I've decided to come and give my humble 2 cents.
Yes, Avian Influenza is a terrible disease that could do serious damage to not only the commercial poultry industry but also to backyard flocks, etc. But, I don't believe that it is as serious a threat as some are making it, especially not to the small barnyard flock owners or exhibitors.
Avian Influenza's main carrier is migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese, etc.). Most states in the Midwest, in particular, are along what is known as the Missippi Flyway. This is a migratory path that birds take in the spring and in the fall. The spring migration has now ended. Birds are where they'll be for the rest of the summer at least until fall/winter. Therefore, IMO, Avian Influenza is no longer being spread mainly by those migratory birds. If you read the news articles about AI, you'll find that it actually hasn't spread into any different states. Most of the outbreaks are confined to Iowa and Minnesota. Wisconsin had some outbreaks in April, but hasn't seen a single Avian Influenza case since the first few days of May. In fact, some of the infected areas are no longer under quarantine. Many of the states that have been canceling (Michigan, Ohio, South Dakota, etc) haven't even see an Avian Influenza case. Truly, for now, the outbreaks are confined to Minnesota and Iowa.
By reading the news articles, I've come to the opinion that most of the continued outbreaks are being caused by poor biosecurity on the commercial poultry industry's part. Several of the infected farms in Iowa are owned by the same company. I remember reading an article by a reporter who discovered that commercial poultry houses from that Iowa company were being very lax (allowing vehicles to drive through without being disinfected, etc.) If those large commercial houses practiced stricter biosecurity, they could very well limit the spread of Avian Influenza more successfully.
We must realize that the commercial birds in those large factory houses have, in some ways, a much greater chance of succumbing to the disease. They already have weakened immune systems from overcrowding, etc. Our backyard or exhibition flocks tend to be more robust. Most of them have access to the outside and routinely come in contact with new pathogens. If they did happen to come across an infected bird, the chickens might not even contract the disease.
Quite simply, exhibition poultry are not the main problem. Most poultry shows are under 1,000 birds and occur perhaps once a year. People do not bring in obviously sick birds with foaming eyes or sneezing. If a person took a bird like that to a poultry show, the show superintendant would immediately remove it from the showroom. Most exhibitors take excellent care of their birds and won't even bring a bird that could be sick.
It is wrong to believe that your birds have any greater chance of getting Avian Influenza than any other disease at shows. Any time you take a bird to a show, you risk disease. Mareks Disease, Infectious Laryngotrachetis, Mycolplasma, you name it. All of those are found at poultry shows. If you don't want to risk your birds, don't go to a show. But, don't criticize others for not reacting in the same way or for not panicing over a "serious" threat.
IMO, the Avian Influenza threat isn't a significant threat to the exhibition poultry industry. If the commercial companies employ adequate biosecurity measures, they should be able to eliminate any further spread (with the exception of wild bird transmission in waterfowl, etc.) Canceling poultry shows is not the answer. I can understand canceling swaps, but not shows.
I believe that the main reason the government is canceling poultry exhibitions is to shift the blame from the commercial poultry industry. I also think that the government is canceling shows so that the the people won't think that the states aren't doing anything. But, the real fault is not in the exhibition poultry; rather, they are a scapegoat.
Just my opinion. I could probably ramble on even more. I'm not saying that my opinion is correct or that it is the only opinion. I simply believe that the facts don't show that canceling all poultry shows (in states that haven't had any outbreaks, no less!) is the answer to the Avian Influenza outbreak.
Oh, and I don't expect many to believe me. Don't take any offense, however. I'm not trying to start an argument.