2020 Show Dates!

[hammurabi70]

I have considered this!  I looked at some coach style vehicles where we could kit them out as a walk-in trade shop but it would only really be useful for Salute, we'd never get it into any of the other venues we go to.  I've wondered whether some kind of trailer could do the same job but I can't make it work yet.

Presumably most traders have a modular display stand that they stack on a four-wheeled trolley for moving into the show area.  I have no idea how you would kit that out to have an advanced stand, somewhat like those gazebos that go up in an instant or tents that deploy in only a few seconds. 

A traders show done as car boot sale might not be such a bad idea.  If you get a field around Northampton and a large percentage of the population would be within a two-hour drive.

[Ithoriel]

If you get a field around Northampton and a large percentage of the population would be within a two-hour drive.

Fine if you have a car and/ or don't live in Scotland, Wales or Cornwall

Somewhere with good public transport links and cheap accommodation would do me.

[hammurabi70]

Fine if you have a car and/ or don't live in Scotland, Wales or Cornwall

Somewhere with good public transport links and cheap accommodation would do me.

Correct.  Northamptonshire is the national logistical distribution base with a large percentage of the population living within a two-hour drive.  The show would be designed on this basis; hopefully a suitable field would be inexpensive.  The alternative would be to use the NEC, which has transport links and accommodation; it would also be a great deal more expensive.  In either case Cornwall, Wales and Scotland and points further way would not be serviced.

[Ithoriel]

I've done the Edinburgh/ NEC run on more than one occasion BCE*



*Before the Covid Era

[Leon]

Rather than taking the gamers to the shows, take the shows to the gamers   

That was part of the van-plan, I was wondering whether we could drive it around the UK to various wargames club nights and allow the members to come on board and buy some goodies.  We could bring pre-orders as well, and then play some games once the selling was done!

Presumably most traders have a modular display stand that they stack on a four-wheeled trolley for moving into the show area.  I have no idea how you would kit that out to have an advanced stand, somewhat like those gazebos that go up in an instant or tents that deploy in only a few seconds.

The variety of trade stands is quite impressive, ranging from simple boxes which are unpacked onto the tables through to pully-up vinyl affairs with in-built shelving and downlights!  The fancier ones are generally only for Salute though.  Ours is gridwall with legs, which we bring in one at a time on a custom-built sackbarrow.  It's quick and easy but it means about 28 trips to the van and back per unload/load session.

[Orcs]

That was part of the van-plan, I was wondering whether we could drive it around the UK to various wargames club nights and allow the members to come on board and buy some goodies.  We could bring pre-orders as well, and then play some games once the selling was done!

That's sounds fun, would be good a promotion of Pendraken. Not sure it would be viable financially though.

[toxicpixie]

If you could combine it with a camper van to sleep in/kip at someone's house it'd be like a giant gaming road trip that pays for itself!

[Poggle]

I'm quite taken by this idea. A large open air venue would suit me in these days of Covid-19. It'd be a kind of wargames Glastonbury or Woodstock. 

[toxicpixie]

Gamesbury or Warstock?

Make it so! Although we're now entering British Monsoon and Sleet Season until our next three day summer in 2021, so it might be a bit awkward... and soggy. Fine for the metal producing guys, not so good for the MDF bods...

[hammurabi70]

Gamesbury or Warstock?

Make it so! Although we're now entering British Monsoon and Sleet Season until our next three day summer in 2021, so it might be a bit awkward... and soggy. Fine for the metal producing guys, not so good for the MDF bods...

I think we have the marketing winner!  An open-air show is much more viable than the requirements of an enclosed hall.  The tricky bit is the weather-proofing. 

[toxicpixie]

Maybe we should move it somewhere warm and sunny! Turkey is apparently marvellous according to the very hopeful tourist board advert I just watched

[Orcs]

Maybe we should move it somewhere warm and sunny! Turkey is apparently marvellous according to the very hopeful tourist board advert I just watched

Been to Turkey twice and found the people to be genuinely friendly, welcoming and generous. So a definite yes from me 

[toxicpixie]

It's not so much the people I'd worry about at the moment

[Leon]

After careful consideration and discussions with our venue and other show organisers, we've reached the sad decision to cancel Battleground 2020. The current Covid situation causes a whole host of problems for holding large events in crowded venues and the added factors are just too much currently.  All of that extra hassle and costs would mean that we'd be losing money on the event, whilst also asking the traders to take a gamble on something that might not be viable for them in terms of visitor numbers and sales.

With everything considered, the sensible option is to cancel this year's event and wait for this Corona situation to calm down. Hopefully by the beginning of 2021 things will be under control and we might have a vaccine.

​We'll update everyone as to the date for 2021 as soon as we can. Currently the Warfare show in Ascot have moved their event into our usual slot, but we're waiting to hear back from them about whether that's a permanent change.

[Orcs]

Thats a real shame, bur eminently sensible