Next MEX 2018

The Editor's note in ME4556 informs us that the next MEX will be in 2018, leaving 2017 without, thus establishing a 2 yearly cycle.

With the "old" Harrogate exhibition now at the poorer venue of Doncaster and an empty 2017, nowhere to visit this year.

Never mind - that will leave you an extra year to produce the perfect model and blitz the opposition!

Sadly I find all the big exhibitions too far away now (since moving to deepest Devon) - I have to content myself with the write ups in our favourite mags.

Norman

Bristol should be within range, depending on how far into the moors you are!

Edited By Mark Rand on 11/03/2017 20:15:32

Edited By Mark Rand on 11/03/2017 20:15:46

Kwil, in what way do you think Doncaster is a poorer venue compared to Harrogate? Personally I think Doncaster is significantly better. The hall is bigger and more spacious than the low roofed claustrophobic and cramped Harrogate. At Doncaster there is more space for the stands and the aisles are wider so you don't have to fight and push your way through. The catering / food at Harrogate was terrible quality and not ideally located between the two mail halls. When I had lunch at last years Doncaster show I sat in the main stand in the sun enjoying the flying display. Could not do that at Harrogate!

Badly lit and claustrophobic best describes Doncaster to me. The best location was out on the upper terrace.

Ian

Sorry KWIL but I'm wi Alan on this one. Doncaster is further for me but the layout was a damn site better . Lighting could be improved but there was lots of access. Decent isle width and the chance to actually sit outside under cover and enjoy the flying or other displays.

The signage could be improved overhead but it was the first one and they were taking notes on improvements. Parking was not helped by them reliving the road outside on day 1 but that's the local council and outside their control.

It as also good to have it all effectively in one place rather than having to go look for shed for road vehicle, helicopters etc.

Looking forward to this year.

That should read Re lining not reliving, damn autocorrection

With an annual show, each event will, generally, be a repeat of the previous one with a few tweaks around the edges. The long gap for MEX 2016 allowed a lot of changes to be made, not just the venue. While there were issues, particularly around the trade section being a long way from the exhibits and the limited signage, there was alot of positive feedback on the other changes.

The two-year gap may be frustrating, but it does mean that instead of applying sticking plaster solutions, we have the option to look at things in depth, talk to the trade, clubs, SMEE and individual exhibitors and visitors. This will let us make sure MEX 2018 is truly exceptional.

Neil

Hi Mark

Yep - I'm in mid-devon - Bristol is "within range" and I have gone up there a couple of times. The show seemed to shrink each time I went there and, whilst the models are always worth viewing, it seemed that trade stands were fewer - or maybe I now have all the 'kit" that I need!

Norman

Norman, hopefully the step back in time country fayre near Winkleigh on 22/23 July is within range. Model Engineering exhibits are included

One problem with MEX is that I've now seen the Brooklands cars and bikes so happy not to see them again. I'm ready to go back to Didcot or Kew Bridge if you can arrange for the show to be there. Are any of the Olympic venues they dumped on Picket's Lock suitable and at sensible prices? Bit more of a trek for me but Swindon would be great.

Really annoying to find that mex will be bi annual. I wonder what the real reason is for this. I have have wounderd about the cost of some of the venues chosen for the event and the cost for suppliers stands etc in resent years. I wound not mind if it is held in a tent as it is the event that is important, a chance the meet friends and purchase items and materials and view the excellent work of other model engineers.

Pete

Purely as an observer, and I do get to most of the shows, I think that the organisers of MEX have probably made a good decision for once. It seems to me to be fairly clear that MEX is long past being able to compete with the other shows on a like for like basis particularly when competing for a dwindling attendance of Trade Stands. Therefor the only real choice is to become something really different or cease to exist.

The syngergy between a museum and an exhibition is beneficial but for that to work the venue has to change each time which is achievable. As was mentioned 2 years does give more time for exibits to change. So having managed to shake off the crowds and the Trade by some bad choices in the past, and that's easy to say with hindsight, hopefully a new future can be built by doing something different. So the best of luck with it I say.

regards Martin