm not much into museum exhibits for these kinds of shows. If people are interested in something, they should stop and talk to the exhibitor. The display should not distract from the machines and information ( despite trends I've seen at the recent festivals ). If I was expecting such empty presentations, I'd go to the Tech Museum in San Jose or the Intel Museum ( I've only been to each once and see no reason to return ). Exhibitors should have a place to sit that is not in the aisles that the public use. There should be a place for the public to stop, sit and chat with the exhibitors. This was really clumsy at the last VCF. I realize that it is a space issue. I also realize that some like the "crowd pleaser exhibits" that use several tables to display a few items. I have no problem with large exhibits like the analytical engine or the Dec machine. I just feel that space should be used more to create interaction between exhibitors and visitors and not so much to create the one pass Tech Museum type exhibits. As for collecting from exhibitors, I have no issue other than making it clearer to the exhibitors that they'll have to pay such fees. The first time it was a surprise to me as well. The fee amount wasn't an issue. Just my thoughts Dwight