Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Colin Bishop on January 29, 2010, 11:16:29 am
-
There is frequent interest on Mahem about which traders will be attending which shows and often disappointment when an otherwise good show has little model boat trader presence.
Of course we know that the reasons are probaly economic and geographic and depend upon individual circumstances but it would be interesting to me, and no doubt others, if some of our trader members could, (without giving any commercial secrets away!), tell us what are the main factors governing their decision to attend shows and maybe ranking them in order of preference as it is not always clear why one show can attract a lot of traders whilst another is effectively shunned.
Colin
-
Admiral - here be ours:
Likely amount of business to be done - some shows attract a lot more visitors than others, but not all are potential customers (which is why we prefer specialist model boat shows)
Competition at same show from other traders in similar goods.
Timing - too many shows in a short period?
Geography - too many shows in one area and none elsewhere?
Cost of travel and available accommodation.
Cost of stand hire and associated bits e.g. tables, power.
Do we like/trust the organiser(s)?
The order could be argued about. For example, a SE show might promise a bit more turnover than a NW show, but the expenses may well be too high to justify attending. Much as I love meeting folk and nattering on about boaty matters, the bottom line of the P&L is the main consideration.............as in all things to do with business.
FLJ
-
I went to the Alexandra Palace model engineers exhibition in January. Slightly dissapointed and not a patch on the "old" one they used to hold at Olympia many years ago. What has happened?
-
Different set of organisers. The old shows were staged by Nexus, now MyHobbyStore but became to expensive to run in the early 2000s so they were reduced in scope and transferred to Sandown Park with a couple of years at Ascot before returning to Sandown last December. The Model Engineering Show currently being held at Alexandra Palace is run by Meridienne who also stage the model boat show at Warwick. I think the big problem with the central London venues is that they cost a lot of money to hire and the organisers have to get this back from the gate and by charging hefty fees to traders. Most model boat traders tend to be small, often family businesses, and it isn't economic for them to attend.
The purpose of this topic was to get some confirmation of this but it appears that only ACTion are biting!
Colin
-
We have to weigh up all costs involved (petrol, hotel, cost of tables, food for the weekend.) As most of you know MMB is a one man operation, but with help from Angie, we manage pretty well.
However, as most of you know Angie has been off work since last April after having 2 hip replacements done (May and October) so we have had to reduce the number of shows attended last year,but this hasn't stopped the rumour mongers saying that I am not trading anymore (in reply to these people I say..... If you don't know what you are talking about, then don't say anything!!)
We will be attending more shows again this year as Angie is well on the mend now, but again we have to weigh up the costs of attending against how financially viable a show is.
-
As the organiser of the Alfold Charity Model Boat Show I try to let you all know which traders will be attending. Keep an eye on the events section and I will update as entries are received.
Alan
-
I just can't fit them in time wise any more let alone the costs involved and as Mark says, if you don't turn up at any show you used to do people think you are not trading any more, try thinking first and then say something constructive instead of negative? Most of us are still here, but, just can't basically afford either time money or the work involved with stocking up for a show when you do not know what the return is going to be?
I drew a line on shows early last year when I got my part time job which is now turning into full time, I still remain trading but, things take me alot longer to do these days due to time. The first time we did a proper show after taking over Sirmar it took a month of working 9 hours a day to stock the fittings trays up never mind the boards and it ended up being, it wasn't worth it in the end.
Paul, aka www.sirmarmodelships.com
-
i think that the answer that FullLeatherJacket gave, could probably count for all traders.
it about hits the nail in the right place to sink it in one hitting...
i don't think there is anyting missing in the list, and the Order of priority is not really of importance
i would think the bigest put off is the "Cost of stand hire and associated bits e.g. tables, power." which for the Intermodellbau in Dortmund is very close to a 100 Eruos per square meter, and thats not taking into account the travel and accommodation expenses, thats a big chunk for advertising and talking to potential customers about boaty matters.