whilst at trip to HAI in the states i met a guy who was at the time "mr bond" he was there looking to purchase a 900 for a contract.
Personally i bought a new 480 and 600 from expo shows i find them a better place to look at all other models and types ,you can usually get some good [or bad] feedback from other owners ,and its relaxed not lke putting your head in the lions den by visiting the dealer and playing whats like a top trumps game with specifications
i do however like visting fly in type shows especially Helitech for other reasons than rotor rookie mentioned
Ease it getting there less than a hour by heli 3 to 4 hours by road
i like to see other aircraft arriving and departing it adds to the flavour of the show
Chance to meet up with other owners and get their take on helimatters
its a lot easyier to say hi i am fred i flew in with xyz over there did you have problems with the so and so ad about blades, how did you get on the other person knows you are likely a fellow owner not some water mitty
and will open up more also you make new friends