Hmmm - and to think that I was told by 12clicks that I was obviously no longer in the business because I stopped going to shows

You mean there are other people who actually feel the same way I do? You must not be in the business either ;)
I didn't go in 2007, but in 2006 and this year, 2008, I was in Vegas and saw the people I wanted to see but didn't attend Internext. I see others as I travel for other business and non-business related reasons. I've met pretty much everyone I want to meet in the biz.
For the vast majority of my "career" I've been an affiliate. I went to shows to meet people and/or spend time with people I like. I was the customer - no need to kiss butt unless I wanted to ;)
Now I can see everyone I want to see w/o the madness, crowds and I hate to say, the fakeness of the shows.