Most Enjoyable Exhibition?

[south_tyne]

What has been your most enjoyable show as an exhibitor? As anyone who has displayed a layout at an exhibition will be able to testify to, some are far more satisfying than others to participate in. I have exhibited my own layout, or been part of a team with someone else's, at quite a few shows over the years. This has ranged from huge shows, such as York at Easter, to very small local jamborees. 

 

I thought it might be nice to have a positive and upbeat thread to share good experiences from the circuit. 

To kick it off......

 

My own favourite, where I took my small 009 layout to, was undoubtedly The Grand MRC show in Bishop Auckland. Sadly now defunct, this was a magnificent event organised by Mike (aka Mr 'durham light infantry') of this parish. Not only was it held in a pub, but the standard of modelling was superb and the catering was also excellent from memory. It must be over a decade since I did this, but it was such an enjoyable experience, all the better for being hosted in an eclectic venue with beer on tap! Ticked another box as the venue was a 10 minute walk from my gran's house, so I was free to partake in the hospitality on offer!! I lament the loss of this fine event......

 

This would be closely followed by the time I did the annual exhibition organsised by the Thirsk MRC. Again, the standard of modelling on display was second to none, and there were some absolutely fantastic, inspirational layouts in attendance. Only a one day show but really enjoyable. 

 

I must admit, I have always enjoyed participating in smaller, more intimate shows, rather than larger ones. You normally get much more opportunity to interact with the public at small exhibitions, normally without barriers etc, in a more relaxed environment. Having said that, I really enjoyed the experience of doing larger events such as York and Alexandra Palace too, but they are very tiring and draining, which can sometimes impact on the enjoyment! 

 

Just thought others might like to share positive experiences......?
 

[The Johnster]

Club I was with back in the 80s showed our layout at the National Science Museum's open day at RAF Wroughton, near Swindon; the Museum has several hangers full of stuff there.  We were looked after royally, regular teas and sandwiches brought around, and given seats from the original prototype Concorde to sit on.  

 

If you see one of these open days advertised, go; they're brilliant!

[peach james]

Great British Train Show.  Put on by someone who knows the value of free coffee and donuts...

 

Helps that it's basically more of a convention than a show.  Of the ~1500 attendees in total, probably 300+ of them are die hard fans.  I went.  From 3500 km away.  With a layout.

 

James

[Pete the Elaner]

I think it is often who you are with & who you see there which helps.

This made Leytonstone enjoyable for me. Being a 1 day show made it more relaxing but I always went with a group of friends, taking a layout between us & met up with several other friends there...then some of us also used to meet up in a pub before heading home.

[Ian Morgan]

The most bizarre location we went to was at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton, in amongst the aircraft, quite a few years ago.

 

Rather than name individual exhibitions, the best exhibitions offer:

• ample free parking
• easy access for loading and unloading, and not too far to carry large, heavy bits of a layout
• enough room to get around the layout
• refreshments and lunch

The less enjoyable ones (and we have probably all been there) have:

• limited and awkward loading/unloading space with long term parking a long walk away
• long narrow corridors and narrow doorways
• layouts packed in like sardines
• limited refreshments and no lunch

 

Saying that though, what really makes a good exhibition is the visitors. Talking to, and answering the questions of truly interested members of the public, and friendly banter with other exhibitors and traders makes the time pass quickly and enjoyably.

 

 

[TheQ]

Sadly I've only Exhibited at half a dozen exhibitions.

 The first was in 1977 the RAF Locking layout, at an Exhibition down by the docks, i don't remember much about it, but it was hard work. I don't remember being given a meal, but the food came from somewhere. Easy parking for our lorry

 

The Second was about 4 years ago at our own show (Broadland MRC first weekend in October each year) there you get a bacon butty 1/2 an hour before opening, a main and sweet at lunch time (nothing spectacular but filling) and unlimited tea and coffee throughout the day. Parking tight for exhibitors but you can get with in 10ft of a door.

 

 The 3rd was at  the smaller Norwich show, Sandwiches for lunch, unlimited teas and coffee, Parking very restricted  but flat and easy to get into the premises.

