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[Del-boy1958]

Hi Guys
Great words from Graham from Hunters BUT as a punter I have been every year since
about 1993 and I go to show for the traders. No traders - No point , I can float a boat on my local pond and save the journey.

The other thing is I still cant see a date for this show on this thread.
 
I am getting booked up so I may miss this, The last spring show was very poor on the trade side.

I used to love this show , It was the first one to get booked with the October show.

Derek

[snowwolflair]

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, I have the 1st and 2nd May

[Colin Bishop]

It's advertised on the Beale Park website as usual and implies that traders will be present. maybe some of those who post on here could indicate if they are attending.

http://www.bealepark.co.uk/events_item.php?id=127

Colin

[MCAT]

Have alook under  club events   Mid Thames  Model Boat club

[HUNTER]

Its the old Fart again!
Thanks guys.
As far as I am aware - Traders going are - Hunter Systems (that's me sorted) - Mastman ( New Trader to the show) - Macs Mouldings - SHG - Deans Marine - with a lot more to follow.
If I haven't included you - SHOUT. You know what my memory is like.

[cos918]

Hi Everybody,
Its me - the old fart on the Hunter Systems stand. Now what's all this cr..p coming from the mouths of so called manufacturers/Traders who were more than pleased to be going to the Beale show when times were good and when they were creaming a damned good living from the exhibitors pockets. Also, the exhibitors enjoyed the shows - How many people remember Richard Howard putting his hand in his own pocket and putting on a damned good fireworks display worthy of the New Year celebrations!!

Ok, the show has gone down hill in the last few years and we know why. Myself, Ron Dean and some of the major manufactures have spent a long time chatting to Richard Howard on ways to bring the show back to health and one of the ways is to promote - improve and put some faith back into doing it. Not winge because it has taken a beating.

Myself and Ron and several other reputable Manufacturers who have been in business for many years and have seen many shows go to the wall even when there was no recession. Shows go down mainly due to the show going out of balance. A show requires several key elements - A good Organiser - Trade - Exhibitors - public. If one or more of the elements drop down then the apple cart is tipped. This has happened to many good shows and Beale is heading that way.
Unless of course the Trade attend - the exhibitors attend followed by the public. Mix them all up and you if you are lucky - you have a good show!
Hands up all who enjoyed the Beale show of old. Hands up all who have said "that was a cracking show and I will go again" Hands up all who said "That was a good show, I made a lot of money and will be back next year"
Yes, I know Richard is out on a limb this year but it takes all of the elements to make the show, so please don't dismiss it and become one of those elements who only think of themselves and winge when the going gets tough. Believe me, life is too short.
Maybe, we will see each other at Child Beale. REMEMBER A really good venue plus Free Camping and yes - a free stand to the trade this year. So no winging ok? To all of the trade - If you are not prepared to put something in - don't winge about it - don't bother to go - you are not needed or wanted.
Nuff said, I am going to get my mug of cocoa!
Sermon over!
Graham Sheppard (Past Chairman of the MMMA)
Late News. I have heard on the grapevine that the Beale Centre will be available to the trade - and not outside as was spoken about before.
 

Ok Fair point.
The reason beale show went down hill was down to beale park.I do remember the good shows in the early 1990's . The reason people so called winged is they did not like what the show has come. Beale refused to listen. It took last year bad bad show to make them wake up. OK that's in the past. So what are they going to do for people who show there model. Pay full entry £8.50 or do as they did in the past . A FREE ticket to each modeler regardless if they were in a club or not if they brought a boat to show.I await the answer from beale park. Or will it be like in the past they come on here to announce there show and not answer any question? It is only beale park who can fix this show.

