Track expenses are the big ticket item. I can correlate, as I have run, priced, and set up track days. Three days at a major facility is $50 - 75K plus with all the extras. If SAAC was to shrink down to a one-day event at a lesser track, such as NJMP, NOLA, Autobahn, Willow, or other club-style tracks, they could probably do so solo, but it requires a major re-think of the convention. And pricing.
The Bosses like a name track, and Bob did identify on who's coattails we ride. It is felt that we'll attract more going to a famous place.
Me personally, I don't care, as long as the track is fun. Why not just have a one-day track frenzy, and spend another day with the car shows at the host hotel location, and maybe other fun social things? Heck, I've been asking for years at the Jersey Shore, one day at NJMP, car show on the boardwalk the second day, and one day in the Pine Barrens hunting for Jimmy Hoffa or other Soprano's victims......