I'll be attending the BPSC as usual this year, I hope some of you will consider making the trip and supporting us, still early days but every year is bigger and better than the last.
The one in Newark is not even 90 min from me but if you can't smoke while walking around I think it somewhat defeats the purpose.
It seems that the Chicago show is the one a lot of people talk about, as well as the Richmond show.
IL does not allow smoking indoors. Thus, the Chicago Pipe Show rents a large tent for smoking. There are lots of chairs, tables etc in the tent. Even a bartender. It is kinda hazy after a few days. Depending on the weather, it could get cool. Don't forget a jacket. LOTS of pipes change hands at the tent.
Winton
The set-up with the smoking tent at the Chicago show works out MUCH better than you'd expect. Being forced to go to the tent to smoke allows you to sit down, relax and regroup. I do more socializing this way and I find that I enjoy the show more with the tent being available than when they allowed smoking EVERYWHERE.
I'll be at the Chicago show, the Columbus show and I'd like to also do either Vegas or Nashville.
If you haven't been to one of the venues that uses a tent then you really don't understand what a minor thing it is to deal with. The only people who really miss smoking inside are the people who have to stay inside for the whole time (vendors, event managers, etc.). At our show we have noticed a notable uptick in wives coming to the show because the exhibit is not awash in pipe smoke.
Here is a video of the 2012 Chicago Pipe Show pre-show in the big tent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS0-Giaec-U
This gives you a good idea of what the tent is like. It is normally less noisy and crowded, but the pre-show is a lot of fun.