Exhibitions

Simon

Flying Squad
There's an interesting thread on RMweb running at the moment regarding exhibitions and their future, with the general thought that there might be too many of them for all to survive.

One suggestion has been that some shows will need to "fall on their sword" in order to allow others to continue, whilst another is that there ought to be some sort of umbrella association to help steer a future strategy.

As some of you know, I cannot use my normal venue for Camrail next year and so am forced to either "take a holiday" or do something different.

So, as I consider options for next year's spiffing "Larkrail", Saturday 20th July 2013, I would be interested to hear others thoughts on what makes an exhibition good or enjoyable.

This isn't one of those "fishing" posts where I expect all the answers, I already have some pretty well defined ideas of what I will/might do, but would be genuinely interested in others thoughts. The general scenario is a smaller venue with most visitors being committed modellers.

Feel free to broaden any discussion to any/all other shows, I think its a fascinating subject myself. Sorry there's no modelling to report, I've been in the garden all day doing garden maintenance stuff and I'm too wacked to do anything useful:rolleyes:

Simon
 

28ten

Guv'nor
Personally speaking, yes I think there are too many, here is a list of other things for starters :)

Smaller is better, big barn venues are horrible and I hate the corporate stuff.
Good parking and signage is a must, first impressions count.
If I like a layout, I want to engage with operators, I have paid to get in so I expect a polite answer to any question and not a smirk, even if the question has been asked 100 times.
Adequate seating.
Sensibly priced catering, yes I know organisers need to cover costs and make a profit, but dont rip me off.
If I ever suggest having a 'village' feel free to shoot me....
 

Dikitriki

Flying Squad
I agree with Cynric, and would add:

Quality above all else. I want to be inspired and enthused.
Maybe some high quality non-railway items - figure painting, military dioramas - there's so much to learn from other fields.
Well-lit venue.

Richard
 

Phill Dyson

Western Thunderer
Specialist shows seem to work well such as G.O.G. & A.L.S.R.M. shows , I think good trade support is one of the key reasons for their success as is the demonstrations, bring & buy & E & T stands :thumbs:

As far as local multi-scale shows go, all the points Cynric has raised are very valid, I also think they need good quality layouts rather than relying on what's available locally which can often be pretty mediocre ........as Richard says "Quality above all else. I want to be inspired and enthused".
 

marsa69

Western Thunderer
For me one of the most important criteria is the 'range' of layouts on show. Whilst an all steam or all modern era show maybe high on some peoples lists I prefer a large range of layouts covering different era's and scales including, if available, overseas layouts. I like to see something different and unusual and get tired of the many 'clone' layouts seen at some of today's shows :thumbs:
 

iploffy

OC Blue Brigade
For me one of the most important criteria is the 'range' of layouts on show. Whilst an all steam or all modern era show maybe high on some peoples lists I prefer a large range of layouts covering different era's and scales including, if available, overseas layouts. I like to see something different and unusual and get tired of the many 'clone' layouts seen at some of today's shows :thumbs:

I agree with your sentiments, but even when there are interesting layouts something has to move SOME of the time. How many times have you stood in anticipation and got bored then walked away. Trade stands why do some of the sellers just sit there and not verbally explain or try and sell there wares.
 

Ressaldar

Western Thunderer
like Richard, I agree with Cynric and my particular favourite is the GOG Area 4 'Get-together' at Gresford, very friendly with the people behind the 'tables' more than willing to talk to you.

It was a shame that this years 'Get-together' had to be cancelled, but it returns again next year - October and the layouts are already booked, further details to follow later this year so as not to confuse anybody.

cheers

Mike
 

Phill Dyson

Western Thunderer
......... and the Warley/NEC Show..... far too big for purpose!!
Never been myself, but having read some of the comments I think the problem is it's not big enough? The admission price is very low IMO in comparison to smaller shows, maybe more/bigger halls is the way to go for this one with higher admission fees to alleviate the crowding problems ? :)
 

Phill Dyson

Western Thunderer
One thing that does occur to me is this thread seems to come about through falling attendance figures at some shows ?...........maybe this is a form of natural selection & the poor shows will fall by the wayside & leave the better shows to survive ?

