expoEM Autumn 2018

[ullypug]

Had a very enjoyable day yesterday. Drove up from Somerset on a whim, ended up helping on members sales for most of the day! Great selection of layouts and nice to have a catch up with people.

Always a very good show.

[woodenhead]

Had a very enjoyable day yesterday. Drove up from Somerset on a whim, ended up helping on members sales for most of the day! Great selection of layouts and nice to have a catch up with people.

Always a very good show.

There is a dedicated EM modeller, that's a long drive, the only way I'll do the reverse journey is by train and I am glad there is still a direct service between Manchester and WSM.

[Barry O]

Nice trip to this show fo rthe first time in many, many years.

 

Too many people I know meant less time watching and more time talking. Great to catch up with a lot of excellent people (and spending some money buying specialist items)

 

Only problem was finding a car parking space...

 

Baz

[Persephone]

I've had a good weekend there behind Glaisden. As all say, its a good friendly show with an excellent selection of layouts and traders and the opportunity to buy most things you need, unless you want rtr boxes to open. A jewel in the crown of Northern shows. Ive chatted to loads of people, met up with people not seen for yonks and had a grand weekend.

 

There's always a but though and my but is in keeping with most on here, the venue. An overspill estate in the backwoods of Manchester (cue Duelling Banjos. RIP Burt Reynolds) in a hall which is now run down is maybe not the place for a show like this, which primarily needs to attract modellers not the public. There's talk of going elsewhere in the Manchester area, to me its almost swapping like for like. Particularly today a number of traders mentioned to me that they were having a hard day.

 

It pains me as a hard and fast Lancastrian to say this, but the board should consider going  t'other side of the Pennines, possibly back to its roots in Wakefield. Scalefour North shows what a good move that is, its easy to get to from most areas in the North (and the South). Longer journey for me, but I'd still go.

[PenrithBeacon]

...

 

It pains me as a hard and fast Lancastrian to say this, but the board should consider going t'other side of the Pennines, possibly back to its roots in Wakefield. Scalefour North shows what a good move that is, its easy to get to from most areas in the North (and the South). Longer journey for me, but I'd still go.

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

[mark axlecounter]

Just got back home from doing my weathering demo. Managed to get a few locos done and great to catch up with friends and meet new people.

It is always a good show and well done the people who organised the show.

 

Mark

[Persephone]

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

I think the price of the Barnes Wallis building is a tad more than the EMGS is prepared to pay!

Edited September 9, 2018 by Persephone

[iak]

Does somewhere like Warrington Collage have a use?

It's on Winwick Road and were the Warrington MRS hold their show.

Mearly a suggestion...

[88D]

I've had a good weekend there behind Glaisden. As all say, its a good friendly show with an excellent selection of layouts and traders and the opportunity to buy most things you need, unless you want rtr boxes to open. A jewel in the crown of Northern shows. Ive chatted to loads of people, met up with people not seen for yonks and had a grand weekend.

 

There's always a but though and my but is in keeping with most on here, the venue. An overspill estate in the backwoods of Manchester (cue Duelling Banjos. RIP Burt Reynolds) in a hall which is now run down is maybe not the place for a show like this, which primarily needs to attract modellers not the public. There's talk of going elsewhere in the Manchester area, to me its almost swapping like for like. Particularly today a number of traders mentioned to me that they were having a hard day.

 

It pains me as a hard and fast Lancastrian to say this, but the board should consider going  t'other side of the Pennines, possibly back to its roots in Wakefield. Scalefour North shows what a good move that is, its easy to get to from most areas in the North (and the South). Longer journey for me, but I'd still go.

This, except I’m not a Lancastrian.

[Mark Forrest]

Really enjoyed my visit yesterday - think it's the first time I've visited as a paying punter since it was in held in Slaithwaite, having managed to get myself behind a layout most years since then! When we arrived (around 11) parking was looking a bit "interesting", fortunately the additional parking at the school around the back of the venue was pointed out to me and there was plenty of space there.

 

I'd say the size of the venue is about right for a show of this type. Assuming it does move to a new venue, I think what it really needs is a period of stability at a venue that it can make its home.

