Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition

OW!

I think we both know exhibitions depend on people exhibiting to 'make' the show, and I don't want to belittle the efforts of those who exhibit (I've exhibited myself, at MMEX as well as MEX). But it's often forgotten what's involved in allowing that to happen and often includes a large number of volunteers helping out as well, a lot more than just setting up a dozen tables in an empty hall.

Neil

We could always admire the organisation team if there are no exhibits

I've organised Stationary engine rally's which can take months to organise, organising exhibitors, toilets, working with land owners, services etc. Raising funds through sponsorship and advertising for programs, finding volunteers from the club was the hardest part so I can understand what it takes to put on a four day event and then you have to deal with the no shows and the complaints, which can be abusive, and when its over you start again for next year.

Martin P

Edited By martin perman on 22/10/2018 20:58:35

Was there on Saturday enjoyed show spent a few bob and noticed that chairs are replacing stands !

H

I visited the show last Friday arriving before the doors were opened so joined a very long pay on the day que, those who had pre-purchased tickets were no better off, that que was even longer.

For me the show had about the right mix of club stands, trade stands and individual model displays, also catered for engineering projects across the modelling spectrum.

Both CES and Noggin had huge stocks of metals and plastics for sale, loads of milling cutters and turning tools on several stands, good selection of measuring tools on DRO stand.

RDG had just about all of their range of products well displayed on a fairly large area of stand, however that appeared to be dwarfed by the enormous display of Warco machines, lathes, mills and rolling/folding machines, I guess just about the full range. (see pictures link below for views of stand)

Outside demonstrations included casting and a very professional presentation of jet engine running by the GTBA, the usual model steam driven wood sawing bench and baling machine were seen running most of the day, several other model steam engines could be seen running at various times, from memory there were fewer of these this year than when I last visited 2 years ago.

I didn't spend a fortune but did get a few bits of metal to save on postage cost, an enjoyable day out and now looking forward to the next ex.
Took a few pictures which can be viewed at the following Dropbox link.

**LINK**

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 23/10/2018 10:37:17

Well you won't admire the exhibits if there's no exhibition team - it takes two to tango!

Thank you for showing us those.

Good pictures. Thank you for showing us those.

Totally agree. Both the organisers and the exhibitors need to lean how to work more closely if there is to be a future , otherwise there will be no tango

No Warco this year 2019 ?

Have been going for past 5-6 years and cant see it being worth it if no Warco.

I try to attend shows, (Ally Pally, Doncaster and the Fosse ) Now less with a view to a shopping list, although there always seems to be an impulse buy!

The Fosse is my least favourite. The aisles are so narrow that three folk means a complete blockage. Often caused by the unthinking or selfish and uncaring..

Why do we care less about delaying / obstructing those around us, as we get older? Before anyone says "It's alright for you youngsters" you must be ten years older than me and in your nineties to say that! And Yes, I do carry a rucksack, but choose who to assault with it.

For the four years that it ran, I organised one of the largest club stands at the Spalding Show, so learned a little about organising a Show from both the Organiser and the Exhibitor standpoint. Neither is easy. Some clubs mess the organisers about; late entry, no show etc.

It can be difficult to persuade members to provide exhibits ( having to travel to and fro to deliver and collect the item/s, and the risk of damage. (Security is usually pretty tight, but there are occasional light fingered activities with pocketable items )

Also, if the organisers are too greedy, they price out traders. But they cannot afford to run at a loss for many years. So there has to be a delicate balance between the rent for a trade stand, and the price of an entry ticket.

And by laying out the stands to give wide aisles to allow easy movement of the punters, you reduce the space for the traders who pay to be there, in the hope of selling their products profitably.

With the steadily tightening economic conditions, you can see why traders reduce the range of items that they display, and the size and content of the stand Arc Euro, understandably, went from "Display the whole range" to machines only, and then absence, just as Warco are now doing, whilst Chester have greatly reduced their stand size. You have sell a lot of.machines, let alone small accessories, to cover the costs; of disrupting your business at home, transport, accomodation, and returning everything to normal afterwards.

As an Exhibitor, even for a local two day Show, there is almost a day to prepare, another to load the car, arrive and set up the stand, two days as a Steward, and then a rush to strip down and load up at the end, followed by the next day putting everything away again.

Being a Trader, or an Exhibitor at a Show is not beer and skittles by any means.

BUT, an Exhibitor deserves free entry to supervise and explain their exhibits to the paying public. As already said, No Exhibits = No Show = No Profit for the organiser.

Sorry to ramble on at such great length, but there are many aspects to a Show whether as Trader, Exhibitor or Visitor. Keeping everyone happy is not that simple.

Howard

Food for thought Howard ! well said