Demonstrations at Model Railway Shows - Feedback from 2014

[Barry O]

I have asked Andy ( and he said OK)  if I can I start a thread in exhibitions which seeks feedback from you with respect to what would help you most from demonstrators at Model Railway Shows.  So here is the question - if you have an idea outside of the 4 potential "ways ahead" please PM me and I can take these on board. I will do a review of the outcomes at the end of December and will be putting some of these ideas into practice at a show next November.

 

What do you want from the demonstrators at Shows:

 

1  Display of items and questions and answers with the demonstrator?

 

2  Display of items and some work being undertaken by the demonstrator?

 

3  Small display - demonstration of technique then you get the opportunity to have a go?

 

4  Short presentation in a theatre followed by hands on?

 

 

Best Regards

 

Barry O

 

[Coombe Barton]

Number 2 for me - I can see the expert at work. As long as they provide ways to follow up at home.

 

Number 1 - not really - Not much difference from an attended static exhibit.

 

Number 4 - I don't have that much time to give. I've suffered enough with 'talks'. And I want to do my own hands on without being time constrained.

 

Number 3 - ditto for the hands on.

[Gruffalo]

I think you were operating to options 2 & 3 at Warley although you had suggested you would be in mode 3 throughout. I think the second proposal may be best because the turnaround time with a lot of visitors at a large show is faster. If you are at a smaller show, I would vote for #3.

[Coombe Barton]

Further to Gruffalo's comment:

 

Number 3 is a one to one experience - you may exclude other people who may want to watch the expert at work.

 

With number 2 - you can gauge what you're doing to the entire audience and engage them all.

 

But with any demo you can have friends blocking the paying public's view - you have to manage them as well.

[Barry O]

Further to Gruffalo's comment:

 

Number 3 is a one to one experience - you may exclude other people who may want to watch the expert at work.

 

With number 2 - you can gauge what you're doing to the entire audience and engage them all.

 

But with any demo you can have friends blocking the paying public's view - you have to manage them as well.

With the current table layout at Warley I managed to stay in number 3 mode most of the time but reverted to 2 if there was nobody sat down or watching - it catches the eye but keep the scoring coming - I am in a position to use your input to move the demonstration part of at least two shows forward... 

[Accurascale Fran]

2 and/or 3 are the best I reckon. We never see activities like that at exhibitions on this side of the pond.

[Joseph_Pestell]

It might vary a bit according to what aspect of modelling you were demonstrating. Treemaking, for instance, lends itself to a display of the different stages of production. You can not really do that with loco building.

 

On the whole, I favour 2 - which usually results in rather more talking than actual modelmaking going on.

[37114]

My approach when giving demonstration has been Number 2, the general public seem more receptive/interested when they see you doing something as opposed to  #1 where you are sat behind work in progress. Never tried to do 3 and 4 myself which would require some careful orchestration to pull off in my view 

[Gordon A]

I would vote for2, but if you have spare materials availble to go for 3, i think that is a good option, so for me 2.5.

A display of items showing how the job is being done, with if possible a chance to have a go.

By being given a chance to have a go materials or parts will be used and possibly rendered useless, so who is going to pay for / supply the materials used in the demonstration?

 

Gordon A

Bristol

[Michael Edge]

I use method 2 for demos but I do expect to do much more talking than building at a busy show. For anyone who wants to get hands on experience I usually have plenty of scrap for cutting/folding/soldering practice etc.

[Kenton]

For me it really depends on what is being demonstrated, what level it is being demonstrated at, and what level; of skill I already believe I have.

 

Take for example a demonstration on soldering - I'm unlikely to be enticed sit down as I believe I have little to learn, however if what was being built interests me or I 'know' the demonstrator then I might - but would feel guilty by occupying the chair and preventing someone else gaining knowledge.

 

Against that someone demonstrating airbrushing - I can do it but badly in my view, I would have questions to ask and a open mind to learn and improve.

 

Track building I want to see the results and be shown the basics even a workshop to come away with a completed item - that requires more of a hands on supervision. I'm happy to pay for a kit of parts - even a small fee.

 

Finally some things lend themselves better to a lecture and presentation with plenty of time for discussion afterwards.

 

 

 

The most important thing about demonstrations is space to pull in onlookers and encouraging noises to invite the casual observer to sit down and join in. A particular ability that many demonstrators seem to lack.

 

[Ed] having reread that last sentence back to myself it could be seen as quite negative. That really was not my intent. It takes quite a great deal to be a good tutor rather than simply a demonstrator. I could demonstrate how to solder, and over the period of the show demonstrate a kit being built. I could probably interact during pauses and answer most questions on the subject. But would I be able to draw in folk to interact - I don't think so. I have seen one or two really professional kit builders at shows sat happily on the opposite side of a table simply getting on with what they brought to demonstrate, almost in their own little world with no one in front of them other than their regular pals chatting about the world. For some reason no one dares to intervene into that personal space. I don't think it is an easy job to do, and I doubt if one size fits all.

