Battleground 2022 Report!

Started by Leon, 01 December 2022, 12:20:44 AM

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Leon

With the pandemic mostly in the rear view mirror now, the preparation for our Battleground show was able to return to normal and was decidedly smoother than 2021!  We're still seeing some reluctance among traders to attend as many events though, so we had to dip into our waiting list this year to fill some of the gaps.  As usual we tried to add companies bringing something new or different, so we welcomed ABC Brushes, Gelatinous Cute, Irregular Miniatures, Keelmen Miniatures, Kore Gaming, Sheppey Models and Wargames, Etc. to the show for the first time. 

We had one wrinkle during the setup for the show as the venue had taken a last-minute booking in half of the hall which delayed us getting the tables up fully.  It didn't affect timings too badly though and we had everything ready for the first of the traders arriving. 

This year we'd put some advertising money into Facebook as a test and it really brought results with over 250 responses to the event.  This carried through to the day as we had a queue halfway down the car park before the doors opened and the biggest attendance we've ever had at the show.  Trade was brisk all day too and the hall was still fairly busy well into the afternoon.  I was really pleased with this as show attendances in general have been quite hit and miss since Covid.  With a total of 818 people in the hall this year, I'm now wondering if the magic 1000 is possible at our little show in the north-east...!

We had a massive 25 games on show this year and the quality of them was really outstanding, easily the best we've seen at the event.  We've put all of the pictures in an album on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.587729560023609&type=3  Thanks to all of the clubs and individuals who put their time and effort into these tables, they really hit a new high this year.

The Tabletop sale was as busy as ever and was virtually booked up before we even opened the doors.  Many sellers reported good sales there and hopefully a lot of that money worked its way to some of the traders, some of whom had travelled from as far afield as Southampton and London to attend. 

As mentioned above, numbers at the event were the highest we've ever seen by almost 10% over our previous best and a 40%+ increase on last year:

.201320142015201620172018201920212022
Traders565968626264643748
Gamers524853678587884684
Visitors498517469427607567596472664
Living History00011410111222
TOTAL606624590567758728759567818


The overall show was fantastic and I really enjoyed seeing it so busy after such a quieter affair last year due to Covid.  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the feedback we've had has been excellent.  I'll include some of the blog reports below as well as a YouTube review which is definitely worth a watch.

Next year's show will be held on Saturday 25th November 2023, so we hope to see you there!


If you come across any other reports please let me know and I'll add them below.

Herkybird's blog: http://herkybird-richardbradley.blogspot.com/2022/11/battleground-2022.html
Westerhope blog: http://westerhopewargames.blogspot.com/2022/11/battleground-stocktonreview.html
Independent Wargames blog: https://independentwargamesgroup.blogspot.com/2022/11/battleground-or-how-to-stage-wargames.html
Carryings On Up The Dale blog: https://www.carryingsonupthedale.com/2022/11/battleground-stockton-26-november-2022.html
One Man and His Brushes blog: http://onemanhisbrushes.blogspot.com/2022/11/gaming-nam-at-battleground-show-2022.html
Retro Attic Mancave YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhncUj5_ats
www.pendraken.co.uk - Now home to over 7000 products, including 4500 items for 10mm wargaming, plus MDF bases, Battlescale buildings, I-94 decals, Litko Gaming Aids, Militia Miniatures, Raiden Miniatures 1/285th aircraft, Red Vectors MDF products, Vallejo paints and much, much more!

paulr

Great to hear it went so well :-bd  =D>  :-bd  =D>  :-bd

Our shows in NZ pale in comparison

The YouTube review was worth a watch :)
Lord Lensman of Wellington
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pierre the shy

QuoteGreat to hear it went so well :-bd  =D>  :-bd  =D>  :-bd

Our shows in NZ pale in comparison

The YouTube review was worth a watch :)

The Youtube review was indeed really well put together....watched it while trying to put final map for yet another FK&P scenario together.

looks like a very sucessful day with some really good looking games  :-bd



Though much is taken, much abides; and though
we are not now that strength which in old days
moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are.

Steve J

Glad to hear that all had a really good show. Our little local show the next day in a village hall pales in comparison! I did find out thought that Magister Militum, a former regular attendee, are no longer attending shows now.

hammurabi70

QuoteI did find out thought that Magister Militum, a former regular attendee, are no longer attending shows now.

Whence comes this intelligence!?  :-q  :-<  No details on their website.
I was planning to order and pick up at a show from them next year so this would be most unwelcome news.

Gwydion

Trade Show Pre-Ordering page on Magister Militum:

QuoteWill Magister Militum be in my area?
We are now only attending one or two trade shows a year, as life changed a great deal for us during 2020.

https://www.magistermilitum.com/events-pre-ordering

Leon

Quote from: hammurabi70 on 01 December 2022, 08:10:11 PMWhence comes this intelligence!?  :-q  :-<  No details on their website.
I was planning to order and pick up at a show from them next year so this would be most unwelcome news.

Quote from: Gwydion on 01 December 2022, 09:48:19 PMTrade Show Pre-Ordering page on Magister Militum:

https://www.magistermilitum.com/events-pre-ordering

I think they're only going to be at Salute next year?  I've not spoken with Richard/Zoe for a while but I think it's due to them being quite high up in their local council now and they just don't have the time to be on the road as much. 
www.pendraken.co.uk - Now home to over 7000 products, including 4500 items for 10mm wargaming, plus MDF bases, Battlescale buildings, I-94 decals, Litko Gaming Aids, Militia Miniatures, Raiden Miniatures 1/285th aircraft, Red Vectors MDF products, Vallejo paints and much, much more!

Steve J

One of the organisers of the Reveille show commented about their non-attendance over on The Wargames Website.

DHautpol

QuoteThe YouTube review was worth a watch :)

A bit of a late contribution, but I found the YouTube review a very enjoyable 20 minutes.  Shame that it's so far from London.
2016 Painting Competition - Runner-Up!
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Orcs

Great to hear the show is growing and being more successful. I think the fact it is organized by a Trader is a big plus for the traders, as they know you understand the difficulties and financials far better than a wargames group. 
The cynics are right nine times out of ten. -Mencken, H. L.

Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well. - Robert Louis Stevenson