Prices for so many things have gone up. No one gets rich holding a live show - at best, a show will pay its expenses and we’re really impressed if a show can raise a modest amount of money for a charity.
Halls are getting more expensive both in raw and total cost. Showholders take a risk that they will sink significant amounts of money in on top of the many hours of work.
When I am budgeting a show, I’m looking at total estimated cost, which includes travel, hotel, rental car, and transport which well dwarf the entry fees on even the most local show I attend. (Gas alone is more than my entry fee to the nearest show to me.) At times, I also consider if there’s a possibility for sales (or judging perks) to offset those costs.
Do you consider the total cost when you’re planning? Will you attend a more expensive show if for example a more expensive hall makes your other travel expenses more affordable?
Things I factor into the expense is the overall quality of the show. Judges, prizes, possible turnout. For a small show I might look into doing a one day entry of $50-65 depending upon how the classlist is split, but for a destination show I could go as high as $100 (although I would wince at it!).
I do factor in travel expenses. I like places I can fly to more or less directly. And I like to see areas that have available food and lodging. I know that sounds obvious but I’ve been at a lot of small shows in even smaller towns. :)