I don't think this has anything to do with size though, as there are many good shows at both ends of the spectrum IMO :)
 

Simon

Flying Squad
One thing that does occur to me is this thread seems to come about through falling attendance figures at some shows ?...........maybe this is a form of natural selection & the poor shows will fall by the wayside & leave the better shows to survive ?

I don't think this has anything to do with size though, as there are many good shows at both ends of the spectrum IMO :)

I suspect that is absolutely the case, and that some shows may go on the simple basis that the organising club/individual/organisation won't be able to afford to carry on.

A good example of the "collective stupidity" that appears to govern how some shows are organised was Westinghouse MRC's last show, we (I am a member and will own up to partial responsibility on that basis) sleepwalked into what turned out to be (I am being brutally frank here) a mediocre show that was an absolute financial disaster. I won't repeat how much we lost here, but it was an embarassment. Even so we have club members who would like to do another general model railway show on the same sort of basis to whom my question is - why?

We are in a slightly peculiar situation in that we are in the same town as Geoff Endacott and the Bentley club, who are very good at putting on shows, but who need to be as they have significant clubroom costs to cover. This is one particular burden we do not labour under which maybe explains our lack of outputs... Ahem, I do believe that's a different subject, I'll shut up right now:oops:

Here is my main bugbear/thought on the whole exhibition thing. Leaving aside big shows where you are going to struggle to fill a hall, it endlessly amuses me how you hear the "not enough exhibition layouts" and "local layouts are no good" comments. My take on this is twofold, in the first instance a lot of exhibition managers are ludicrously competitive and only seem able to look at what is exhibited at other exhibitions as a source of layouts. This is inward looking and bound to create the situation of "sameness" that you hear so much about, in my opinion. Secondly, I have found through talking to people and generally keeping eyes and ears open that there is actually a wealth of talent and exhibitable stuff "out there", a lot of which will be relatively speaking on your doorstep.

Camrail has survived through (and again I'm being brutally honest here) a distinct element of economy in what is paid out to run the show. As any monies it makes go to charity some exhibitors waive expenses (which is not a requirement for exhibiting but is very welcome) friends put other friends up avoiding B&B and yes, I do look to both friends and local enthusiasts to help me out (Thank you all). The whole thing is basically put on for the fun of it, if it stopped being fun then it would stop.

Many thanks for the inputs so far, which show me that my biggest issue for "Larkrail" next year is probably going to be parking and access, keep 'em coming!

Simon
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
Never been myself, but having read some of the comments I think the problem is it's not big enough? The admission price is very low IMO in comparison to smaller shows, maybe more/bigger halls is the way to go for this one with higher admission fees to alleviate the crowding problems ? :)
I've been several years running and the crowding problem is purely self created by the organisers, the hall is massive yet they continue to partition off a large section and force the isles smaller and thus ram packed, last year I reckon a good 20+% of the main hall was walled off with temporary barriers. Its almost a vain attempt to make the place 'look' busy, they don't need to, most people I suspect would rather have the extra space to be able to walk around, utterly beyond me why the large areas are walled off?.

Regards
 

iploffy

OC Blue Brigade
Mick in the case of the NEC I was told that they have to pay by the Sq metre so it was more cost effective to use less space. I remember going to the NEC and trying to get behind the barriers only to be told that no-one was allowed there.
 

Phill Dyson

Western Thunderer
Mick in the case of the NEC I was told that they have to pay by the Sq metre so it was more cost effective to use less space. I remember going to the NEC and trying to get behind the barriers only to be told that no-one was allowed there.
The thing is though Ian, I know lots of modelers up here who do not go simply because of the overcrowding, so saving a few quid on floor space is very short sighted IMO ;)
 

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
Specialist shows seem to work well such as G.O.G. & A.L.S.R.M. shows , I think good trade support is one of the key reasons for their success as is the demonstrations, bring & buy & E & T stands :thumbs:

What I have found since moving to 0 Gauge, is that people and traders who attend the shows are so much more friendly and willing to chat/share knowledge) with you than at the multi-gauge shows that I have attended in the past. I only have been to Warley once and Doncaster a few times as well as local shows.

