Euro 2016

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Okay being a newb here and unused to the current show scene . . .

First time Euro visitor my impression of the venue was nice location, but starting to feel a bit like an ageing dowager with peeling walls and a slight air of shabbiness. I rather like the character of the place myself, but I can understand why it's not everyone's cup of tea.

The competition room only seemed half full when I went in lunchtime on the Saturday, but it was easy to get to see the models and the light was better than some other venues that I've been to. Looking at the photo's being shown I missed several nice models that were added after I looked around - IMO the show room should be closed initially to allow set up, placing then opened and closed later for judging. Even when I went in there were forms being filled in and models being taken into show room; surely the room could have been completely set up ready for viewing soon after the show opens to the public?

Traders hall contained plenty of stands, but not too many 'show offers' that I could see (apologies if I missed 'your' offer) I hear what traders are saying about the cost of stands (staggeringly high from what I can see), but apart from seeing the new stuff in the flesh it's simply no advantage to buying at the show rather than later via tinterweb, hence I came back with almost a full wallet rather than add extra figures to the grey army which can easily be purchased later.

Enough people to make it feel busy, but still room to get round (Perhaps that's not enough people?)

So 4 hour drive to a slightly shabby venue with a competition room that wasn't completely full and ready to be viewed half way through the first day. Sounds quite depressing although I must say I enjoyed myself and felt the trip worthwhile the question is would I rush back next year, probably not I'm afraid.

Please everybody take the above in good faith I've helped organised international events and understand the tremendous amount of unseen work that goes on. I'm not sounding off or having a go at anyone (which looks to be a bit of an annual event) I genuinely thought that a first-timers impression might be useful (In the early 80's I was a regular at the Model Engineering Exhibition and spent 10 years working in the exhibition trade)

Attached is photo taken on the way back to car - did anybody else spot this lady?

Paul
IMG11260.jpg
 
Hi Paul

Firstly no I didn't see the lady, I kept my eyes on the road.:D

With regard to setting up the competition room prior to the entry, everyone arrives at different times, especially those making a long journey and those coming from overseas, and wish to enter. So there's always new pieces being entered virtually right up to the point when we start judging.
I do agree with you however, as I also work on the photography side and because of the late entries some models get missed and we have to spend Sunday going through them all again.:(
I'm afraid that's something we all have to put up with.
Renovation work has been going on at the Hall for some years, but I think a lick of paint would brighten it up considerably, but that's down to the owners of the hall, not the show organisers.
We've had shows either side of Euro and this has obviously impacted on numbers, Maybe Brexit has had an effect too, who knows.
There's a lot of discussions beginning with the traders and organisers along with a few others to try and get this show back to where it was, or sadly I think we will see its demise.

Malc
 
Its all very easy to blame the organisers for the high costs, when really we should be criticising the owners of the Hall (and the insurance company!!!)
The cost for the 3 day's is Astronomical!!!

After 31 years, why aren't the Folkestone council supporting the event, after all it is in their interest to get funds into the town. ( Do they own Lea's Cliff Hall? )

If there was a cheaper, decent, on site venue, I think the Europeans etc. would support it, ( its so easy to get to ) and as I said, they have fond memories of Euro in the olden days as well.

Companies like Pegaso and the rest of the manufacterer's could probably then be persuaded with the encouragement of Military Modelling to start producing new releases again in time for Euro, I am sure they would love to make Euro as good as it use to be, after all, they helped create it.

I do hope the organiser's don't throw in the towel just yet, anything can be turned round, but it needs a bit of dedication, enthusiasm ( which we are all willing to give ) time, and yes, at this stage a bit of money.

The 30th was a good show, probably because it was the 30th year, but it does show the organiser's that there are those willing to attend if it is well worth it.
 
Mmmmm. Just read Robin Bucklands view on the Mil Mod site

If we moved to a different venue, then we would lose the special atmosphere that Euro has always had, and a number of people I spoke to, including traders, were keen that despite the difficulties of the venue that it is best left there.

Robin is perhaps forgetting that you need people to create an atmosphere.
Traders though are happy to stay there ?
 
