2023 Show Dates!

[Leon]

With a new year comes a new show calendar!  Below are the events that we'll be attending this year so hopefully we'll see some of you on the road.

We've got a few returning events for 2023 with WMMS, Salute and Carronade back on the schedule now so we're looking forward to getting back to those.  Sadly the Broadside show proved too far to be viable for us so we've had to knock that one off our list.

As always, if you'd like to pre-order anything for any of these events, please make sure to let us know at least 7 days in advance!


February
Sun 5th - Vapnartak, York - https://vapnartak.co.uk/

March
Sat 4th - Hammerhead, Newark - https://www.hammerheadshow.co.uk/
Sun 12th - WMMS, Wolverhampton - http://www.alumwellwargames.co.uk/

April
Sat 22nd - Salute, London - http://www.salute.co.uk/salute/salute-50/

May
Sat 13th - Carronade, Falkirk - http://www.falkirkwargamesclub.org.uk/
Sun 21st - Partizan, Newark - https://www.partizan.org.uk/

June
Sat 17th - Phalanx, St Helens - https://spartans.org.uk/

August
Sat 5th - Claymore, Edinburgh - https://seswc.co.uk/category/claymore/

September
Sat 2nd - Border Reiver, Newcastle - https://en-gb.facebook.com/reiverborder/
Sat 9th - Colours, Newbury - https://nrwc.org.uk/colours-2022

October
Sun 8th - Partizan, Newark - https://www.partizan.org.uk/
Sun 29th - Fiasco, Leeds - https://leedswargamesclub.com/

November
Sat/Sun 11th/12th - Warfare, Farnborough - https://wargamesreading.co.uk/warfare-2022/
Sat 25th - Battleground, Stockton-on-Tees - https://www.battlegroundshow.co.uk/

We hope to see you on the road!

[steve_holmes_11]

Pencil me in for a Carronade.
I'll put in an order closer to the event.

[Ithoriel]

Yep, planning to be at Carronade too.

As to what I'll want by then? Who knows  where my butterfly mind will have taken me.

[WYorkIan79]

I'll be at the York show and I've put my order in well in advance!  My first Pendraken order of miniatures for many man years.

[Leon]

I'll be at the York show and I've put my order in well in advance!  My first Pendraken order of miniatures for many man years.

Excellent, we'll see you there!

[Superscribe]

Leon. Add Attack in July please (see new topic)

[Leon]

Leon. Add Attack in July please (see new topic)

I'm afraid we're not attending that one unfortunately, we've not had great reviews from the other traders about it, so it's never been on the radar.  Two day shows need to have very good sales to justify the extra hotel/food costs too.

[Superscribe]

....we've not had great reviews from the other traders about it, so it's never been on the radar.  Two day shows need to have very good sales to justify the extra hotel/food costs too.

I understand regarding extra costs for 2 day shows, but disappointed that you have had negative feedback from some traders. You should talk to some of those who come back year after year, many of which are listed here....
https://ddwg.org.uk/?page_id=114.

Regards
Chris

[Leon]

I understand regarding extra costs for 2 day shows, but disappointed that you have had negative feedback from some traders. You should talk to some of those who come back year after year, many of which are listed here....
https://ddwg.org.uk/?page_id=114.

The feedback wasn't particularly negative, just that it's a long weekend and that the sales don't always justify the time/costs of attending.  That's the case with a lot of events these days, especially since Covid with the hotel prices spiking.  2-day shows have it even more difficult, there's only really Warfare that's busy enough across both days but the costs for that are extremely high now.

What kind of attendance numbers are you getting across both days?

[Superscribe]

Hi Leon.

Based on previous shows, 40 traders, 85 to 100 competitors and 900 to 1100 visitors

Rgds

Chris

[Orcs]

Hi Leon.

Based on previous shows, 40 traders, 85 to 100 competitors and 900 to 1100 visitors

Rgds

Chris

I went to Devizes last year, and it was a very good show to go to, if I was nearer I would go again.
 
But:-

Even if we use your higher figure of 1100 visitors ( I have not included competitors, as from experience  they rarely spend a lot ) and they average spend is £100 that gives a total spend of £110,000. that still only works out as an average  £2750 takings for each trader.  After costs anyone  who is not local will be lucky to break even with that level of takings.

The fact it is a two day show, does not increase the amount people generally spend, It just significantly increases the traders costs.  I suspect the cost of attending and the increase in online purchases is why many traders are restricting the shows they attend .

I like going to shows, but I will often look at the cost of attending and what traders I am interested in.  It often works out at £30 or more to attend, and its often cheaper ordering what you want online and paying the postage.

I realise this becomes a vicious circle - Loss of attendance   = loss of trader takings = loss of traders at shows =  Loss of attendance. I suspect this is why we have lost many shows over the last decade

[Ithoriel]

average spend is £100

If that's a realistic average show spend I'm really letting the side down!


There again I spend quite a bit getting to most shows in the first place. Travel and accommodation definitely eat into the spend at the show. Just as well I go mainly to marvel at the games on show, watch rule sets that interest me in action, meet those people I only see at shows and to see "in the flesh" items that lack decent images online or which are not yet up on the website.

Most of my show spend is actually done after I get home. Save lugging a ton of lead/ resin/ cardboard home on the train.

The days when my body was up to playing pack mule are well behind me

[Ben Waterhouse]

I go to far fewer shows now, age and general knackedness, usually one a year. I do spend about £200 plus when I do go though.

[Orcs]

If that's a realistic average show spend I'm really letting the side down!


There again I spend quite a bit getting to most shows in the first place. Travel and accommodation definitely eat into the spend at the show. Just as well I go mainly to marvel at the games on show, watch rule sets that interest me in action, meet those people I only see at shows and to see "in the flesh" items that lack decent images online or which are not yet up on the website.

Most of my show spend is actually done after I get home. Save lugging a ton of lead/ resin/ cardboard home on the train.

The days when my body was up to playing pack mule are well behind me

I agree Ithoriel. I was going on a generous average. I suspect most spend less than this, some who go to shows less frequently, like Ben will have a "mega shop" and bring the average spend up.

I picked a relatively generous spend out of the air to show how little Manufacturers make for attending a show, with a 25% mark up a dealer only has £700 or so to cover all expenses and pay his wages.

Leon mentions on another thread that a single day medium show, takes 5 days out of the calendar, a big 2 day one takes 9 days work.

As I am just outside London I rarely stay away for a show

I too enjoy the shows, and like to meet up with old friends and acquaintances. Looking at  new stuff or manufacturers is always useful, its just if I need additions from manufacturers I know I might as well order online.

. 

[Leon]

Based on previous shows, 40 traders, 85 to 100 competitors and 900 to 1100 visitors

Those are good numbers actually, 20+ visitors per trader tends to be where you can make a decent amount of sales.  I'm curious now why the traders I've spoken to don't seem so keen, I can only think it's the 2-day aspect and the additional costs that brings?