I bench or help bench many of the NW shows and as a norm we ask that owners be present during. But can't tell you the # of times they drop and leave, making those in charge make decisions ( for example: a poor Gin Rin
but great showa pattern-which class)
One of my dearest friends I met while benching their fish, when I remarked of her showa, I just love toshio's fish don't you. Since I didn't know her or her fish she wanted to know how I knew
Similar story with another friend when they entered a shiro bekko, I complimented them on the koi and asked when it had lost it's red. They instantly wanted to know how I knew what happened. So every year when I get back to bench we always have time for each other.
Moral of the story, be there, lots of good things can happen from your participation!