Speaking as someone who has been a visitor, an exhibitor and a trader at different shows over the last thirty years, I have seen the rise and fall of a number of big shows. Sandown Park being the biggest. That event, I feel, was a child of its time, being held in the eighties and nineties, when money was for the spending. Then it was BIG! As money became tight, traders dropped out, this discouraged visitors through the gates, and the death spiral of diminishing returns eventually killed the event. Not helped by the huge costs of a trade stand back then. For two days, a 10 metre stand was about £950, rising to £1200 as the years rolled on. If you wanted lights and power that was an extra £300! With the rampant cut pricing that went on ( Stands would send runners round the show, clocking competitors prices for 2 channel radios, before the show opened, undercutting them to grab sales. A set costing £23 plus VAT trade would be selling for £28, just to get the edge on your competitors. how many would you have to sell to pay for a stand at £1200, do the maths!), profit was unlikely. As the chance of making the event pay tailed off, so did the traders. This has a knock on effect with the modellers not turning out for the next years event..goodbye event.
Not all shows are like this, some, not run by big professional money making machines seem to be able to function, almost despite themselves. The Alfold charity event in early June, this year had two traders in attendance, that's all, two. Despite this there were fourteen clubs in attendance, all had a great day. The Bring and Buy did okay ( could have done with more boats, less car boot tat! Note for next year, modellers! ), The Girl Guides did us proud with nibbles, and the water was in use all day long, plus money was raised for a good cause. I enjoyed the day immensely.
Beale Park, I have loads of time for Beale Park, but, by god, it's up and down more times than a b****y yo yo, sort it out, please!
Warwick seems to also buck the trend, consistently good event, year on year, traders taking some cash, modellers always bringing interesting models. It cannot just be the excellent pool side commentary ( We commentators must stick together, talented AND modest, how you lot would cope without us is a mystery! ), plus the fine food. I don't know stand costs these days, but I assume they are not as insane as the Sandown Park days, otherwise the traders would vote with their feet and have more of their own open days at minimal cost to themselves.
The best event I ever attended was the Model Engineer Exhibition at Alexandra Palace about fourteen or fifteen years ago. Two halls, indoor flying, Bond display with petrol tanks, trucks and helicopters, Portsmouth Display Team ( a talented bunch! ), lots of stuff, too much to remember in fact. The show made a six figure loss and nearly killed the Model Engineer Exhibition dead.
It seems to be a fine balance that has to be struck by event organisers, between what they can charge both traders and visitors, plus of course, exhibitors. Two events we attend at Yeovilton and Bovington, allow five members in free, after that, anyone extra pays a reduced rate. This helps to fend of the freeloaders, which we all know exist. They turn up with one 12" boat, stick it on the stand and are not seen again for the next six hours..you know who you are.
A suggestion from one of our members, which I like, cos it will stir the pot just a bit. Charge clubs a flat rate for attending, which goes towards offsetting the traders pitch costs. Not necessary at all events, maybe just some of those in parks, on the Thames..! This would make the risk for traders just that bit lower, encouraging them to attend, keeping the modellers happy as they have more goodies to buy, keeping the event alive for another year.
As far as encouraging youngsters into the hobby. It feels to me that over the years ( and years ) that I have been selling to the hobby, that the normal route to boat modelling happiness is to start with the help of Dad or Grandad when little, move out of the hobby when life gets in the way, and return to it in your thirties or forties. That seems to be fairly consistent for the last few decades at least. Before that, we were a nation of model builders, Meccano, Eagle comic, Keilkraft and so on. That ship sailed with the advent of the ZX81 and Commodore 64, we aint getting that back!
So, in summary, some shows are doomed, some survive like cockroaches, and some are run by true visionaries who deserve our support, it's bums on seats that keep shows alive, if that means mixing it up a bit, why not..keep up the good work chaps
