It's suggested the show conflicted with a football game? Maybe. But we're comparing attendance with past shows. For the last 8 years we've had a Manchurian Candidate President who absolutely did marvelous things for the gun industry. Now we have a President, something we haven't had for the prior 28 years.
That aside, I ride a motorcycle and play guitar. On my motorcycle and guitar forums the observation concerning the future of those activities is discussed. The new generation of males, millennials we call them, have zero interest in historically masculine activities. For the most part.
Their music is digital. They go to clubs and there's one guy with a sound system and a million music discs. Live bands are rare for that demographic.
They don't much like motorcycles. From what I read, they don't even drive. They also don't work, live at home, spend their time playing computer games, etc. And the American motorcycle market is suffering.
Ditto the above with guns. It's just not an activity they're (as a national demographic) interested in.
Anyway, that's my take on anthropological and demographical trends. I think my grandsons are going to find killer deals on firearms when they grow up. I also think they're not going to be much interested in guns when they grow up.
I'll say that "kids" never significantly drove gunshow numbers and sales. The Wanne has been going downhill in quality vendors for years. Got really bad in the second Obama administration IMO. For many in Tulsa, the gunshops are so good (IMO) that unless you're looking for something rare, you're better off not going. Even if you are looking for something rare, it seems that vendors are trying to make their mortgage off one sale. I used to know of a few good mag vendors that would come from Texas every year. I'd buy $200+ worth of mags from him every time, he also carried all sort of grips. Stopped coming. C&S used to show up and I'd pick up 1911 parts. Stopped coming. Some holster and knife guys I'd always look for..... again.... stopped coming. I'll say it's the internet causing the demise because the vendor can sell and ship without hauling all their product to one place. The consumer has the ability to get EXACTLY what you want and not pay through the nose for it. Surely there are deals walking around but it's nothing like it used to be. JMO.
To the rest...
From what I've seen......"Millennials" do more live music than even my generation. You can look at large live music festivals for reference, SXS is HUGE now, Austin City Limits had to add another weekend and they still sellout, couple this with the fact that band have to tour nowadays because lucrative record deals have gone bye bye.
As far as motorcycles go, I don't know much but damn they are expensive now. Probably has a LOT to do with a lack of following. Seems the "car" scene is still going strong.