John

[lifeboatpaul]

 
Well said Graham !
Nice to see someone sticking up for the show.
 As I said at the beginning of this thread as long as theres some fellow model boaters at the show ill be there sailing some boats, and Delboy is always "burning a hole in his pocket" to spend some money on new realease kits etc.
Paul

[Shipmate60]

I have just spoken to Graham (Hunter Systems) about the Beale Park Model Boat Show.
For the first time in a few years I am optimistic that this show can be resurrected to almost its former glory.
There is still a lot of goodwill amongst the traders for this venue and all it will need is us to attend.
I am asking you to put aside your former negative feelings and give it one last chance.
If t is successful we will have another large Model Boat venue, if it fails we will lose it completely.

As I have said I am optimistic so there is hope for this Show.

From Graham, he is willing to act as Trader "liaison" for any traders who want to attend but are having any problems booking in.

So come on Mayhemmers spread the word and attend this one to show that there is still interest in another Southern venue.

Bob

[Marks Model Bits]

Hi  Just Spoken to Richard.

MMB (marks model bits)  will be there


Mark.

[Colin Bishop]

No apparent discount for modellers though. Normal admission prices apply (£8.50 or £7.00 for Seniors) unless you can tap into one of the free tickets allocated to participating clubs presumably. No published info about bringing your own boat that I have seen so far although there is time yet.

Colin

[Shipmate60]

Colin,
That is being discussed now.

Bob

[cos918]

I await to here the out come of that discussion

John

[HUNTER]

Hi Guys,
Its the Old Fart again!!
I have just come off the telephone after  a long conversation with Richard Howard. He is delighted to announce that the Beale Centre is full up with Traders as in the old days some oldies and some newbies. Some big and some less big. But all looking forward to having a good show!
The list contains Deans Marine, Mobile Marine Models, Hunter Systems, Macs Mouldings, SHG, Tony Richardson, Prop Shop, All Components, Dave Brumpstead (with glues etc), Mastman (Resin fittings and Barges etc) and Marks Model Bits. There is still enough room for two or three small stands. Ok, not a lot compared to some other shows but hey - we are trying to put breath back into the old body. There will also be a new food outlet ( the Aussie has gone home). Rumour has it that there could be a second food outlet. (That's me catered for)!

As for free tickets - I have managed to get Richard to give some free passes to club listed people at the gate on the day only. It seems that some people over the last few years have been making a fair bit of money selling free tickets allocated to the clubs out in the car park. This is the main reason why Richard has not been keen giving away free passes. This I can understand! He also pointed out that there are not many shows now were there are free passes.

If we get any more news, I will pass it on.

Right, I am going to put the kettle on, fill my hot water bottle, kick the cats out, make a cocoa and go to bed as it has gone 8 o'clock.

Graham

[Colin Bishop]

Good to know that there is likely to be a fair selection of traders but it seems that the issue of getting boaters to attend has not been grasped or maybe properly understood.

I had also heard that a couple of people had been caught touting free tickets from club allocations outside the front gate although hardly sufficient to threaten the economic viability of the park itself! Giving allocations to specially invited clubs is a poor basis for boosting attendance anyway as it discourages the model boating community at large from attending.

I can't see why one of two methods successfully employed in the past cannot be reinstated:

1. Pre entry by applying for a personal pass from MTMBC in advance which will give free entry for a modeller and boat(s) (plus maybe their partner).

2. A discount on the door for a modeller with boat(s)  (plus maybe their partner)  say £3 or so.

Not rocket science and no risk of flogging off unallocated tickets to the public. Both methods worked OK in the past so what is the problem now?

The more modellers who attend, the greater the public spectacle and be more the traders will benefit.

Colin

[Martin (Admin)]

  and publicize the event a bit.

[snowwolflair]

Keep it simple

Club passes with names written in advance on them by the club secretary or events organiser

if you bring a boat on your own half price on the day.  (Wifes/parners can carry a second boat!)

