Being at either LV, or Lie Neilson, or catching one, or both is even better at a show is so cool. You can hands on all the tools, and do comparisons if you can catch both. I can read a web page, or glossy pamphlet all day long, and it's nothing like 30 seconds of having the actual tool in hand.
Strangest thing is when you do buy at a show, usually you get 10 to 15% off, and free shipping. So a bonus to buy in the best possible scenario. Used to be in Cinci back when Pop WWing was still something they both had shows in this area all the time. Not so much any more.