This isn't my opinion alone - as soon as we had attended the first large scale show (A.L.S.R.M. at York I think) Chris my wife commented as much and it has been reinforced since. Chris particularly likes to to talk to demonstrators at shows and with the exception of Charlie King at Doncaster has only found demonstrators willing to spend time talking to her at the larger scale shows.

This has pretty much meant that for this year at least, the only shows that we have attended have been guild/0gauge shows.
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
Mick in the case of the NEC I was told that they have to pay by the Sq metre so it was more cost effective to use less space. I remember going to the NEC and trying to get behind the barriers only to be told that no-one was allowed there.
I suspected that would be the case, but as Phil points out, it is now detrimental to the show and is thus reducing entrance figures.....which will probably mean it'll be even smaller this year!. Ally Pally on the other hand was much nicer and that huge glass roof really does provide a lot of light, whilst not of interest to many here being mainly model engineering and displays rather than layouts or work benches etc, it is a nice show in a nice venue.

Kindest
 

28ten

Guv'nor
I wonder if people would pay more to see fewer layouts in a nicer environment? lets say £25 -£30 to see a half a dozen layouts in a hall with limited number of punters admitted. Would a finescale (whatever that is) show make sense? also does it really have to be about layouts? I enjoy the IPMS shows, there is fantastic modelling but nothing moving :)
 

Susie

Western Thunderer
To me, one very good 'show' is the Chilterns MRA do. This is really a get-together, pre-book only (this year it was £8.00), and no public walking in off the street!

As far as I know it's not there to make money, just to cover the cost of the venue and a very good buffet lunch, with tea and coffee all day, giving folk who want to enjoy looking at models, making them, running them and chatting about them the chance to do so. Many years ago there was a Scale Show which was organised jointly by the S Scale Soc and 2mm Association, on a similar basis.

Susie
 

Neil

Western Thunderer
Oh dear I'm having trouble ordering my thoughts into a coherent order such is the breadth of the topic.

I don't like sports halls they have squeaky floors and smell of trainers and sweat. I'd love to see an exhibition presented in a gallery in the way that works of art are presented. In Mach we have MOMA Wales, all crisp white painted walls, neutral flooring and excellent lighting. In this context layouts would be plinthed, there would be no picnic tables full of crap, spare stock and tins of pop, no drapes and no lighting rig. I hate drapes, they have pretensions of tidiness that they fail to live up to. I also don't like upper fascias, the add claustrophobia to what should be a portrayal of the great outdoors and I'd rather the lighting was unobtrusively suspended from the ceiling rather than bolted onto the layout. It amuses me to think of Henry Moore or Barbara Hepworth desining an integral lighting sytem for their sculpture. Another pet hate is the use of black paint, varnished wood to 'frame' the layout. It doesn't stop the eye wandering, it's so dominant it draws the eye. Neutral pale colours, greys and earth tones work far better. Biggest pet hate in layout presentation, all those ****ing exhibition badges plastered over the front of the layout. They're ugly at best; at worst they have connotations of one upmanship and/or boastfulness.

On a more positive note, MOMA has a cafe (a good one) with its seating in the middle of one of the galleries. It may make more sense for an exhibition not to have it's seating huddled next to the refreshments counter but dispersed through the hall. I have an idea that exhibitions (in general) go on too long, I think most could wrap up at four rather than five as the last hour seems mainly populated with bored exhibitors and traders wandering about wishing the last hour away. The quid pro quo would be that no packing up, no reducing stock be permitted till close of play.

But the uber-slick show might not be the only game in town. I really like scruffiness, cafes with old chairs and tables where nothing matches, junk shops where towering mounds of stock threaten to tumble if brushed against. The village hall exhibition but with added dash and vigour would be just as acceptable. What I don't want is mediocrity.

Layouts: I far prefer "**** me I wasn't expecting that" to "**** me, that's well modelled".


Having said all this I'm going to Warley for the first time this year; but I'm going with some good mates so I'm sure I'll enjoy the day.
 

28ten

Guv'nor
Interesting thoughts Neil, Id go for an art gallery type exhibition, with the proviso of limited admittance.
Im going to start a separate topic on the presentation points you raise
 
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