I only ever went once, and that was purely because the local club had laid on a coach.
I found it both a wonderful experience in the main and also such a variety of "models" to view.
however, what put me off ever going again was the snobbery of those in the higher echelons of the modelling sphere.I found no one willing to chat about their beautiful model steam vehicles, and with their very well built ships seemed to to think that, by showing folders of their builds that all questions should have been answered.........some just don't or didn't realise that you just wanted to chat in general, rather than to probe their building techniques........
I feel that our hobby is for sharing with others, not keeping your knowledge to yourselves......
.and this is why such forums as mayhem is a god send to all ship/boat modellers.
that one visit put me off travelling to far flung places to see shows, and TBH Blackpool and Elsmere port are/were the only two I would go too...
.purely because of the elitism shown at MEX, all those years ago,
Sadly though it doesn't stop there. some years ago I went to the Southport lifeboat show at the new venue, to show ff the "new" Liverpool class lifeboat I had developed for Dave Metcalf. a chap came to look at the model, and asked all sorts of questions about it, and I happily answered his inquiries. I had seen that he had a beautiful working model of a steam lifeboat that I had always fancied trying...
.I went over to him as he had the top off showing internals to another modeller. As I approached he quickly put the top on the boat, and when I asked if I could look at the internals he refused point blank.over the next 3 years he refused twice more, even though he wanted me to get a model of the Ann Letitia Russell at reduced price on mates rates...
this is the sort of behaviour that does our modelling brethren no favours at all, and happily I am glad the way I am...
.I am arrogant, bolshy and don't like idiots, but I am helpful and proud of it, and I like to think that anyone can come to me for help, and not be ignored.