John,
As far as I know they still do it for the main one which is now based at Ascot.
Don't think any of the others do it but as PT says our shows are totally different in layout the the US ones.
First is distance, in the US they have to go literally 1,000's of miles to get there, In the UK people ***** about going 200 miles.
In the US they have vendor stands and model stands. Vendors are trade or semi trade and models can be a combined stand or just a single modeler with his models on show. [ I hope I have this right ]
In the UK we have trade stands and club stands.
Trade stands are out and out companies selling anything from a centre drill to a full sized Bridgeport. Some come with that you call 18 wheelers in the US rated at 42 tonnes gross.
Club stands show the models of the member belonging that club, there are no single owner stands.
Club stands are free and they also get so many free tickets for members who are showing.
Trade stands pay, That's based on position and size, a large stand in a premium spot can cost £3,000, about $6,000 so it's all taken very seriously here.
The punters on the door also pay.
Shows are usually 3 days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, no one leaves until knock off on Sunday, That's written in stone.
According to PT, NAMES this year netted 1,600 paying punters thru the door on Saturday.
Harrogate which is in about 2-1/2 weeks if on par with last year will nett about 24,000 thru the doors over 3 days.
Last year we had 12,000 on the Friday alone.
I can't see how they could attract more people to the US shows given the distances and catchment area concerned I feel it all based on scale and is unfair to compare the two.
.