Good points Carl. I can understand how a "gap" in the box can be "created" easily. I think in order of "real estate" consumed, the boxes and the binders are probably pretty close together-- depending on how thick the binders are. The glass cases take up a lot more space and that can add up, so I generally see the more expensive coins there. So I guess there is a tradeoff with respect to cost of tables at some point. It's less of a tradeoff at smaller shows, but there is less traffic (generally oversimplfying here!). Larger shows have higher attendances and (we presume) more "big spenders" but dealers have higher table costs. How many tables is the right number? It depends...
Need good lighting for display & then for grading Coins being in denomination & date order is important to me. The most valuable resource we have is time & it is wasted when required to search through unsorted material. Lighting is also important to me. If it is difficult to see the material then I get tired more quickly & move onto the next table. Within the glass case, the stackable trays seem to work well for 2x2 & 1.5x1.5 holders. If you have multiples of the same date, then put them in a stack with the nicest example on top of the stack. Very best regards, collect89