[10800]

I would go for 2, possibly 3 depending on what it was you were demonstrating.  Some things are easier (and safer) to let visitors have a go at than others.

 

But I agree with Kenton in that the biggest attribute must be an ability to encourage the hovering visitor in.  He/she is usually shy and nervous in these situations and needs to be made to feel welcome and comfortable.  If you are head down busy doing something for too long they won't make the first move.

[Taigatrommel]

I'd like to see more events with timetabled workshops/talks in a room away from the main hall, eg an hour on a given subject once in the morning and again in the afternoon.  When I've attended this sort of event, I've really come away feeling like I've learned something, without the sense of monopolising the demonstrator's time to the detriment of other visitors.

[The Stationmaster]

Barry - with your demo Method No.3 is ideal (thank you) and works well and encourages interest so I think it is the way to go where it is a practicable proposition. But Kenton makes the excellent point that it can be very dependent on what is being demonstrated and I would wonder about sitting down with whoever whilst he guides me through building a point in the same manner as you do your demo/teachin-in approach.

 

In my view the best alternative to No.3 is No.2 on your list but again it can be very 'one-to-one' in the way it actually works.  And while I have indulged in what amounts to a combination of these two methods when talking abut signalling at the Stafford Members' Days it - for example - could as readily be a subject which fits Kenton's lecture/discussion approach (which is in many respects a variation of your 4th method).  So it can all become very subject matter driven - with horses for courses - I think.

[37114]

To pick up on Kentons point, you need to make sure your Demo-ers and skills are aligned to the likely show audience. For example a local show with appeal to families and the average modeller audience will be more receptive to building kits, soldering demo's than say Scaleforum where the audience are more likely to be experienced in these areas but would be more interested in how to quater driving wheels post P4 conversion for example.

 

I also agree with Kenton's point on the person doing the demonstration being able to engage with the public for the demo to be effective. A simple "hello" and smile at a passer by is 50% of the way there in my experience.

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi Barry,

 

Sounds like you could be an ideal 'Scottish Modeller'....

 

At exhibitions we have used all 4 of the suggested methods you have listed - sometimes at the same show!

 

As we tend to be a very 'hands on' group of modellers it works for us - and the public.

 

We have had various demo ideas and projects that have enabled us to let visiting public have a go.

 

Our best response ahs been with our weathering demos where we have had visiting public try out the methods we just demonstrated themselves.

 

At Modelrail Scotland - Glasgow 2014, we will be doing this very thing as a demo and then letting people give it a go themselves.

 

Of course, there are limitations to what can be done and how to get the involvement, but on several occasions we have had visitors watch a demo, then go and buy a model to give it a go themselves. If they don't get it right - we show them how by making their efforts more presentable!

 

Thanks

[Huw Griffiths]

I'd like to see more events with timetabled workshops/talks in a room away from the main hall, eg an hour on a given subject once in the morning and again in the afternoon.  When I've attended this sort of event, I've really come away feeling like I've learned something, without the sense of monopolising the demonstrator's time to the detriment of other visitors.

 

This sort of thing happens a lot at engineering trade shows - talks often take the form of seminars, with some of the better ones (at certain shows) actually being touted as accredited for CPD (continuing professional development) purposes for chartered / incorporated engineers.

 

Although I'm neither chartered nor incorporated, I still find many of these sessions very worthwhile.

 

 

To pick up on Kentons point, you need to make sure your Demo-ers and skills are aligned to the likely show audience. For example a local show with appeal to families and the average modeller audience will be more receptive to building kits, soldering demo's than say Scaleforum where the audience are more likely to be experienced in these areas but would be more interested in how to quater driving wheels post P4 conversion for example.

 

I also agree with Kenton's point on the person doing the demonstration being able to engage with the public for the demo to be effective. A simple "hello" and smile at a passer by is 50% of the way there in my experience.

 

Further points, which also apply to seminars at trade shows.

 

My background includes a lot of instrumentation stuff - so (at a trade show) I'd be likely to actively seek out a talk about (eg) strain gauges - especially if this talk were delivered by somebody who's interesting to listen to.

 

If the same guy were to pitch up at a model railway show and deliver the same talk, his audience would probably be non-existent (or consist of one person who's either baffled or asleep).

 

 

As for being capable of engaging with their audience, I think this should be the case with anyone delivering talks or demos. I also think it's fair to say that some people are much better at this than others.

 

 

Huw.

[Kenton]

I certainly do not want to turn this into a wish list but another example of a near in-promptu demonstration that seemed to go down really well was Brian's hands on lathe wheel "experiment" at Scale4um. Being in the close proximity and relevant to an adjacent layout removed it away from the more typical ducks in a row you see for most shows.

[mike morley]

The point originally made by Kenton and subsequently commented upon by others about the demonstrator being appropriate to the nature of the exhibition strikes a definite chord.

 

I once went to a mid-range club exhibition of the type where typical demonstrators were those showing how to do basic weathering and/or improvements of RTR stock, simple kit building, etc. 

