International W/W Exhibition - Stafford 13-15th October

[SVB]

So, is there going to be a strong forum presence?

Anybody have a list of exhibitors - are the numbers exhibiting holding up as some shows this year have been a little disappointing to say the least.

 

[ProShop]

I've posted on this issue last year, but I'll mention it again here.

IMHO this show & others similar ones ie: Stoneleigh are in decline, (although this year it didn't help that the show organisers went to the wall very recently), each time I've been there are fewer & fewer trade stands, manufacturers & resellers.

Don't get me wrong here, I've enjoyed these shows in the past, but by the various posts above it's not only me that's noticed the decline.

The organisers of these & other shows have always in the past been very bullish about attendance figures, but you only have to talk to a "good cross selection of traders" to get a different picture. Of course there will always be those that say trade is good etc, and who am I to say different. And high or low attendance figures don't always relate to high or low sales.

One of the main reasons is the cost of floor space by the event organisers & the venue owners, it's gone up alarmingly over the past 3 to 4 years. I happen to know how much firms are paying for their pitch and some of event floorspace prices are literally eyewatering. So not suprisingly some of the trade are voting with their feet and pulling out.

Then there are the costs of all the logistics in getting all the goods to & from the event, plus the costs of manning throughout the show etc. I don't think in general the show going public have much idea of the costs involved.
It also makes it very hard for those that bite the bullet & pay the high event fees to give so called show offers etc.

I posted this back in March this year and similar last year and imho it still holds good.

 

[Roger]

My biggest beef with that show, is that there's nothing about it that I can find. Details, times, entrance fee, exhibitors, demonstrations etc. etc.

One pretty poster and that's it!! Where are the details :?:

 

[gardenshed]

despite being disappointed at the last show I am intending to go just on the off-change that the venue costs may have attracted more patronage.

:?: :?:

 

[CHJ]

despite being disappointed at the last show I am intending to go just on the off-change that the venue costs may have attracted more patronage.

:?: :?:

I did say intending, trying to get some feedback of potential exhibitors participation, hoping the show organization is better than the web site, it does have the "If you need to ask, it's not for you" look about it.

 

[CHJ]

Stafford show contributers.

Thanks to Terry Smart. Sorry about the formating but it got lost in the mail.
Hope to have better PDF version soon.


****************************

THE BINGLEY HALL
STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY SHOWGROUND
< **** * **** >
13TH TO 15TH OCTOBER
The International Woodworking Exhibition, at our new Midlands
venue of Staffordshire County Showground has much in store for all
woodworking professionals and enthusiasts with its broad range of
commercial stands hosted by leading manufacturers and suppliers of
woodworking machinery, tools and woodworking requisites. And, in
addition, we have plenty for all to learn from with a wide range of top
craftsmen offering demonstrations, masterclasses and displays.
Seeing fine craftsmanship come alive is an essential part of the
Exhibition experience, and there is an extra dimension in seeing not
just the work but how it is done, and learning both from the
techniques used and also from the advice and enthusiasm of the
skilled craftsmen concerned.
Top ranking names across the fields of woodturning, woodcarving,
cabinetmaking, finishing, pyrography and machinery testing include
Ray Jones, Gary Rance, Joey Richardson, Mark Hancock, Jamie
Wallwin, Les Thorne, Reg Slack O.H. Boyd, John Pizey, Andy
Standing, Roger Berwick, Bob Neill and Lisa Raby. Also available to
give independent advice and offer further practical insights into the
‘misteries’ of the woodworking crafts will be representatives from
various craft associations including the Association of Woodturners of
Great Britain, the British Woodcarvers Association. the Northern
Federation of Woodworking Groups and the Register of Professional
Turners.
The Exhibition is backed by two of the country’s top and longest
established magazines for woodworking enthusiasts, The
Woodworker and Practical Woodworking. So you can see how the
concerns of the show are reflected in the magazines and vice versa
with features such as the display of competition entries created by
magazine readers.
There is the opportunity not only to save money but also to win a full
range of woodworking workshop machinery worth over £4000 from
Record Power through our ‘Golden Ticket’ prizes for Advance Ticket
purchasers. Further details and tickets can be obtained from our
Ticket Hotline 01689 899 228/229.
The International Woodworking Exhibition is organised by:
Encanta Media, publishers of The Woodworker and Practical
Woodworking magazine.
Featured manufacturers
and suppliers include:
Ashley Iles (Edge Tools)
Aston Trading
Behlen
BriMarc Associates
Camvac
Chestnut Products
Craft Supplies
Felder
Frameco
Hamilton Edge Tools
Hana Tools
Jill Piers Woodturning
Supplies
John Mills
Joint Genie
Kity
Langdon
Lincolnshire Woodcraft
Mafell
Meantime Design
NMA Agencies
NV DesignOckenden
Timber
Price Tools
Record Power
Robert Sorby
Scheppach
Shopsmith
Silverdrive
SIP
Stobart Davies
Toolstop
Turners Retreat
Whotzhot
Woodworkers Workshop
Going to an
extra dimension:
Joey Richardson
adds colour and
piercing to her
turned work, and
O.H. Boyd takes
his caved
portraiture to a
‘larger than
life’ size.


********************************************

 

[CHJ]

Moved to text to "Possible Hand Tool Led Show/Exhibition Next Year"

 

[CHJ]

Just in case anyone is still interested in the original title.

The promotional Leaflet (990k):You will need Adobe Reader or equivalent.

Mind you it says much about Encanta Media that they can't be bothered to put this flyer on their web site.

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Chas

Thanks for posting the link to the pdf. I sent an email to them days ago requesting information, but it must have got lost in the post.

The list of exhibitors, as per the pdf is as follows: -

Ashley Iles (Edge Tools)
Ashton Trading
Behlen
Brimarc
Camvac
Chestnut
Craft Supplies
Felder
Frameco
Hamilton Edge Tools
Jill Piers Woodturning Supplies
John Mills
Joint Genie
Kity
Langdon
Lincolnshire Woodcraft
Mafell
Meantime Design
NMA Agencies
NV Design Ockenden Timber
Price Tools
Record Power
Robert Sorby
Scheppach
Shopsmith
Silverdrive
SIP
Stobart Davies
Toolstop
Turners Retreat
Whotzhot
Woodworkers Workshop

If you're going, I hope you enjoy the show.

Might I suggest Chestnut at 12 on Saturday and Sunday?

Cheers
Neil

 

[colinc]

Did anyone else go?

I have to say I was disappointed. The promo suggested a little more than was delivered.

Still it's good to see that Dick Turpin's alive and well and has found a new niche in the catering business.

Colin

 

[CHJ]

Yes Colin, called in on Saturday to get supplies from Terry (Chestnut) and Jill (Grip a Disk), spares from Trend and some new tools from Turners Retreat and Ashley Isles,
Spent far to much as usual. Got what I wanted, plus, due to the poor attendance and lack of customers, a very good 'mini seminar' from Terry's demonstrator on colouring and finishing which will save me many hours of experiments.

VERY POOR SHOW, Several Names on the list had pulled out before the event, two stands told us they were probably not staying for Sunday and one was packing up to leave as we left. One major name was selling stand display equipment off on Saturday mid afternoon and helping people dismantle it outside for transport.

Several stands were not happy that a major name was selling items at more or less trade price so they had no chance of moving their stock of same products, fine for those wanting a bargain but not very PC, guess they are big enough not to care.

Hope the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition proves a better prospect. Have been to the hole in the wall today in anticipation of must haves that are envisioned.