Good points Moe and as I've been involved in organizing big events myself in the past I know the time and expense that goes into something like the TR Register national. I'm concerned that the high cost of admission now has endangered the club's future nationals. I've attended many times and yes, the cost of entry has always been high but justifiable in the past given the extent of the show. As it was somewhat smaller this time and comparatively quieter I was alarmed how the main topic of conversation appeared to be the entry fee. To see so many dealers sat around with no customers and simply looking bored must surely ring alarm bells. I do speak to many dealers as I have a good relationship with many and those that were happy (and there certainly were some despite what we might get told) do not attend to make a profit, they attend mainly to showcase their company and to meet and talk to some of their customers whom they would only otherwise speak to on the telephone. But there were other dealers missing completely this year as it is no longer perceived to be worth the expense of a stand and others were saying they would not be taking a stand next year.
The TR Register national has been the biggest and best Triumph event on the calendar for a long time. I hope the club can somehow find a way to downsize things a little to get the admission fee down to try to tempt people back. Having said that I would not have selected Lincoln as a venue for any Triumph club but no doubt someone knows something I don't.