expoEM Autumn 2018

[leopardml2341]

 

For your information, A4 sized printed signs were put up on the outside entrance to the venue near Reception and on the end wall adjacent to the rather small unprepossessing entrance door.

The ones I saw still branded the show Expo EM North.......

[Persephone]

So determined are the folk of Partington to escape that the good people of Irlam had to put containers across the old Partington line over the Ship Canal to keep the tide of Partington refugees out.

Partington. If the world had piles, this is where they would be.

 

On a serious note though whether people who visited think it's easy to get to or not (definitely not by public transport) the common perception is clearly that it isn't, as the general exhibition going modellers are not attending. That needs to be addressed. If another venue in the Manchester area is considered then it needs to be in a centre with a good transport hub very nearby, not stuck in hall or school on a housing estate in some suburb.

[RANGERS]

Venues for Expo EM events has long been a bone of contention and whilst Bracknell has much to commend it, assuming you're travelling by car or if by train, you're starting from London, its not the ideal location. Partington is similar by the sound of things. Whilst theres no ideal location, one which is easily accessible by both road and rail and with connections from as many locations as possible, might be a bigger draw for a potential audience which is largely of advancing years and will have the benefit of concessionary rail fares.

 

I have to confess I've not been to the North event since it moved from Slaithwaite, travel to Manchester from the East Mids is awkward and expensive, or involves a lengthy leg by car to the WCML. Add to that the reliance on connections by bus, or train and bus, and it loses a great deal of its appeal. Personally, a venue on the East of the hill would be preferable but it would be interesting to see how many members are located within 120-150mins travel time of the options around Manchester compared with sample locations on the East.

 

The show this year came close to tempting me, it really did look a superb line-up, but the travel time, cost of it coupled with the awkward connections from Manchester, took the gloss off it for me I'm afraid. I gave the summerhouse a couple of coats of timber treatment instead!

[woodenhead]

The Trafford centre has a lovely exhibition centre, lots of parking, plenty of buses and soon trams.

 

But it's Peel Holdings and they will see themselves like The NEC, therein lies an issue, good transport connections means popular means expensive.

[Kelly]

Another fantastic show. Natalie and myself missed last years show due to my ill health that week last year. However I booked a hotel for this year so we could  enjoy both days (like we do for S4N and ExpoEM Spring, much better than driving back the same day!).

 

The quality of the layouts was great. Didn't spend a great deal as funds were limited, but got a few bits needed.

 

As a disabled visitor the venue is for the most part fairly good, the members sale area aside (didn't venture to it at all on the Saturday as I forgot to go near a cash point!).

 

The biggest problem really is the parking, especially on the Saturday. When we arrived it was impossible to get to the parking round the back as people had started double parking on the entrance road! thankfully though someone from the football team organising moved their car so I could park and unload the scooter without needing to park it a way away in a side street somehow. Sunday was easier due to less visitors.

 

Overall a great show. Hopefully whatever venue is chosen for next year proves to be good for the main criteria (accessibility, transport access and parking) and another fantastic show can be had. I think it'd be a shame if it were to merge with another show as i rather like S4N as it is, having ExpoEM Autumn in the Manchester side of the country feels right to balance things in a sense.

[Wizard of the Moor]

Thanks to the organisers from the Waterloo Street team. We had a very enjoyable weekend and thought the show was excellent. The only major problem was that the pub next to the hotel had run out of beer by Saturday evening. Not sure how that happened...

[davefrk]

Thanks to the organisers from the Waterloo Street team. We had a very enjoyable weekend and thought the show was excellent. The only major problem was that the pub next to the hotel had run out of beer by Saturday evening. Not sure how that happened...

 

If it's the pub I'm thinking on they couldn't run a pee up in a brewery....

 

Fiona thought the layout frontage was a scream James.

 

Dave Franks.

[Leander]

The ones I saw still branded the show Expo EM North.......

They were old ones Andy. Mind you, there's still an 'identity' problem some still calling it 'North' with others using 'Autumn'.