[andywright]

 Its definately the cost of admission spoiled this show in the past, I've heard a loads of people moan about the price, I admit there is a lot to see in the park, but personally I only go for the boats. The last time I went I spent a fortune ( two adults) to get in and only a few  traders were present, luckily I was on holiday in the area and hadn't driven especially for the show.
Andy

[cos918]

There are a lot of people who ARE NOT in an model club. Our model boat are just as good as people who are in clubs. SO why should only some people get in for free. The reason the show went down hill was the dropping numbers of people who were showing there model boats. I remember  in the mid 1990's there were two rows of boat that stretched half way down the north bank of the pond .I would have said at least 150+ boats. £8.50 is lot to show your boat. There are still a lot of shows were people who show there boats were there is FREE entry for them.
One Idea . You phone or email giving your name and address to them. When you turn up at the gate if you have all the necessary ie model boat, ID with your address on it and your name on the list you get in for FREE. This will stop people from selling off tickets they could not use .

John

[snowwolflair]

Bit like getting into Liquid on a Saturday night - book ahead for the VIP list, bring a bird and proof you are over 21

[HUNTER]

Hi Guys
Its the Old Fart again..........
I have again spoken to Richard Howard and his Park director and his Show Administrator. A lot of hot air, wind and good ideas have been thrown about (sorry, its all that cocoa). The final decision/details will be emailed to me later today when I will pass them onto you.

Graham

[Jindivik]

Hi, To follow on from Graham's earlier post I spoke to Richard Howard a couple of weeks ago and the people currently in the Centre are moving out making it available for the traders.
Dave and Marion (D&M Modelling Supplies) will be there with Deluxe Materials range of glues etc., some Model Slipway kits and George Turner's figures and vac. formings.
Dave

[MCAT]

Thanks to all the traders for committing to the show. some of you guys have been there all the time through thick and thin.

I for one most defiantly appreciate it and know it must have been tough at times.

lets hope the show picks up we need it around the area its set in nice not have to travel to far for such a lovely venue
and with the improvemets around the lake what more do you want .

Sunshine - lake- traders   Love it .

Mick

[HUNTER]

Hi Guys
The old fart again,
Spoke to Louise who is the Park Administrator who will be overseeing the show. Apparently Louise and Richard are still discussing terms!
She will email the rules and regs. when set.
Regards to you all.
Graham

[Dean's Marine]

Dear modellers
 As has been stated Deans Marine will be attending the showover the bank holiday weekend on the  1-2 May. As far as I recall we were one of the traders to attend the very first trade show at beale parlk (a long time ago, where did the time go.)
 If I can add my stone in to the calm waters, I am sure if anyone is attending with a boat, over the weekend, and talking and showing our hobby to the public, they should have a free pass, as they are part of the show,?
 Bring a small boat, dump it on a table, (that is if you bother to come as it might rain or be windy,) Have a part day at the show, pick up boat and go home,  and if you do not get your own way, "xxxxx" off the show on the forums, ??
 Try that with any of the other boatt shows in the U.K
 As as been said before, use it or lose it, Richard is on our side, so he is no expert in running a show,  if its wrong, help put it right,  but if you abuse it, you will lose it. 
But this "I am a model boater, I should get in free"??  I drive a car, I do not get in the motor show free, I also own a real boat, it does not get me in to the boat show at Earls court or Southhampton,? 
 We will be releasing 2 new kits at the show, so come along and see us, plus we will have a selection of the last of the current production of our ARTR models (if there are any left that by them.
 iI will do all I can along  with the other traders that care to keep this show alive, and to try and get it back to its former glory
Have a pre-view of the new boats
 Happy Boating
 Deans Marine

[Colin Bishop]

I think the basic problem is that individual boaters (as opposed to those getting free tickets from invited club attendance) have to stump up the full whack entry fee of £8.50 per person just to browse the stands of a handful of traders and maybe run their boat. Not surprisingly people will jib at the cost. This means that the potential customer base for the traders will be confined to those who have secured free entry from their club free ticket allocations. That's not good for the traders and reduces the spectacle for the general public as extra boats will not be on show. The park should at least be offering a significant discount for people bringing a boat. Most will be genuine boaters and add to the flavour of the event. The possible occasional freeloader described in the above post is hardly likely to impact upon the financial viability of the park.

From the trader and park viewpoint the object must surely be to get as many boaters through the gate as possible - everybody benefits.

Colin