We want people to see the volunteers as valuable.
The volunteers
are valuable. I don't think anyone disputes that. But the admin pool is too small and too location based to permit small conventions not already near an admin to be able to absorb the cost of bringing in an admin.
Even for local cons in the US, you're talking about $750-$1000 to bring in an admin, between hotel costs, plane tickets, and the cost of Fai Chen's Faire printing. If you've got 30-50 people attending a $30 three day weekend, you're looking at doubling the cost, either by increasing ticket prices, or charging per chair fees. Not every Con can do that. And honestly, an RC isn't really any cheaper (though there are a few more of them), but doesn't provide as much value in terms of exclusivity, currently.
On a rather unrelated note, you need a minimum of 41 people (30 players, 10 DMs, and 1 staff) to run an epic, by rules. Admittedly, 3 person tables kinda suck. Having read the season 4 epic playtest, I'm also pretty sure it would run just fine with as few as 6 tables (2/tier), but 8 would be better (3/3/2). 8 tables could be played with the same 41 people, too, and I'm pretty sure a better time would be had by all. As well as 8 DMs being easier to come by than 10.
I get that the 10 table minimum is a compromise between the Admins and WotC, and I'm cool with that. I'm hoping our local convention will be big enough this year to support an epic next year. And now, back to trying to find the money to bring Alan to my local Con.