[leopardml2341]

They were old ones Andy. Mind you, there's still an 'identity' problem some still calling it 'North' with others using 'Autumn'.

Agreed, but the EMGS should surely know which it is and not display the 'old' name on their signage?

 

As for location, FWIW I preferred Slaithwaite for many reasons - not least the fact that it is on the 'right' side of the hills.

[t-b-g]

From what I was told this was the last one in the Partington venue.

 

What happens in the future will no doubt be released as and when the EMGS decides we are ready to hear the news. There were various rumours floating around, none of which filled me with great excitement.

 

Location is a big part in the success or otherwise of such a show and good car parking, public transport links and good journey times to a wide area make a huge difference. The present venue does suffer in all these respects and over the years low attendance has meant poor returns for traders, some of whom no longer go. It is how show start to decline and I don't want that to happen to this one.

 

So the decision as to what happens next is a big one. I would love to see the show somewhere like the Dome at Doncaster, where the GOG show is doing really well, or even at the same venue as Scalefour North. Both have proved to be excellent venues and I don't see a problem with two shows at the same venue 6 months apart.

[Reorte]

So the decision as to what happens next is a big one. I would love to see the show somewhere like the Dome at Doncaster, where the GOG show is doing really well, or even at the same venue as Scalefour North. Both have proved to be excellent venues and I don't see a problem with two shows at the same venue 6 months apart.

The advantage of different, widely-spaced venues is that there's a better chance of at least one of them being nearby for more people. By road at least even if definitely not by public transport the current location is quite convenient for a lot of population centres in the NW and that's an important factor to consider. That all said if moving to the same venue as another show secures the show's future (and it looks like something needs to change) then that's the right choice to make of course. Edited September 11, 2018 by Reorte

[31A]

The only major problem was that the pub next to the hotel had run out of beer by Saturday evening. Not sure how that happened...

 

 

The Leeman Road crew drank it all on Friday night ....

[TheSignalEngineer]

Public transport access problems are not unique to Partington. If NorthernFail was working properly it is about 2 hours for me opposed to less than 1 hour drive. Closer to a main centre is better if available at the right price, although the West side of Manchester does open up easier travel options for Merseyside, North Wales and the western side of the Midlands.

 

Personally, if I drive to Doncaster or Wakefield it takes just over an hour whereas public transport is two to three hours, so the likelihood of me attending if I couldn't drive is minimal.

[vitalspark]

I wonder if the venue the Manchester MRC uses for their Christmas show is available? No problems with transport there.

 

Great show once again and easy to access once again.

 

I listen to the comments regarding re locating but Partington is 15 mins traffic free off the M6 at jct 21 ..what could be easier from either the north or the south?

 

We were 3 hrs down and same home from Glasgow.

 

If the gates through to the school are secured open then parking is also pretty decent.

[John of York61]

The Leeman Road crew drank it all on Friday night ....

 

Nah....I blame Roy Jackson's crew!  Still, an enjoyable weekend was had by us all. Thanks to the organisers for a great weekend. 

[pete55]

Nah....I blame Roy Jackson's crew!  Still, an enjoyable weekend was had by us all. Thanks to the organisers for a great weekend. 

 

Probably right....we did have a fair amount!

[John_Miles]

I have only attended once, as an exhibitor, and I thought it was a brilliant exhibition, one of the best I have been to, better than Bracknell. The downside is I live in South Wales and I don't like the idea of spending most of my day travelling. Cardiff to Piccadilly by train is over 3 hours and you have to add in the time to get to the station and bus to the venue, By car there is the car park known as the M6. 

[Enterprisingwestern]

The advantage of different, widely-spaced venues is that there's a better chance of at least one of them being nearby for more people. By road at least even if definitely not by public transport the current location is quite convenient for a lot of population centres in the NW and that's an important factor to consider. That all said if moving to the same venue as another show secures the show's future (and it looks like something needs to change) then that's the right choice to make of course.

