There were only a few vendors at the PMA show last year but the education was the best I have seen in seven or eight years of attending trade shows...the education that I'm referring to is not how to frame or cut better mats but how to build your business.
Last year, Rob Markoff hosted a tour of the show floor, pointing out new products and vendors for our industry. I believe he's doing it again this year. (We purchased something after his tour that is a standard in the photography industry, but not used in a typical frame shop that has more than paid for itself over and over again.)
As Bob stated, some of the courses were taught by people outside our industry - and these classes are where we picked up some of our best new ideas.
IMHO, go to Orlando, soak up a little sun and lots of new ideas that will help your business go to the next level. Then go to damp, dreary NYC for a day in March and do your buying.