|
Post by NoelSmith on Jul 28, 2014 20:32:32 GMT
I read in the IPMS Magazine about traders who raised a question at the 2014 AGM about there being too many model shows. What can they really expect that IPMS can do about this? Well I would guess not a lot in fact. IPMS is primrily a Scale Modelling Society, not a governing body over every scale modelling club in the UK! As many of the shows throughout the year are run by independent model clubs (who may just happen to have some IPMS members within their ranks), IPMS can have no influence on them I'm afraid. It is only able to ask actual IPMS Branches about this. I would not like to see IPMS get involved with, or use their influence on behalf of any traders with regard to issues such as this. Naturally the society needs to have a good relationship with all traders, but within certain limits. Whilst I fully understand that traders have to be cost effective and get a decent return on each show they trade at, surely, this problem is within the traders own hands to target just the larger shows that would be more profitable for them to attend. Unfortunately, this may be to the detriment of many smaller shows, but as traders are a business, then it is up to them to make the tough business decisions about what shows to attend, and not get IPMS involved in an influencial role to reduce the number of shows. With the demise of Model Shops over the years, many modellers such as myself target just certain larger shows where most traders will be in attendance.
|
|
ptcruiser
Moderator
Car & Motorcycle SIG Leader
Posts: 1,223
|
Post by ptcruiser on Jul 29, 2014 14:59:50 GMT
Hi Noel, I think the point being made by the traders is valid and used the opportunity as Society members to raise the issue whilst there we a number of branch representatives present in one place and, in theory at least, all listening at the same time. Whilst IPMS branches do not organise all shows, they surely organise the majority?
Whilst the traders can make decisions on when and where they attend, the point made at the AGM is that most shows rely on the income from the traders to balance the books of room hire etc. If the traders decide not to appear, particularly at the smaller and thus in theory less successful for the traders, and thus the paying public do not appear, then the fear expressed was that the number of shows would by default reduce but possibly also at the cost of putting financial strain on the organising clubs. The question was to merely consider coordinating where possible to avoid clashes. Most shows reappear on the calendar at similar points each year so again in theory there should be the opportunity to communicate, if desired, with other clubs at that point on the calendar.
As mentioned (IIRC) in the magazine and at the meeting, the toy collector fayres have already gone this way and thus that hobby has taken a significant hit. The point was raised in order to attempt to prevent the same happening with ours.
Rich
|
|
|
Post by NoelSmith on Jul 31, 2014 19:11:35 GMT
Thanks for that Rich, as I was interpreting things differently to you. How I was interpreting it was that the traders were concerned that there were too many shows, and that consequently there was an unrealistic expectancy for them to attend all. As for the demise of the toy collector fayres,they were catering for a completely different market to the sort of model shows that we visit. Originally they were set up and run by likeminded die cast enthusiasts selling and exchanging stuff from their personal collections. Then the Pro outfits muscled in to sell mainly new die casts at horrendous prices and the enthusiasts fell away and did'nt go back. Cheers Noel
|
|
|
Post by modeller on Sept 7, 2014 21:27:20 GMT
Traders as I understand it are invited to attend shows and accept or decline as they choose... I know that our show (in it's 3d year now) struggled this year to attract enough traders...
It is a two way street modellers need traders and if traders start shunning shows they modellers will resort to Internet based retailers instead and we will end up with no small shows at all.
|
|
|
Post by jamessolomon on Sept 19, 2014 12:10:13 GMT
Last time I visited Warley model rail show in 2008 the hall was packed went last year and its half full. Been talking to some regular goers and they say its declined over the years with trade and layouts as new shows pop up around the country Exhibitors and traders find it hard to choose where to go. Been to a couple of shows over the years locally and have seen them decline such as Malpas and Chelford and there is usually a model tent there with exhibits but its gotten smaller and smaller with people going elsewhere Duxford Military Vehicles show gets alot of traders every year with new ones appearing with just tables and tables of new old and rare kits plus ther club has there finals. War & Peace had some this year that made me broke at aq fiver a kit at one trader but not many where there supporting
|
|
|
Post by NoelSmith on Dec 16, 2014 11:49:19 GMT
I read the last two posts with interest, and can to an extent sympathise with what is being said. However, although it would be great if traders could accept invitations to all the smaller shows, it really comes down to whether it would be economically viable for them to do so. The norm is for the organiser to charge a 'table fee' to the trader, and the trader also has the expense of travelling to and fro from the show. I would imagine it would be difficult for traders to break even at smaller shows. It is not so much a question of whether they would like to attend them rather than can they actually afford to? Sadly, that appears to be how it is. Some shows offer a 'Model Tent' at their events. Having experienced a show where the tent almost blew away during a rainstorm.....Never Again!
|
|