Lee, the UMKC did try to publicize their show widely - this was posted on KoiShack months ago and Sue Emmerick followed up with updates regularly.
Umkc Announces 1st Annual Koi Show - KoiShack
I'm sure she posted it on KP as well, but I don't know that for a fact. She also started a similar thread here, with follow-ups. In addition, Sue and Dick traveled to many shows this year, including Orlando, Indianapolis and SKE, where they "talked up" their club's first show. I know several people from other states who traveled to Minneapolis this weekend, some with koi, some just to support the show.