 

The problem being, that without the membership figures to back this up we don't don't know how many people are "more nearby" to any given location.

For whatever reason attendance at some society shows are not exactly setting the world on fire, Stoke Mandeville is a pretty ropey place to get to generally, but Railex is well attended, S4um less so, and Bracknell should be very well attended due to it's proximity to the core membership, but isn't.

There isn't a simple answer to the lack of attendances, especially at specialist shows, maybe exhibition fatigue is setting in, the more there are the better the chance one will near enough for people to bother attending, so a degree of selectivity is setting in?

 

Mike.

[247 Developments]

I have only attended once, as an exhibitor, and I thought it was a brilliant exhibition, one of the best I have been to, better than Bracknell. The downside is I live in South Wales and I don't like the idea of spending most of my day travelling. Cardiff to Piccadilly by train is over 3 hours and you have to add in the time to get to the station and bus to the venue, By car there is the car park known as the M6. 

 

were in south wales & we drove up & never went on the M6 just over 3 hours plus stops

[Mark Forrest]

For me, it's often the attendance of a trader who has something that I want (in particular those without an online ordering facility) that sways my decision on whether to attend show. This has always been a positive point for ExpoEM events.

[TheSignalEngineer]

 

There isn't a simple answer to the lack of attendances, especially at specialist shows, maybe exhibition fatigue is setting in, the more there are the better the chance one will near enough for people to bother attending, so a degree of selectivity is setting in?

 

Mike.

I certainly am more selective as I get older. My total will probably end up at five or six where I used to attend about twelve.

The weather, road works and train strikes have all been factored in to my selections this year as well as the usual selection of layouts on view and traders attending.

On Saturday I bought stuff from six traders, got a couple of ideas for possible future / altered models, saw a lot of good layouts, chatted with some old friends and learned a few things from demos. It was a really worthwhile trip, possibly the best I will make this year.

[vitalspark]

I certainly am more selective as I get older....

 

 

Herein lies the problem..the average age of the more serious modellers that attend these finescale shows is getting older each year.

Quality finescale shows with specialist trade are the highlight of my calendar and I'm sure many more like me but we are a dwindling bunch given the advancing years.

Personally I would like to think that I'll still be looking forward to these shows in 10 years time but who knows.

Our own group has exhibited at many quality shows over the last 10 years and we are currently building another large finescale layout but the concern is that by the time its ready given the average age of the group will we still have a membership fit enough to travel and exhibit it?

Purely from a personal viewpoint I would rather have a venue west of the Pennines and as said Partington is an easy drive via the M6.

Dave.  

[Leander]

Agreed, but the EMGS should surely know which it is and not display the 'old' name on their signage?

 

Maybe but the two that I put up on the main entrance outside door and next to the door into the hall were the only ones to hand on Saturday morning. I thought it more important to put the signs up so people knew where they were going. Some people who have been and are still involved with the show have never adapted to the name change, and I suspect never will.

[t-b-g]

Maybe but the two that I put up on the main entrance outside door and next to the door into the hall were the only ones to hand on Saturday morning. I thought it more important to put the signs up so people knew where they were going. Some people who have been and are still involved with the show have never adapted to the name change, and I suspect never will.

 

Having been to EXPO EM North since the Leeds Masonic Hall days, I just struggle to remember that it has a new name. It was a friend of mine who suggested the name change as he felt that having EXPO EM and EXPO EM North suggested that the Northern even was a "spin off" or subsidiary event whereas after the move out of Slaithwaite, the shows were more equal in size and scope. So calling them "Spring" and "Autumn" reflected that. 

 

But I am guilty of still using "North" from time to time as that is what comes to mind first when the event crops up in conversation. I really don't think the terminology and the occasional use of "North" confuses or puts anybody off. It isn't easy giving an "old familiar friend" a new name!

[leopardml2341]

Don't get me wrong, I also refer to it (incorrectly) as 'North'.

 

Just recounting my observation on the day

Edited September 12, 2018 by leopardml2341