I probably sounded more confrontational than I meant - but if you want to look at it like that, then yeah it is a valid argument. I've ran one show, and been intimately close to others being ran, so I know the costs and the potential return, in this area of course.
Your London point is only semi valid; the Brits I believe has only been held there once in recent years I believe? Wasn't it back at Nottingham this year?
You have a valid point re judges being paid and expenses - however we are back to the old argument - if you choose to run it as a business with making money as the goal, then its only fit you pay wages or expenses. I'm not sure judges get wages though -
@Big Bear can you confirm the UKBFF payment arrangements as they were when you were a judge?
Most shows are ran with a core of passionate people who want to put on a good show for the competitors and spectators. Oftentimes they do it cheap, or free. I've already got a core of guys buzzing to be involved, and not one of them expects a dime in return.
Trophies can be expensive, no doubt. Just awarding top 3 at our show last year, with 8 classes, the basic trophy costs were just over 1400. Then you have overall(s) to award.
So it isn't cheap - but when you consider even at 15 quid a ticket, every 100 spectators will bring 1.5k in (I think UKBFF charged more for tickets) and even the poorest attended show will bring in 400+ if well advertised, you can see there is a fair budget to play with.
Wasn't meaning to sound too much on the attack on your post, sorry if that came over - I was just trying to make the point that you were stating expenses like they justified everything; they don't