It got noticed more since Exceed 2 probably because of ITG but it's been back on a downhill probably to where it was in early 2000 at this point, like you said with new fans.
...but not really giving it much credit. It's not like a major leaf-turning event, but you can't deny that AM and Roxor has worked together, which did help give Pump more credit to the ITG community than as if they never did at all (and I'm not even going to mention Pro). USPF 2007 is an demonstration of ITG players starting to also play Pump.
BZ Naperville, IL, was probably the biggest ITG center in the midwest. After somme time with ITG and eventually seeing pump pro and some zero, their attitudes turned from "gay" to "eh, it's not bad".
I have one about 1hr south that has the shittiest pads known to human exitence. Then i have one 1hr north that is like $2 for 3 songs and stage fail is on the first song. lame
You don't know you can pass a song until you fail it.
------------------------------------
Like Pump it Up music? http://www.piu-ost.com 5 Panel Stepmania charts by me: http://www.piu-ost.com/Stepfiles
------------------------------------