Hype hucksters are a feature at those other big shows - everyone's trying to bring you over to their booth with some gimmick, usually a loud one. As a result, it provided the lowest stress level of any major trade show I've ever been to. That created a lot more space for small publishers to display their wares, attract serious bookseller interest, and pursue co-marketing deals. Covers of novels also have come a long way. If small publishers want to compete in bookstores, we can't afford to throw away first impressions on a cover that's anything less than outstanding.
Erotica is in.
A number of publishers have really carved out a specialty here, offering a dozen titles here and there. Quirky little niche books from small publishers cover fascinating ground. BEA was extremely fertile ground. I even found half a dozen leads for my wife's new literary novel. Here I came back with armfuls, and barely scratched the surface of what was there.