Possible Hand Tool Led Show/Exhibition Next Year

[mudman]

I think that fifty quid can be quite a hefty wedge to some people. The likes of Robbie Williams can command that sort of money for a ticket as he is well established and people know what to expect for their money.

If people don't know what to expect or if it will live up to their expectations or want to drag the family along, then they are less willing to pay out a large amount of money.

I'm also not too sure what sort of event you are trying to stage here. Is it a show where people can come along and tout their wares with a few demonstrations thrown in or a sort of conference where delegates come along attending lectures they are interested in with an associated trade hall with a few stalls?

 

[Scott]

I like Chris' suggestions very much and Mike's hitlist is an impressive one. I would be tempted to come over from France for that level of seminar/show. If it included some form of UKW get-together it would be a bonus because the price of flights an accomodation would be high so I'd be hoping to get as much out of it as possible. For this reason, like Ian, I wouldn't quibble with a £50-£75 entrance for top notch instruction and demos because it would only be a small part of my total outlay.

I fully understand how many people couldn't afford that sort of outlay just for an entrance fee though so I guess two-tier or pay-by-demo would be the way to go. I did wonder if people who haven't pre-booked for the demos would perhaps want to change their mind on the day. If the demos were fully booked and they couldn't get in they might go away feeling a bit let down. Their own choice I know but you know how people don't want to spend money before the event but tend to get carried away once they're in the thick of it

Is it a show where people can come along and tout their wares with a few demonstrations thrown in or a sort of conference where delegates come along attending lectures they are interested in with an associated trade hall with a few stalls?

A clearer picture of the "peripherals" would be good. Would other companies be invited or would it just be CHT gig?

In any case most of the discussion so far is sounding very interesting and I'd seriously consider attending if I'm not away at sea.

 

[Adam]

Mike...they too get my attention......when you have to travel 400 miles and do an overnight the admission price pales into insignifigance.

See I'm with Ian and Chris. By the time I've driven, stayed overnight, the actual entry price is not so important. Assuming it costs ~40p/mile to travel. Most people are going to spend £80 on travel alone, add accomodation £50 and food and drinks for an overnighter and thats another £50. So you are already spending around £200 to get there, for me it doesn't make sense not to pay a big entrance fee and guarentee that the people you want to see, to hear, to watch will be there. I'd rather lay out another 50, or 100 or whatever and have some superb learning, than lay out a hundred or two on travel and come away dissapointed.

Maybe the terminology is getting mixed up. What I would like to pay for is a "lecture" series, with practical hands on workshops. Just a generic "show" of people advertising their wares, then yes, perhaps you would expect that to be free. But I can get to Axminster, or D&M for "free". (although by the time I've driven to Devon, stayed overnight, etc etc its not free). So, for a "lecture/practical hands on workshop type event" I'd happily pay a fee. Remember, as a quick example, a weeks course (5 days) with John Lloyd, is just under £500. So I think £100 a day for specialist training is about a reasonable market estimate. Bruce Luckhurst is about the same. David C short courses are ~600 for one week, for five students. In a more relaxed setting, with more people per group, I can see that £50 for a days tuition of lots of seminars could be, as I consider it good value for money.

Adam

 

[wizer]

ok I think I did get mixed up with terminology. If it is not a tool 'show' in the traditional sense of the word and more a seminar, a place where you purely go to see non-commercial informational\instructional demo's. Then count me in, it'd be worth £30-50. The numbers still worry me tho. You need to find that balance between: enough paying attendees to make it worthwile and not too many attendees that the whole thing becomes too distant and general. How many £50's would you need to hire the premesis, pay the tutors, public liability insurance?, etc

 

[Evergreen]

I tend to share Adam's view. The entrance fee is less relevant than the distance to travel. Once you get into needing overnight accommodation, it's become a significant investment of time as well as cash. Mind you, I'm probably just an unimaginative old codger because I know young blokes who think nothing of going off to eastern Europe (or even Las Vegas) just for a stag night!

The demos are what I remember from the shows I've attended. At the last Axminster show, I learnt some very useful tips from Deneb Puchalski on the L-N stand. And then there's that Japanese woodworker (the one who wears toed socks and flip flops) who can use basic tools with a precision and speed that makes your jaw drop.

