Let's assume a similar group of benefits - membership / magazine (paper copy) / convention --

For the CCA: Annual membership is $40/year, including paper copy of magazine (zero extra); Convention is $20 pre-registration for all 3 days (members only), or $10 daily (anyone - member or non-member) with last day free to all. The pre-registration packet contains a "good for $2.50 chip", usually sellable for $5. So members can get membership/magazine/convention for $40 +$20 -$5 =$55 package.

For the ANA: Annual membership is $55/year (Platinum level-includes their magazines). Yes, you can get a $35/year (Gold/Digital level that excludes paper magazines; only digital), and geezers like me (age 65+) get $5 off membership. Now, to attend the ANA World of Money show in Oklahoma City this year (their convention equivalent), members get in free, but others pay $10 daily or $25 for the whole week. Last day is also free for that show too. So the apples-to-apples package is $55 + Free entry - $5, if geezer = $50 to $55. That's a push to me.

The comparison to FUN is apples-to-oranges. FUN is independent show, not ANA. So is the local Las Vegas chip show, arranged by the So.Nevada chapter. Both are free, but neither are ANA or CCA.

Personally, I think the $20 CCA pre-registration IS appropriate, so that both dealers and non-dealer members have skin in the game supporting the club's convention each year.
And there are free options for the general public if they want to wait till the last day of each show.

Sometimes, the "do nothing" (different) option is the right one for certain things. JMHO.