There would be so many people there Manufacturers would not be able to spent time with distributors etc.
That is exactly the reason. There are thousands of dealers/distributors there already. If the public was invited then they would have to expand it to at least a week and then I do not think it would serve the purpose it was originally intended for...to educate dealers on new products for the year. I think there are several other shows similar to the ATA show where the general public can get a glimpse of new gear. Isn't the SHOT show something along this line?