I think it's a big mistake to not send all your known employees to the shows.
Here's the thing.....MANY affiliates have built rapport with your account reps and other employees from these boards. They look forward to meeting and partying with these employees. The greener the affiliate the more it means to them to meet these people and develop relationships.
It doesn't matter if your employee is a janitor or the V.P. of sales.....If they have an established personality and open communication with people then get their face out there and let them be seen AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
It's ALL a bout branding...PERIOD.
You don't have to throw parties or expensive dinners to do this....Just show up and network.
Every long term business relationship that I have includes people I have met in person. If your networker bees are missing shows then it is costing you money.