I'd say the trend has moved away from all kinds of pattern and aerobatics flying. SPA, CPA and some of the smaller groups have definitely declined, F3A and AMA pattern has declined due, IMO, to the high cost and high level of skill needed just to get started. IMAC has declined where I live, but I hear it's still strong in other places. I think it'll come back around in a few more years in some form or another though. All it really takes is a couple of clubs in an area to host an event. It's easy enough to create a beginner's class that allows only sport type planes in order to get people interested.