I'd be happy to pay £50 -60 for a couple of demos in the morning and a couple more in the afternoon by some of the stellar names suggested in Mike Hancock's post. Plus a bit of a mooch round some stands where I could ogle the best tools on the planet. But it needs to be within a couple of hours drive.

Regards.

 

[Freetochat]

The difference in views and requirements is commonplace whatever event is being organised, and to have menu based pricing is just unrealistic to cost or manage. My wife attends seminar/shows in photography and these attended by many are always in the £60 to £80 bracket for two days. The seminars run all day, and it becomes your choice as to which ones you attend. The show side also remains open until 9.0pm to allow those attending lectures to look at the displays.

Not wishing to be rude to those not able to afford the fee, but nothing is free, and it is for this reason that some things are failing. Some are wanting cheap entry, show special prices, and lectures from top people. In those circumstances, who pays. Advertising budgets still come out of the sales margin. These events surely are 'trade' focused, so why would you take the family on an outing. With car sharing, hotel deals and a little realism, shows could be successful.

However, as already mentioned, the organisers, lecturers and stall holders also have to come up to the mark to provide value for the money being charged. That would be the interesting part.

 

[dedee]

As one of those who has benefited from Chris' tuition I would whole heartedly support an event on along the lines mentioned above.

I would be happy to pay the prices mentioned but I would need to have some confidence that I would be close enough to really see what was going on.
Watching someone at close quarters, as I expect was the case at Philly's shindig, giving a waterstone master class or saw sharpening is very appealing. Standing at the back of a large room straining to see/hear what is happening is not. As for using cameras and projections screen I would have my doubts that the camera could always be in the right place at the right time.

So Mike's event up the A11/A12 sounds like a good idea and would likely to attend. Could that bloke wot makes the saw come, Mr Wensloff, I'd sure like to see more of his outstanding work.

Andy

 

[Mike Hancock]

Well it seems to me that there is the interest and getting the balance between a sales/show which you've largely grown bored of and instructional seminar based meeting is paramount as are cost and location. Sat/sun seems decided and max numbers about 30 per seminar (so we have made some progress). I am at 3 likely venues over the next month and will speak with the the owners/decision makers there and maybe we can pilot something next year. I am meeting with some of the overseas guys from my wish list next month and will pick their brains.
I am a soft southerner and haven't a clue as to possible northern/midland venues but am happy to look at any suggestions. As it stands if we do a pilot or a full blown affair in 2007 it will be most likely be located in Sussex, Essex or The Cotswolds. I lived in Sheffield and Nottingham many years ago and would love to do something around there (just to prove I am not biased).
If it were a full blown show - would it just be a CHT affair - yes, in terms of any tool sales otherwise it won't pay for itself and my view is that having spoken to some of the main UK manufacturers and agents their attitude is depressingly negative - so I don't particularly want to reward their apathy.
The trick would be to satisfy you guys who pay a higher price for instruction, guidance, inspiration etc with excellence at the seminars - you could even leave the venue without spending anything on tools!

 

[wizer]

Perfect Mike, I think that sounds spot on. I'll look foward to the big day.

EDIT: Essex would be good

 

[Scott]

If it were a full blown show - would it just be a CHT affair - yes, in terms of any tool sales otherwise it won't pay for itself and my view is that having spoken to some of the main UK manufacturers and agents their attitude is depressingly negative - so I don't particularly want to reward their apathy.

Well said! :wink:

The trick would be to satisfy you guys who pay a higher price for instruction, guidance, inspiration etc with excellence at the seminars

Even better!

you could even leave the venue without spending anything on tools!

Eh? :shock: :shock:

 

[Losos]

Hi Mike,
As Scott has said, if you can like up some of those names for demos, and keep the numbers to 20 or MAX 30 & allow time for Q&A's then I would schedule my Autumn 2007 trip to coincide with your event.

The cost, as discussed above, seems fair.

Essex would be my choice (Or Cambridge / Suffolk) Cotswolds would also be nice.