In amongst them was someone building extremely high quality finescale pointwork of the type that you would expect to find at Scaleforum or ExpoEM.  I'd not long gone EM at the time and was finding pointwork such a struggle I was starting to wonder if I'd bitten off more than I could chew.  When I sat down to talk to him in search of guidance it rapidly became apparent that we were on totally different planets and that it was so long since he had been a novice he could not even comprehend the nature of my problems, never mind suggest a way of overcoming them.

 

Such an inappropriate demonstrator is more likely to put people off than encourage them.

[ELTEL]

One thing we must all remember is that the demonstrators all have there own ways of demonstrating, some are more skilled in the art of demonstration than others.

 

The demonstrators are giving there time for free to help follow modellers normally been paid traveling costs and accomodation as required only.

 

I feel if we start to dictate how they deomonstrate you will find we have a lot less modellers willing to take part.

 

Number 4 would also not work as the presure the demonstrator would be under would put nearly all the demonstrators I know off.

 

Having been a professional trainer for part of my working life the pressures are bad enough even when you are being paid for it.

 

I watch with interest.

[corax67]

Option 2 and 3 are the most useful, maybe even a hybrid of the two as has been suggested already.

 

Kenton is spot on that the approach does depend entirely on what is being demonstrated - at ExpoNG last month I saw someone demonstrating brass construction and actively encouraging younger visitors to sit & have a go along with letting inquisitive adults have a bash too. This was very well received.

 

At the same show were 2 stands relating to 3D printing - one had just examples and Q&A whilst the other had a 3D printer running alongside completed examples plus a highly enthusiastic demonstrator answering a plethora of queries - for me this was by far the more engaging of the two.

 

When I run my shunting puzzle at shows I find I spend the weekend discussing DCC in all it's aspects together with Kadee fitting & operation whilst operating the layout. The layout is deliberately not sceniced for just this reason. From past experience I also keep a couple of decoders, loco's minus bodies with decoders fitted, a Tortoise motor attached to an accessory decoder operating off a flying lead attached to my command station as well as a range of Kadee couplings and variety of wagons & coaches which have NEM fitted and glued #5's that people can fiddle with.

 

I often invite visitors (if they ask) to pop back when it's quiet and have a go for themselves, whether that be to try out DCC, Kadee or solving the puzzle.

 

This is all backed up with A3 laminated posters explaining the layout & operation, the Kadee primer and matching handouts for those who want more info.

 

It's knackering as an exhibitor but I find it great fun and it covers all the learning styles.

[Kenton]

 

The demonstrators are giving there time for free to help fellow modellers

This is a very important point. They are not professional and yet we do expect a certain level of professionalism from them. Unfair?

 

I have no idea how these volunteer demonstrators are selected for a show. Is it club members who have been cajoled into the role; some national list of experts recognised and invited by show managers; or a nod and a wink? (that mug put on a good show for them so lets try to get him/her in for our show?

 

OT a little, but is there some argument for a more professional stance - rewarding the excellent and yet still encouraging the new comer who may have something to offer?

 

How do shows even decide on what is the subject matter to be demonstrated? or how?

[Phil Parker]

At Warley, I was in number 1 mode with a selection of models I've built for print over the last year on display. Because I'm a generalist, it's difficult to pick a single aspect to cover. Having said that, we started talking at opening time on Saturday and didn't get a breather until 3:30 so I suppose we were doing something right. I feel that it's a good opportunity to let people handle the models, get a good look and ask questions. As a writer, I like the chance to engage with the audience too. Sometimes I get ideas for future articles but mostly I get a feel for the level people need the "how to" sections pitiched at. If you get asked the same question several times, it's a pretty good bet that lots of people not at the show also want to know.

 

In the past we've done some modelling - card buildings go down especially well at Warley - but this year there wasn't any time to do this.

 

Option 4, a presentation, can work well for the right person. I did this at Peterborough and didn't seem to bore too many people. The issue with this is the time taken to write it and then if you want to let the crowd have some hands on action afterwards, someone will have to fund the materials and equipment. Personally, the talks I've seen at the Model Engineer show tend to be lightly attended as they are in a seperate hall.

[dagrizz]

I agree with those who say that it depends on the technique being demonstrated. I was very glad that Barry O was not only able to demonstrate his weathering methods to me last weekend but that I was then able to have a go myself; and this was on the Saturday morning of  a busy Warley show. 

 

Conversely, at the Peterboro show last month I was asking Phil Parker about making buildings from plasticard and/or cardboard but I don't think that it was necessary to have seen it demonstrated or for me to try it out myself.

 

So I would go with 3 if appropriate, 1 or 2 otherwise.

 

I for one am very grateful that people such as Barry and Phil are there to help the likes of myself - I think we should all be very thankful that they put themselves out to share their skills and knowhow with us.

 

Graham

[corax67]

A drawback with option 4 - presentations - is the need to schedule them and to publish the schedule.

 

It can be frustrating for the casual show visitor to find they have missed out on seeing a particular presentation, or that it will not be repeated during their visit, whereas a stand in the main hall with option 2 or 3 will catch pretty much all visitors who walk by.