A Call to Muster - Middlesbrough 23/03/2013

[Count Belisarius]

Today I popped down to Middlesbrough for the new A Call to Muster show put on by the organisers of the old Stockton Shows. I was only there for about three hours but enjoyed the show. Lighting was terrible so apologies for the colours in the pictures!

There's a proper little report on my blog here: http://blog.belisarius.org.uk/2013/03/call-to-muster-2013.html

and a gallery of pics here: http://blog.belisarius.org.uk/call-to-muster-2013

And some taster pics:









Nice little show. Nice day. Cheers!

Andy

[Fenton]

I like the VSF stuff...what make were those if you know?

[Fenton]

Oh there AVBCW...nice stuff

[Leon]

Thanks for the pics Andy, I've got some of the 10mm game as well, but I've not had a look at them yet to see how yellow they are!

From a trade point of view, it was pretty quiet in the morning, even when the show was at it's busiest.  Sales picked up a little after lunch, so not too bad overall, but then we only have to travel 2 miles to it!  There was a new trader there (WarMill) who had come all the way from Bournemouth!  

I think the show could pick up the niche which Spring Offensive used to inhabit, but it needs a whole lot more advertising, especially in the online aspect.  I chatted with Dave Clemmet briefly about it, and if there's another one next year, this'll be something to look at.

[General Bt Sherman]

Looks like fun. I liked seeing the BKC game.
Bryan

[Steve J]

I was wondering as to whether the show would even be on given the pics of how bad the snow is in some areas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-21910940

Let's hope it goes from strength to strength.

[Count Belisarius]

The weather forecast predicted snow based apocalyptic Day After Tomorrow weather...

I was disappointed we had nothing...

I think more publicity next year will help but for a first show it went pretty well. And it's nice having another show in the area!

[CV10man]

As one of the show organizers it is nice to see independent views of our efforts - we welcome all comments good or bad. Ironically but for the weather and some other factors it would have been one of our biggest shows ever. The jury is out about a show next year - there are a number of things we need to consider including how to attract the bigger traders, how can the lighting be improved and how can the advertising be better - suggestions welcomed.

[Leon]

On the things mentioned there:

Bigger traders - I'd think this comes as the shows reputation builds, and word spreads that it's worthwhile making the journey.  With Smoggy, there's been a few traders who've said no for no other reason than they don't want to come this far north, so it's hard.  Warlord is a big name though, and they would have been there yesterday but their show guy couldn't get through the snow to pick the van up!

Better lighting - I've mentioned this with the Southland Centre guy previously, but it would all hinge on the council forking out for it, and with the continued budget cuts, it's not on the cards anytime soon.

Advertising - Adverts in the 3 main magazines hits a certain number of folk, but so many people are now online that that needs to be the main focus I think.  There's dozens of wargaming forums, both independant and company/rule oriented, so you basically have to spam them all with your info!

[Leon]

I've just put up some pics I grabbed of the 10mm game on show: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,6675.msg74317.html#msg74317

[Techno]

Nice pics Count....Even if the lighting was poor !
Cheers - Phil.

[CV10man]

Thanks for your suggestions Leon.

We know times are hard for traders but they have two choices – continue to attend shows (and tell their customers which shows they are attending) and hope trading conditions pick up as the UK economy recovers or retreat to their home base and rely on internet sales. Obviously we prefer the former as we believe that is the only way to grow the hobby and bring prosperity to traders – that was one reason why we staged the show.

Good luck with the lighting – I think it will take more than some new bulbs to sort the problem out and the council will not have the money to put modern lighting in.

The forums are very interesting but the key question is how can new people be attracted to the hobby if they do not already read the forums, magazines or attend hobby groups?