I am kind of surprised that you are coming from this point of view Chris. It is my understanding that Boon lives in California but yet you consider him your teacher, or am I wrong? If this is so then you must have been exposed to Boon through one of his many trips around the country, and continue your study with him on a fragmented basis when he is in KC. Forgive me if I am worng and please don't think I am trying to take a shot at you, I am just getting some mixed messages that seem to contradict your previous points of view.
If growing good quality bonsai is the goal then it is necessary that one is exposed to the kind of people that are capable of producing these world class bonsai and willing to teach those with a desire to learn. If you do not have anyone of such calaber in your club or area what options are left open to you? You can move or you can kidnap the object of your desire
It is true much that takes place in some of these dog and poney shows is not good, but it is not necessarily the fault of the invited "Master", as much as it is the fault of those who invited him. The club expects the instant masterpiece, and in workshops an almost finished bonsai is the expectation of almost every attendee. We expect to see the entire ball of wax demonstrated in a single sitting. Then we are surprised when the tree dies?
So what is the value?? Inspiration if nothing else. Just as in an Evangelical meeting it is the inspiration that carries the attendee, not the constant hand holding. If one is truly sold out for God they don't need to have the fires stoked all the time, or at least they should'nt. But you know the funny thing, when they fail it's always the teacher's fault and none of the blame falls on them. So it is with bonsai, we want miracles, we expect miracles so we demand the miraculous.
It seems to me it is better to see how some of these masters work first hand and understand that they too are human, than it is to sit and wonder and wish. If we find that some of them have feet of clay, that too is a good lesson less we find ourselves out standing in our fields-----in mud up to our knees. But in the end it comes down to choices. If the opportunity arises to attend one of these classes/demonstrations and you think this a useless exercise then don't go.