1200 vendors @ $7000 minimum for a table = $8.4 million
250,000 visitors @ $14 per head = $3.5 million
The vendors have already paid their money and won’t get it back, but the visitors will stay away in droves. Next year, how many vendors will be dumb enough to fork out another $7000? This show is finished.
That is arguable in court. The show changed the rules after the money was paid. The vendors who have pulled out for this reason have a reasonable law suit to get a refund and possible damages due to loss of expected benefits from the show. Their contract with the show company has been voided by the show prior to performance of their part of the contract.