Pro's & Con's of 2-day wargames shows?

[Dave Fielder]

We at Exeter Legionary put on a one day show, which both punters and traders are beginning to enjoy very much. It has an informal approach with some good games and all the usual stuff you'd expect. We do anticipate an increase in traders next year (4th May 2013 ... Star Wars Day) which will be the third year at the "Cow Shed" in Exeter which is proving to be a very good location for parking, access and space. For us (the Exmouth Club) two days will not work that well due to the amount of extra work it will involve as we only have a limited amount of people to set up and put away. I did notice that we had a very large contingent of comeptition players (40K and WHF) who spent their time doing just that and a large portion who stayed away from the centre and concentrated on the games and traders. Two days would certainly be a more social affair with many staying the extra night in the West Country but it would exhaust the club members, many of whom have day jobs. Would be keen to hear from traders more about what they realistically expect from a show ... I wonder what Pendraken would like from a show in Devon on 4th May 2013?

[Leon]

I wonder what Pendraken would like from a show in Devon on 4th May 2013?

Unfortunately the date clashes with the Carronade show up in Falkirk, which we've been doing ever since it started.  If Dave had ever managed to sort his move to Cornwall though, the Legionary show would have become his 'local' show and we'd have been there with bells on!

[Dave Fielder]

Falkirk / Exeter ... Not much between the two really! I used to commute from Exmouth to Arbroath when part of 45 Commando.

Shame though would have been good to get you guys along.

[Leon]

Falkirk / Exeter ... Not much between the two really! I used to commute from Exmouth to Arbroath when part of 45 Commando.

Shame though would have been good to get you guys along.

Never say never though, if any dates change over the next couple of years we could look at it again.

[Maenoferren]

Can't say I have ever been to a two day show, and now at the edge of empire that looks even less likely 

[lentulus]

Longer shows are the North American norm, but then they are spread over the landscape a lot more (closest to me is about an 8 hour drive, big ones a two hour flight) so it's worth staying two days.

In the UK where (if I understand the show circuit correctly) you (that is, a typical gamer) are likely to have at least one you can get to with middling-sane travel, possibly by transit, would there be the same need?

[Orcs]

Longer shows are the North American norm, but then they are spread over the landscape a lot more (closest to me is about an 8 hour drive, big ones a two hour flight) so it's worth staying two days.

I live about 20 miles outside London - If I was prepared for an 8 hour drive I could probably attend nearly any show in England, Scotland Or Wales.  As it is I am fortunate in that I must have 3 big shows and 3 small  ones all within an hours drive each way.  Thats without bothering to go into or across London.  If I did this I would also add two of the biggest shows in the south of england.  SELWG and Salute.

Makes me realise how fortunate I am .

[Hertsblue]

From where I live, just north of London it's possible to get to the Midlands or the south coast and back in a day. Anything further would require a stopover. However, it's not distance that dictates which shows I go to primarily, but the counter-pressures of family life. 

[Luddite]

Do we need 2-day shows?

'We?'
'Need?'

For me, shows are rarely big enough to warrant more than a couple of hours tops, let alone 2 days.

Tournaments are a different matter an i'll regularly attend 2-day tournaments, amking a social weekend of it typically, with a bunch of chaps from the club.  You also get to know tournament players from other clubs so its a chance to meet up.

Do you regularly attend both days of any shows yourself?

No.  Most UK shows are 'doable' in a couple of hours.  I've even been at tournaments at shows and had enough time between games to get round everything else (e.g. Vapnartak)

Or do you prefer to get everything done in a single day?

Yep.

For the visitors, would having to go on a specific day stop you from visiting?

No.

We regularly see several clubs who make a weekend of it, the Tring guys at Triples, the Reiver club at Derby, etc. and both me and Dave really enjoy that social aspect to it.

Aye the social aspect of the hobby is very important.  Wargaming is, ultimately a social activity after all (which i guess is why we ike it!)

I seem to remember reading an estimate some time ago that there are about 50,000 wargamers (not counting the GW crew) in the UK.  Always wondered how cool it would be to get us all together in one place at one time! 

12,000 tables laid out at Wembley could do a massed doubles tournament event...make it 10mm and Pendraken's sale would tear GW a new one!   

[TinyTerrain]

Only ever do 1 day as a punter, have done a 2 dayers at Bovvy and to be frank I am bored titless by 11am on the second day 

The thing is that many traders are all over the net and most given a few days will send you plenty of pics, so the need to see stuff in the flesh and hoard your orders for a big show has disappeared for me. Yes theres postage costs but on 6mm, 10mm  compared to travel expenses they are minimal. many traders have stopped doing special deals at shows as the costs for them are too high to go mad and offer big discounts.

With the arrival of evilbay much of what is at the tabletop sales are  not such a draw anymore, so the only reason I go to shows is either to put on a demo table to show my terrain off int he hope of getting 1 or 2 interested customers (and then I only do 1 day) , to browse and get a few ideas of what's popular (so I know what to make and sell with my Tiny Terrain head on), or to get ideas how other people have painted and modelled stuff.

As a trader I wouldnt take a stand, I have enough custom modelling stuff to keep me ticking over using the net and personal recommedations, although I am only doing this as a part time thing to fund my lead habit not as a business that I rely onto feed the sproggs.

From a  social perpective, I'd rather do a Nikfest or similar once or twice a year, and go for a few freindly games and a beer and pizza........much more relaxed.

Cheers,

Craig
Tiny Terrain Models

BTW did I mention I make custom terrain? Roll up....roll up, get your terrain here Etc

[Yorky]

Prefer 1 day, as usually bored to death after circuit of venue, unless i get talking to friendly staff members, i think a lot of wargame demos or participation games the main players are very stuck up unless you seem to ask right questions (i.e im new to this can you give me some info. is not a good question). i was at Wartorn 2days in Scarborough last month and even Warlord (who were showing off new rules & supposedly giving pdfs/printouts of basic rules but didnt) couldnt be arsed with the public (played their own game). not like the fantastic guys who were at the Birthday party

in resort towns/big cities you pay a lot for parking & hotels so value wise its off limits to me, unless i have friends/relatives close by.