You, and a lot of others on this list, don't get it. This isn't a for-profit enterprise like most conferences. This is a hobbyist show, put on and financed by a hobbyist on a shoestring budget at considerable risk. I would put up serious money that Sellam in the best years does little more than break even on the shows he does, and has probably lost money on some of them. Moreover, if you factored in all of the time that he and other expend putting on the show, and value it at any reasonable level (or even at minimum wage), these shows would show a substantial deficit. All this talk about exhibitors attracting dollars is absolute nonsense in this context - no one is trying to or even expecting to make money on these shows (though it would certainly be nice if that were the case, and I'm sure that Sellam was originally hoping it would grow into something big and profitable). Rather, those that participate merely hope that there is enough continued interest so that the show will continue for another year. I have exhibited at VCF for the last five years. Since the first year I have felt that I am part of the show and have a personal stake in how it turns out. That's because it isn't a show run by some corporate monolith trying to turn a profit and wring every possible penny from the participants; rather it is a show run by a hobbyist, for other hobbyists. So, when Sellam started asking the exhibitors to pay a small exhibition fee a few years ago, it made perfect sense to me, even though I'm a cheapskate (as I take it many others are on this list). Like most other exhibitors, I am invested in the show and want it to succeed and continue, and by contributing something financially (albeit a very small amount) I am doing a little bit more to support something that I really enjoy and look forward to. The reality is that most exhibitors would much rather attend the show as exhibitors than as non-exhibitors (why else would we do it?) so the notion that they should free ride on attending the show because the show derives a benefit from their presence really doesn't fly in the least bit. Sellam is the producer and the exhibitors and speakers are the "co-producers." It's our show; only the vendors make money.