Woah, hot topic! There are so many reasons I go to other shows, and what and why is totally dependent on the show and who I go with or meet there.
I love to talk shop with other KJs, especially other independents like myself who maintain their own karaoke libraries and books. Since the Sound Choice lawsuit, I've also gone to many of the shows of the other Defendants.
I'll admit it, I am occasionally looking for new venues to approach about hosting, but I never go after a venue if I enjoyed the karaoke that was there or it seemed adequate. This is I'm sure why in such a competitive market i have so many friends in the biz!
There are a lot of KJs I buy/sell/trade karaoke discs with, and I'm always attentive to what other versions of songs other KJs use and mentally compare them to the ones I use, especially songs I like to sing.
I love looking through other karaoke books to see how mine compare and also to sing songs I like that I don't have in my collection and find out who made them.
I was a karaoke addict long before I was a host so I often see loads of people I know which is usually fun.
I like to sings songs I enjoy singing that wouldn't fly at my own show due to different demographics.
I'm always checking out other KJs hardware/software/etc. to learn and compare. I like to see what other hosts do and don't do and how it works for them & their crowd, although at this point I'm pretty set on my show's format.
I don't usually have to tell the other KJ that I am a KJ; but on the occasions when I see a KJ I don't already know I usually do if they're friendly and approachable. I have encountered some hosts who act paranoid or intimidated by my presence as another KJ, and usually don't go back to those places.
I most frequent the karaoke bars which are very close to where I host because most start earlier than I do; I start at 10-10:30, Grapevine starts at 5-6, and Dirty Drummer starts at 9. John at Dirty Drummer is one of my best friends and main disc suppliers too
I sang once at BS-West, but they started about the same time and it was awkward being hit on by other guys :/ I try to catch Lou at Chances Are as he's been very supportive of my show, but I keep missing him.
Of course the bottom line on how many other shows I can go to depends on how many nights I'm hosting at the time as well as parties I'm doing. I don't have a family, wife or girlfriend to worry bout. I figure I'm more likely to meet a single woman at someone else's show other than my own as I'm too busy for any real flirting or long conversation.