This was the third year for Smoggycon, and after the snow of last year, this year was virtually guaranteed to be a better day out! We set up on the Friday night, along with a couple of other traders, and spent a little time on Saturday morning finishing a few things off. It felt like a better show before it had even started, with a good bustling atmosphere, and when the doors did open, there were a good number of people came streaming in.
As with previous years, it takes a little time for people to filter down to the Sports Hall we were in:
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6114/6420223695_bc8a813087.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pendraken/6420223695/)
The first hall was up the corridor, and housed a few more traders and some games:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6420529203_8c348145b3.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pendraken/6420529203/)
I'd brought the family along to this one, so the missus and the 7 year old were helping out on the stand. Jamie had decided he was in charge of all transactions, and got thoroughly annoyed whenever we 'stole a sale' from him. He soon perked up when I gave him £2 and he came back with a pile of painted Orcs... :D
Numbers were excellent through the morning, and we got to chat with a load of familiar faces. On the Forum front, Goat Major had made the trip back oop north, and popped by the stand. I was a bit busy unfortunately, so didn't get chance to chat as much as I'd have liked. We also saw Spenno, who came and dropped off some fantastic painted figures he's done for us, so keep an eye out for those coming soon. Other folk off the top of my head included Black Knight, Tommy Atkins, scrutonsmog, and our very own Maximum Jpeg, who was doing the photo's for Middlesbrough Games Club.
As the day progressed, the numbers and sales dropped off, which has been a common theme at shows over the past 6 months or so. People seem to come with more of a definitive list of needs, and once they've got them, they're done for the day.
A couple of traders I spoke with hadn't done too well, in fact one said it was his worst day in several years. However, many others had quite the opposite experience, so it all balances out. We had a very good day, on both the Pendraken and the Minibits stands, and went home very happy.
When you consider that this show is only 3 years old, the progress has been excellent. The snow last year could have dissuaded a lot of people (and it did do so for a couple of traders missing this year), but the visitor numbers bounced back considerably, with around 500 reported through the door.
On the games front, there were some fantastic displays on show. Jenna was doing the pics for the club's site, so once they are up, I'll pop up a link. (Apologies for the colouring on some of the pics, the lighting in the sports hall was a little yellow-y)
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Border Reiver Club - Irish Civil War
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Nice card models:
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Only one show left now in 2011, so we'll be getting back in the van next week for the Recon show down in Leeds. Hope to see you there!
8)
Some very nice looking games in there 8).
Aye it was great to see you again Leon and the rest of your family. Glad your all liked the figures, can't wait for you to send me the next batch.
Was a really good day and will be there again next year.
The thing that surprised me the most was how much Rebecca enjoyed it and even managed to get her brother Xmas present.
Nearly half way though painting the WW2 BEF army pack that i got, so I clearly did not buy enough lol.
Steven
Some really nice games there 8)
Some more Smoggycon pics are now on show at
http://www.m-gc.co.uk/cms/e107_plugins/autogallery/autogallery.php?show=Smoggycon_2011 (http://www.m-gc.co.uk/cms/e107_plugins/autogallery/autogallery.php?show=Smoggycon_2011)
including some of me with a Movember dodgy porno tache :d
Good news. The Southlands Leisure Centre has survived this year's budget cuts so Smoggycon will take place on 24th November 2012. More details to follow nearer the time.
Quote from: Gandalf on 21 December 2011, 09:05:53 PM
Good news. The Southlands Leisure Centre has survived this year's budget cuts so Smoggycon will take place on 24th November 2012. More details to follow nearer the time.
Excellent news! :-bd