I suspect the audiences are still there, but, as with the other thread, I don't think the organisers work hard enough to promote, or to let people know, what is happening or about to happen.
Many appear to hold the opinion that - we will have this event and that everything else will fall into place, which of course it often doesn't.
For an example of how to work your socks off, and to make it work - consult Paul's (Banjiman's) efforts over the last few months on these threads and elsewhere.
He cannot be faulted for the amount of energy he expends in letting anyone and everyone know about an event.
I also suspect that people who risk losing their own money work a lot harder at the promotion, rather than those who receive guaranteed funding / financial backing in the form of various types of grants etc.
I we don't know , we don't show !!.