 

The 4th was the Rickinghall Show. We were in a marquee, on a hot summers day, got very unpleasant for a while till they moved the icecream van outside, that was pumping diesel fumes into the tent. Easy parking and an otherwise enjoyable show sadly it's no longer with us ..

 

 The others were repeats from above.

 

My favourite  our own show of course, it may be a lot of hard work getting the show on, but I'll do a lot for a bacon butty..

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

I was told by a then teenage friend - with two days notice - that he needed me and these items of my stock ; to operate a model he had constructed at a fundraiser in a church hall. (He had meant to call the week previous, but an emergency 'parachute in' theatre lighting engagement drove it out of his mind.)

 

It was so much fun. We spent the day entertaining hordes of small children, his layout worked perfectly, his father stepped in as relief man, good time had by all. Oh and the 9F beat Thomas hands down in the 'small people's choice' vote for the next loco to work a train.

 

[Chris M]

To a large degree the quality of the visitors can make a show for an exhibitor. Some shows nobody seems to notice any of the finer points of my layout . Some shows there are very few good conversations. Other shows you can have lots of interesting conversations and discuss aspects of both the layout and real railways. The ones where you have the most interesting conversations are the best shows for me.

[Chris M]

I wouldn't like to state any show was the best but it is nice to appreciate the special aspects of various shows. Taunton for lunch, closely followed by Warley although I love the one local show that takes your order for either mini fish or sausage and chips for lunch. Swindon Museum for the most interesting venue - a couple of days running my layout with a statue of IKB looking over was strangely intimidating. Exeter for the accomodation (single rooms) in the Uni and an excellent breakfast . Stafford for being a very good and rather large exhibition which remains personal and friendly.

[davknigh]

I’ll put in a vote for the Great British Train Show. I appreciate getting in the day before for set up. Other shows expect you to set up on the day of the show which usually means getting up at silly times in order to be ready for the opening crowd. Full disclosure, I am a member of The Platelayers, the club that organizes the show but that doesn’t mean I can’t like it. I’d love to do Scaleforum but someone went and stuck an ocean in the way.

 

Cheers,

 

David

[Danemouth]

For me the most enjoyable show was the Cardiff Small Show last January. Why?

 

I actually exhibited a layout - Danemouth - albeit a work in progress. I never thought the day would come when i would be in a position to exhibit anything!

 

After all my hamfistedness is of legendary proportions so to acheive this was a huge milestone for me.

 

Dave

[25901]

For me it has to be the old Rochdale shows in the town hall on both floors. Got me started and there was always tons of space to walk round. No DCC sound or fancy sale stand, just lots of tables and the sound of near silent layouts. Heaven 

[south_tyne]

Some great responses so far  Another event which springs to mind is the time me and a mate took our 009 layout to the Tanfield Railway 'Legends of Industry' weekend. Layouts were set up and operated in one of the sheds down at the loco depot which was definitely an experience! 

[298]

Setting up in front of Mallard at the NRM, especially when the lights went into eerie "night mode" and there was just us in the Great Hall. 

 

Uckfield was just about perfect and although I had local help I was staying over on my own and wouldn't choose to be away from the family for a two night show again, the layout was well received but was a bit of a swansong as that one hasn't been out since.

 

I'm still reflecting on last Saturday as I debuted a new layout and tried to get the public more involved either in operating or putting their smartphones in the layout to take more close up photos, but on the whole it wasn't a crowd pleaser in the general sense as most punters seem to want to look at a layout in the same way they'd look at the Mona Lisa.

[Persephone]

On 06/06/2019 at 21:29, 25901 said:

For me it has to be the old Rochdale shows in the town hall on both floors. Got me started and there was always tons of space to walk round. No DCC sound or fancy sale stand, just lots of tables and the sound of near silent layouts. Heaven 

 

 You didnt have to carry the barrier (Scaffold Tube) up and down the Town Hall stairs at the set up and strip down lol

 

I did the MRJ show at Central Hall with Trevor Hughes' Tan y Grisiau, that show was something else albeit a one off. Top class accommodation and an absolute superb show, stuff of legends. But for your annual show it has to be York. It will always be my favourite show as an exhibitor.

[Tim V]

I did 39 shows with Clutton (would have been 40, but for snow ...).

