Geoff Endacott Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I have been prompted to start this thread by comments from the management at Calne Leisure Centre - the venue for last weekend's Calne Model Rail Show. We have been doing so well that their new marketing manager wants to hold another model railway exhibition at a different time of year. I suppose that a tenfold increase in turnover at their cafeteria is one reason they want extra shows. There are many reasons this isn't going to happen. If they want two model railway shows a year they are going to have to organise them both because I will not want to be involved. However, are there any other events which they might consider to bring people in. In short, do any other hobbies run exhibitions where 2,000 people will pay about £5.00 each to attend? I may then send the best ideas on to Calne Leisure Centre and suggest that they get on with it. Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Sounds like someone's just after some money with no idea of what it involves and, of course, doesn't have any source for exhibits or traders except perhaps buying a modelling magazine and trawling through the adverts. In my experience, the "commercial shows" run by magazines and suchlike are often done more with profit than the public in mind, and as a result the general standard often drops, not just in layouts but often traders turn out to be the big box shifters selling the same thing and the "small traders" and specialist suppliers can't afford the extortionate stand rent - and there's little to no space available for free to societies and suchlike as that doesn't help to maximise profit. Personally I would far more go to one show run by a small club, by modellers for modellers, than ten "magazine" type shows in a year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim V Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Dolls house show? Squires attend those. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
10800 Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 What else do they have on through the year at the moment Geoff (to avoid duplication)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugsley Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 They might be able to put on a more general modelling show to attract air and AFV modellers, the one held at Yeovilton seems quite popular, although the location may have something to do with that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukedog Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 My brother does military modelling and quite often tells me about shows and exhibitions he's attended. Some of the scenic stuff on sale from the traders would suit railway modellers (or so he tells me) Must get to have a look one day. Cheers frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted January 24, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 24, 2012 My brother does military modelling and quite often tells me about shows and exhibitions he's attended. Some of the scenic stuff on sale from the traders would suit railway modellers (or so he tells me) Must get to have a look one day. Cheers frank Definitely worth it Frank - and a potential here for Calne as well perhaps is the mixed modelling show held in the school at Cholsey and now seemingly an annual event. A few small model railways but the accent - including sales stands - is on aircraft and military modelling plus other things as well including ships but it does have the advantage of a playground and field outside which allows model aircraft flying, large scale r/c tanks and miniature traction engines. But some excellent scenic stuff/paints/texture type things on sale (and some truly esoteric aircraft kits!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 SWMBO attends a few quilting, tapestry and needlecraft shows, no idea of the numbers that attend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 What else do they have on through the year at the moment Geoff (to avoid duplication)? Nothing! Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor Old Bruce Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Craft Fairs Family History Fairs Antique Fairs Toy and Train Fairs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 http://ipmsuk.co.uk/ There'll be a local or regional branch that might well be interested. steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Geoff- tell those capitalists to do their own homework, they can either: a) Look in the area for other venues holding specialised sporting events or fairs and approach those organisers with a view to enticing them to switch to their venue, or B) Look at similar sized model railway shows up and down the country, and find out what else is being held there. For example, the home to the Nottingham Model Railway Show, the Harvey Hadden Stadium, also hosts Computer and Postcard fairs, a Fencing tournament, and Ju Jitsu, Aikido and Hockey competitions over the next few months. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 They are not really capitalists - they are a charitable organisation which is why I am included to help. Calne Leisure Centre is a good venue for our exhibition and we want to keep going there every January for our model railway exhibition. It closed down four years ago as a victim of local authority cuts and reopened as an Industrial Provident Society which is a charity run by local people. It's run a bit like a village hall only a lot bigger. I think they only want to find other ways to generate the sort of revenue we do in order to keep the place going. The suggestions so far have been useful. Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted January 26, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 26, 2012 Mention it on a forum such as Britmodeller, they cover a broad canvas (Aircraft, Marine, Military). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted January 26, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 26, 2012 They are not really capitalists - they are a charitable organisation which is why I am included to help. Calne Leisure Centre is a good venue for our exhibition and we want to keep going there every January for our model railway exhibition. It closed down four years ago as a victim of local authority cuts and reopened as an Industrial Provident Society which is a charity run by local people. It's run a bit like a village hall only a lot bigger. Thanks for explaining that - I thought it was just the local council trying to cash in on your success. The Derby Exhibition started about 30 years ago when someone at the council thought he could organise a show without involving the local group - it was a total disaster as nothing was formally booked or confirmed and he realised only a day or two before that no exhibitors were going to turn up. As there had been a lot of publicity and advertising we very quickly arranged a few layouts and a local trader to at least get something there and from that we were invited to take over from the original organiser who almost lost his job because of the mess he made of the arrangements. Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted January 26, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 26, 2012 What about : - a local college Hair & Beauty dept hosting a fashion show - local artists / art exhibition - wedding fair - local small businesses exhibition / conferences (seek out the local business ' networking' groups) HTH Stu Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUXTON TOY FAIR Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Toy Fairs and Specialist Fairs associated with them - Modelling, Teddies, Dolls, Miniatures, etc - started running a few of these myself along with the Toy Fairs and Swapmeets. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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