I went to a home and garden show in the Meadowlands in NJ today and remain unimpressed. It is equivalent to going to a computer show. Why would anyone want to pay 6-9 dollars to go to one, when contractor is more than willing to come to your home and demonstrate their product? Is the price good enough? Why not have the vendors pay the price?
The vendors pay, and they pay plenty to be there. You'd be amazed at the cost of setting up a booth at a trade show. By charging admission, the venue recoups some of their cost and it helps to keep out the rift raft that would just be there to look for freebies.
The advantage of shows is that you may get to see products that your local store may not have. You may get to see three different brands of an item and can go back and forth to make some comparisons. Sometimes there are "show specials" and you can save a few bucks if you order then or at least sign up with the dealer doing the displaying.
Worth he price of admission? Only if you are seriously looking for something and you find it. If you wee in the process of designing or building a house, you may come out way ahead. For the casual browser, probably not a great deal. YMMV
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