York, Wigan, Warley, Ally Pally, I could go on.

The show that sticks out most in my mind was being invited to Utrecht. A long way, across the channel. The most difficult show to organise.

We were in the 'foreign' section! That night, I was sitting in a bar in Utrecht, quaffing Dutch beer thinking 'my hobby has brought me here'. It can't get better than that.

[Guest Jack Benson]

When we were exhibiting, our domestic venues were sparse, no doubt due to the rather specialised subject matter. However, of the events:- Imrex, York, Warley and Manchester were all notable for their organisation and access. 

 

Instead, our appeal across the channel, was utterly different and we enjoyed repeated appearances at both Dortmund and Sedan, other venues included the Netherlands whilst our furthest foray was Munich. Not bad for two tired old men and hired minivan. 

 

Exhibiting finally finished last November, the pleasure had been replaced with concerns about hip and another knee replacement, consequently, Taunton was the last venue and truly excellent, a credit to Steve Pike. 

 

Cheers

 

Jack 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[south_tyne]

On 10/06/2019 at 17:12, Tim V said:

York, Wigan, Warley, Ally Pally, I could go on.

 

As I have said, I prefer smaller more eclectic shows but I must admit I have really enjoyed exhibiting at York, Ally Pally and Warley when the opportunity has presented itself. Rather than with my layout, I have done these larger shows with my uncle's 0 gauge trainset, certainly an experience and another modelling goal ticked off the list. It's my ambition to do York with my own layout one day...... well you never know!l stranger things have happened!

[Dava]

The 7mm NGA 40th anniversary show at Burton last Saturday was pretty close. Weather outside made us appreciate being inside. Most exhibitors would prefer to look at the other great layouts than run their own.  Bacon baps & the friendly repartee which comes with narrow gauge events . One-day event. 

 

Dava

[PaulRhB]

Shows where they make you feel welcome and looked after. From Rotarail to Warley that has been done and many others too. One show I do miss is Narrow Gauge Southwest at Shepton, Howard’s slightly chaotic organisation, the groups help and humour and an atmosphere of a club night. It was always a bit of a trek, only one day so set up and break down all in one day but it always felt worth it  

Too many great experiences to pick out a favourite but they included hog roasts, full size train rides, evening socials that were organised by the group or just happened with other exhibitors at the pub. 

[MartinWales]

I never ever thought that when I started exhibiting over 20 years ago that I would be in a position that I would come into contact with many people whose articles I had read and consumed. Also being involved with the organization and set up of two UK exhibitions, and exhibiting at such diverse places as Ally Pally and York, and from Southampton in the South to Perth in the North.

 

Must be the one where we won best layout and being interviewed on BBC Local Radio 

[Denbridge]

I still miss the annual MRC shows at Central Hall.  Im showing my age haha.

[Guest Jack Benson]

Hi,

 

Rather than list wherever we have been lucky enough to be invited, may I ask, what are the essential elements that ensure that an exhibiting experience is enjoyable?

 

Although subjective in its nature, surely there is some common ground?

 

In no particular of merit:- 

 

1. Distance

2. Easy access

3. Safe and comfortable accommodation

4. Timely agreed expenses

5. Exhibition venue environment

6. Appreciative and engaging audience

 

Rarely have we encountered all these but four out of six is a good average, with grim memories of an occasion when just one.

 

Cheers

 

Jack

[AndrewC]

On 06/06/2019 at 01:57, peach james said:

Great British Train Show.  Put on by someone who knows the value of free coffee and donuts...

 

Helps that it's basically more of a convention than a show.  Of the ~1500 attendees in total, probably 300+ of them are die hard fans.  I went.  From 3500 km away.  With a layout.

 

James

I echo this. The GBTS in Brampton was for me the best exhibition I've ever attended. More beer than coffee though. Drove layouts, yes plural, twice from Calgary. The early days of Supertrain in Calgary were fantastic events as well. In the UK I'd have to say the Wimborne exhibition is my favourite. 

[Joseph_Pestell]

54 minutes ago, Denbridge said:

I still miss the annual MRC shows at Central Hall.  Im showing my age haha.

 

I don't. Dreadful venue for an exhibition although good for conferences.

 

Royal Ag Hall was much better.