Other than me being a cheap-arse, are there any ideas or thoughts out
there for me on this? I'm wondering if any of you ever received these
free passes and how did you get them or get on the list to receive them?

Do you have any suppliers that exhibit at the show? If so ask if they have
any
"guest passes" available. Or you might become a "temporary employee" of
the exhibitor and get a pass that way. You pretty much have to know
somebody
to get a freebie to a trade show but it's not all that hard.