[Leander]

Attendances are disappointing and this year was no exception, particularly today (Sunday). Yeaterday (Saturday) there was a real 'buzz' in the Hall. Many who visited stayed 4 to 5 hours. I'll leave others to comment on the merits of the show but as one of the organizing team, I was extremely pleased with the quality of the exhibits on display.

[247 Developments]

well thats us home & unloaded

Edited September 9, 2018 by 247 Developments

[Guest]

As the Northern exhibition I feel it is to off centre. It is in the western part of the north west if that makes sense. At the very least it needs to be in the eastern part of the north west, i.e. more in the centre of the North. Ideally just off the M1 really. And a more accessible venue

[woodenhead]

Any exhibition will be in the wrong location for some, but if someone can make it from Somerset it can't be that 'out there'

 

Of course I am biased living 10 minutes down the road near George H Carnall

[Guest]

Does the society keep records from Slaithwaite days? The comparison of attendance numbers would be revealing.

[Leander]

Does the society keep records from Slaithwaite days? The comparison of attendance numbers would be revealing.

 

We do have records going back several years, to and including the 'Slawit' shows. I haven't got them to hand but clearly recall that attendances fell significantly following the move and haven't really recovered. George Carnell attendances have been higher than those at Partington but we are unable to use that venue as the British Gymnastics Association use it for coaching every Saturday morning.

 

We feel constrained by the fact that September is as busy month for shows so it's not a simple matter of moving to a week earlier (GOG at Telford) or a week later (Shipley) or the week after that, S4um. Now that might not impact too much on all potential attendees but we have our friends in the trade to consider.

 

At the moment five possible options are being considered, or very soon will be:

 

A. No show.

 

B Stay with the present situation at Partington, with all the disadvantages of the situation of the venue.

 

C Consider a different venue in the Greater Manchester area.

 

D Look for other venues outside the the north west areabut still in the north, maybe on 'tother side of the Pennines.

 

E A radical (for us) alternative about which I can say no more at this juncture.

 

If any reading this has any other ideas about how we can get an attendance to match the size and quality of the present exhibition, then let's be hearing from you.

Edited September 9, 2018 by Leander

[PMP]

I've not been since it moved from Slawitt. A central Pennine venue would (theoretically) be convenient for both sides west and east and probably along the M62 corridor, that was where Slawitt had a benefit for me, pretty simple access.

 

Suggestions,

 

A one day show if economically viable. I'm aware that's a potential PITA as far as both traders and exhibitors go, but might encourage footfall as its only available one day. I did Warminster show and Larkrail over the past years, one day shows, and apparently well attended. Commercially successful? don't know but I think they washed their face at least.

 

Combine with S4 north, ( I know, I've been in the sun too long). Similar interests, similar traders, make a mini Railex North perhaps other finescale S7/2FS Weekend show, 

 

Bi annual show current format, over a weekend

[Reorte]

What is the issue with the Partington location? Parking can be a struggle there but in terms of access it's just a few miles off the motorway down a straightforward road. Not so good for trains but they put on a bus. Plenty of popular shows are harder to get to.

[Patrick]

Just in the door after catching the last flight to Dublin from MAN. A thoroughly enjoyable couple of days, I must say. Thanks to all who popped over to the Accurascale stand (including a few individuals from this parish), and thanks to the EMGS for their warm hospitality!

[Mark Forrest]

If any reading this has any other ideas about how we can get an attendance to match the size and quality of the present exhibition, then let's be hearing from you.

To me, the current venue seems adequate. Some signs to make people aware of the additional parking wouldn't go amiss, but besides that it seemed OK.

 

It was good to see the Society's Facebook page being used to promote the show and also good to see use being made of this forum, hopefully that helped get the numbers up. I do think that the Society's own website is under utilised though. I rarely bother to look at it (unless to place an order with the society store) and a glance at the Latest News pane this morning shows entries from 27th August (bus details for the show), 2nd December 2017 and 8th October 2016. I wonder if increasing footfall to the website by updating it more frequently and making it more enticing to non-members might have some advantages, both from a show perspective and encouraging new members to join?

