as someone who ties at these shows i have the opportunity to purchase a premium table and to be allowed to actively sell my flies.
I choose not to do it because not many folks go to these shows to buy a mounted classic fly. That said, based on what ive been told by other tyers, who have paid for premium tables, they barely break even on the cost of the table based on the flies they sell at the show. If they share a table with another tyer, they might cover half the cost of the table and make the same again, but the guy beside them might only cover his half the cost of the table and thus only break even (This does not include counting costs to get there, stay over, food etc - so the first guy, might actually break even at the show considering the cost of table, and then the other incurred costs as a consequence of attending, the second guy will be in the hole)
The other side of the coin is that i get to go to the show, tie flies i love to tie and share some knowledge and experiences with anyone who stops by to talk to me, all the while, perhaps selling a fly or two if anyone asks to buy one, and not have to pay for the table. Basically i'm providing a service to the show without any renumeration for costs - travel, overnight hotel, food etc.
Again, this is a choice I make.
Now, the organizers, they have to rent the space, set up the partitions, book the tyers, vendors and advertise and market the show for the masses, as well as cart all their equipment across country for shows on the west coast, rockies, mid west and eastern seaboard. Does your $18 for the day, provide them with a big payday at the end...i seriously doubt it.
Is $18 better spend on a few beers, a pack of smokes or some other vice you have - or is it well invested in maybe learning something new or picking up a bargain on a rod, reel, line or a good ol' time with your buddies for the day.....
in the grand scheme of things, folks want something for nothing - but as i tell my 3yo, thats not how the world works.