Why do Card Shows SELL cards and not SHOW cards?

[rkrolewicz]

I read a couple of threads recently about the challenges in finding fellow card collectors and about how in the past some card shows had trading tables. It got me wondering why at CAR shows ("Cruise Nights", etc.), the registrants come to SHOW their car, and the spectators come to SEE others' cars. But, at CARD shows, the registrants/dealers come to SELL their cards, and the spectators come to BUY others' cards.

I hope I am not confusing everyone.

Does anyone know of Card Shows, past or present, that not only SELL cards, but also SHOW cards? I always thought how nice it would be if I could go to a Card Show and look at others' collections. I'd also like to SHOW my collections to others. Why doesn't this happen?

Does anyone know of card colllectors clubs in their areas? Wouldn't it be cool to meet once a month or so, and share/show our collections to and stories with others? Why doesn't this happen?

I wonder what would happen if I rented a table at the next Card Show in my area just for the purpose of showing a part of my collection, meeting other collectors and asking them if they wanted to start a collectors club. When I brought up this idea to the owner of a local Card Shop (who also rents a table at Card Shows) he said that the dealers at the Card Show would not like this. It seems to me that anything that would bring more people to the Card Show would be good for the dealers.

I would love to hear from others on this. Thanks for reading.