London Model Engineering exhibition at Alexandra Palace

London Model Engineering exhibition at Alexandra Palace, Does anyone know if it is likely to be on in 2024?

Last one was in 2020 just before the pandemic, not been one since.

Or alternatively one in the South East that has a bias towards model engineering.

Sadly we have no plans for a 2024 London Model Engineering Exhibition.

The sister show which is the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition takes place from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th October in Leamington Spa.

See www.midlandsmodelengineering.co.uk for more information.

I am aware of that exhibition. Is there a reason for abandoning the whole of the south east?

Most traders were finding it hard to cover their costs so harder to fill a more expensive venue than one the organisers already own. Would be even higher costs for exhibitors/traders now what with fuel prices and ULEZ

It is noticeable, and judging by conversations with other model-engineers, I am not the only one to have noticed that the larger traders are finding it more and more difficult to attend any exhibitions.

I'm guessing it's the best part of two weeks hard work for them, with the preparations and the post-show re-stocking; on top of the transport and accommodation, and now the congestion or low-emission fees being imposed in many cities.

It may well be easier for the smaller traders with fewer staff, smaller stands and less heavy goods to display; but I was surprised to see Reeves at Taunton MES' club exhibition several years ago. Their full show stand would have hogged the hall, in a school, but a single table with back-boards and two carousels of small items, was enough to show they exist, and to allow them to take orders for goods not physically there.

I think the snooker matches are still on at Alexandra Palace on what used to be also "our" weekend, and I do hope the venue can continue especially as it had re-furbished the theatre only a year or so before the pandemic; but I also wonder just how many cultural events London and other cities will lose.

Hold it in a town where there is no emission zone, there must be some in the southeast with large halls or racecourses?

Model Engineer Magazine used to hold their annual exhibition at Epsom races before moving to Brooklands and then stopping altogether. I quite liked that as a venue.

Not quite sure why Brighton Model World stopped at the exhibition centre there.

ME used to be at Wembly and Ally Pally long before that. (Sandown & Ascot not Epsom more recently)

People wanting the bargain basement goods direct from the far east does not help the traders either so if you don't support them you loose them and shows.

Edited By JasonB on 27/09/2023 15:24:37

Wasn't the MEX formerly held at the Agricultural Halls in Victoria?

So I'm told

Jason,

Quite correct, I used to go there, underground train to 55 The Broadway (London Underground HQ in those days)

Nice venue. Before that it was north of Oxford Street.

K

It's not just Engineering exhibitions that are woefully short/absent here in the south, but Woodworking shows too. In fact, it seems that anything vaguely practical seems to have suffered the same fate.

Unless the shows are spread out a bit more then what do they expect I find that what I would save from having to travel the distance to a show I can spend online to buy goods, I am sure that I am not the only one.

I should add that it is catch22

The only thing that I would miss out on is seeing some of the exhibits

Edited By Dalboy on 27/09/2023 17:37:40

Having watched the stalls at the ally pally the last 3 or4 years it was on it was obvious that traders were struggling to justify the time out and the costs, fuel accomodation Etc and in 2019 I commented that once the emissions charge came in that would be the straw that broke the beast ! Fuel and ULEZ have proved my prophesy ! It would have to be outside the M25 and avoid the city and Thames crossing. ME gave tickets away for Sandown park, It took me half the day to get there, missed a large part of the show due to poor signage and half the night to get home - NEVER again !

At least the Midland is fairly central !

How about Reading ?

Do you all go to shows just to buy something?

Greetings Noel, you might have mentioned the excellent show put on by Halesworth and District M E Society, LOMEX, in Lowestoft, October 28 & 29th.

This an excellent show, loads of models of all types and well worth a visit.

More details on the society's website.

A lot nearer for many people than Reading.

Regards

Brian B

The first one I ever went to was at the Seymour Hall in the early 1970s, just a lad in those days.

Mike

I seem to remember it being held at the Royal horticultural society halls in London, that was about fifty years ago, the one thing that sticks in my mind was that it was packed, you couldn’t move for people. I remember purchasing a rotary table, cost me fifty quid, it was a six inch diameter Criterion brand.

I remember Seymour Halls, they used to run the boats in the swimming pool if I remember right and I bought some copper tube for my Juliet from Kennions there.

Ally Pally was a tortuous journey for me by train (and the train is expensive), with the free parking driving was a doddle at the right time of day but I would think twice now having to pay the emissions charge. Midlands show is a fair step for me and last time I went, probably 2018 I thought it had gone downhill, the larger trade stands already starting to cry off and there didn’t seem to be many new or different models.

Personally I think the future is probably small events organised by individual clubs, if indeed clubs manage to carry on, our own seems to be in decline, as older members pass on there doesn’t seem to be younger people joining at the same rate!

Paul.

Interesting discussions.

Do people like going to exhibitions and if so, what would an organiser have to organise to get you to go?