Hey, Moriarity- quit with the negative vibes, will'ya?
This is a great opportunity to look at what the manufacturers bring, take a look at some lines of gear that you may not have seen, or maybe just not seen the full line offered.
You can sniff, scratch, try on, fiddle around and ask questions at the manufacturer's booths. There will also be various LDS (Local Dive Shops) so that you might see what lines the various stores have, maybe do some comparison shopping.
Check out the resorts and islands that you have heard of... there's a whole big world out there connected to the arm-of-the-ocean that we call Lake Michigan!
I have found some great bargains at retail dive shows (versus just at DEMA, the "pro" show), there are several of them around the country~ I have tried to repeatedly attend them all. Some of my finds were spectacular ($180 price ranges masks or fins picked up for 50% off) and some were just plain good deals on little trinkets. As with any such endeavor, you have to know your prices before you can negotiate or know when to jump.
Go, have fun, pick up some brochures. Don't forget~ there's a whole big show there beyond the show sales floor! Check out the seminars and films, too!
Save some money. Park down in the METRA lot near the train station two blocks North, then walk over to the expo center. Convention center parking is the cost of a new reg set- and have a snack before you get there!