 

I really like the fact that there are ExpoEM Autumn and Scalefour North as two separate events with a good gap between them. However, (as a member of both societies) I'd welcome more collaboration between the two societies - although would prefer there to still be two "northern" shows. From my perspective (coming to them from the Midlands) which side of the Pennines they are on is largely irrelevant.

 

I do wonder if ExpoEM Autumn suffers for being in the same month as the main Scaleforum event, although I appreciate the point above that there are limited alternative weekends to chose from. Maybe there just are too many shows to be sustainable? Perhaps a more radical solution is to hold one EMGS event (rather than Spring and Autumn) at a more central location?

[Bonafide]

Bi annual show current format, over a weekend

Are you really suggesting that expoEM Autumn should be held twice a year?

 

Or, do you mean every other year, which is biennial?

[88D]

What is the issue with the Partington location? Parking can be a struggle there but in terms of access it's just a few miles off the motorway down a straightforward road. Not so good for trains but they put on a bus. Plenty of popular shows are harder to get to.

The issue is that, despite the quality of layouts and loyalty of traders, the attendance is not good enough. As someone said in an earlier post, a show must ‘wash its face’, this location probably makes a biggish loss. We need to find a location convenient for more people.

[Enterprisingwestern]

I do wonder if ExpoEM Autumn suffers for being in the same month as the main Scaleforum event, although I appreciate the point above that there are limited alternative weekends to chose from. Maybe there just are too many shows to be sustainable? Perhaps a more radical solution is to hold one EMGS event (rather than Spring and Autumn) at a more central location?

 

I know we all have different reasons for not attending, but for me personally, that is the problem.

Doubling up on flights, (even at Ryanair prices), accomodation, car hire and four days away a fortnight apart in the same month are the reasons I do EMGS/S4um alternate years, but with an even more crowded exhibition calendar finding alternatives is tricky.

I'd vote for plan E from the post above, I like radical!

 

Mike.

[Enterprisingwestern]

The issue is that, despite the quality of layouts and loyalty of traders, the attendance is not good enough. As someone said in an earlier post, a show must ‘wash its face’, this location probably makes a biggish loss. We need to find a location convenient for more people.

 

IMHO, exhibitions are a "benefit" of being in the society, any society come to that, and as such, as long as it doesn't make an eye watering loss and can be financed from funds, then making a profit, whilst nice, is not a prime object.

Of course, when the organisers put on an excellent show and nobody turns up, then that's another question.

 

Mike.

[woodenhead]

How are the society membership numbers holding up compared to Slaithwaite days - age profile and numbers will have an impact on awareness and ability to travel to the show.

 

The exhibits tended to show relatively fit and healthy people who could travel to alternative places but is that the tip of an iceberg and there is a large majority of people who don't/won't/can't travel to the show.

 

It's not your typical show and without the barriers you don't want too many people and whilst it is nice having locals visit the lack of barriers has made me gasp in past years at some antics of people who may not appreciate the fragility of the models.

 

The other challenge of course, finding somewhere comparable in price to Partington, a train station nearby with regular weekend trains and buses, parking, near to A roads/Motorways without a football ground in the vicinity and a decent shaped hall big enough and bright enough for the exhibits.  Seeing the Manchester show back in central Manchester is sort of nice, but last year it had grown a bit, exhibits were all over the place in obscure rooms with steps everywhere - not ideal whereas at the sports hall it was contained in a single ground floor unit with ladies hockey as a happy bi-product.  No train line (Fallowfield shut to passengers in 1954, thanks BR) but plenty of parking and plenty of buses - but not as popular.

 

The complete polar opposite of course is Warley - right next to a mainline station, more parking than you can ever want, massive sports hall and footfall higher than I can count on my hands and feet but a very high cost.  Are people beginning to expect this kind of location now for exhibitions as they cost a fortune?

 

I think PMP's suggestion of combining with other finescale groups might have some mileage - one exhibit is always from a different scale so why not some more - it was the first model I saw on Saturday and I didn't notice the scale just the quality.  At the end of the day a lot of the tools required to model in any scale are similar or the same from a trade perspective plus other specialist traders for the models as well, you can attract more modellers and create an even more high quality show than it already is.