Most of the tournament scene in my area are former Games Workshop employees or guys who come into the stores regularly and play. Tournaments are not so much about meeting new players and power gaming as a day that is organized and you know you are getting three - five big games in against nicely painted models with people who know the rules.
The only reason half of tournament guys get flak is because of these imaginary armies that people have like Flying Circus, Leafblower, etc. that won a tournament and continued to place well and people think they are auto-win armies and most people on here are guys who get off to Space Marine battle porn and just want to shoot bolters all game.