Mmmmm. Just read Robin Bucklands view on the Mil Mod site

If we moved to a different venue, then we would lose the special atmosphere that Euro has always had, and a number of people I spoke to, including traders, were keen that despite the difficulties of the venue that it is best left there.

Robin is perhaps forgetting that you need people to create an atmosphere.
Traders though are happy to stay there ?


Agree there Nige ...not sure which traders Robin talked to the ones I did were not happy .

Nap
 
"Agree there Nige ...not sure which traders Robin talked to the ones I did were not happy ."

Nap

For me its just typical after show "head in sand syndrome". On the one hand the organisers are saying we are ready to listen - but on the other they've already made up their mind.
IMO Euro will carry on in the Folkestone Leas and will probably suffer death by a thousand cuts.
 
I visited Euromil for the last six years (since its 25th anniversary) with a group of friends. For us it's a boys weekend off and although the location is outdated we have a lot of fun there.
As a visitor:We're all from Holland and we love the fact that it's by the sea and it's only a four hour-drive for us (ferry not included). We found some good restaurants, so the food is good and not expensive.
The beer on the other hand.... jeez. 3,5 pounds for a half pint. The conversion Euro to the pound is outrageous. While internet says it's € 1,17, the bank charged € 1,28.
So that means a half pint is near € 5,-. Let alone what miniatures costs and more then half of Euro traders are from Europe.
We also had our concerns with the calais-refugee problem. So that might scare people.

Euro is for me meeting friends and have a good time. During the day the show will provide that, but as easily we choose to take a swim in the sea down at the beach or have a lunch somewhere in town (The Grant this year hehe).
Euro is the reason we go that weekend, but the friendship is what motivates us more. If the show is somewhere else, we'd probably still go, but on the otherhand if we have to take an overnight ferry it will probably be to far.
As for hotels... we stay at an B&B, nothing fancy. But lots of property is bought and renovated by rich europeans. So hotels will be better in the future (also expensive)

A lot of comparisson is made with SMC Eindhoven. As a former clubmember and former part of the organisation of this show I know a lot about how things are done and run overthere.
We always had our eyes on other shows. See what other shows do best and try to implement that. (I even visitied Stresa in 2014 with the intend to host the world expo in 2020. Looks like they are going to try to qualify for that).
But always try new things as well. Evolve with the wishes of your customers.
The one thing Eindhoven lacks is the place of the venue. Yes hotel and expo is in one location, but It's 20 min with public transport out of Eindhoven. So you're bound to the hotel.
Funny as it may sounds, not everyone wants to talk models all evening :)

The fact that Madrid and Eindhoven have sandwiched Euromilitaire date-wise isn't helping as well. But for the organisation that should scare them a lot.
In the early days when we started planning SMC shows, we looked when shows were held. Not too close to Euromil and not too close to KMK. As a modeller you can't visit them all in a short period of time.
Nowadays SMC isn't afraid of hosting it's show close to Euro cause they don't consider it a thread anymore. Even Madrid "dares" to start a new show within the same timeframe as Euro.

Maybe the wrong forum, but the biggest loss of entry's this year was noticable at the modellers and AFV classes. Almost every European based club and modeller was absent.
Mainly because AFV isn't taken seriously (no chance of winning best of show). But they provided a lot of clubs in the clubroom as well as people in the hotels and the buzz outside in the late hours.
Eindhoven is the perfect platform for both modellers as figurepainters. As a modelshow it's the best in quality. As a figureshow, Euromil is still better but for how long.

Also they need to rethink their competition. Skip judges who haven't a painted a miniature in 20 years and can't see the difference between fishscales and historic armour.
Make a standard and a master class. I entered the competition, but I have not one chance in class 1 and 2 with those pro's around me.
And it's not clear why I win a bronze (a bronze!?!??) in a civilian class (24 or 25) but get a commended or not even a medal in the bust category. It's been done by the same painter in the same period of time. They are both as bad (or good hehe).

Euromil has a future as a figureshow. It has the name, but it needs to create a buzz. When you see a small show like Figureworld starting spamming on facebook six months before the actual date what a great show it is to go to, then you get triggered.
Now I never had the chance of visiting Oundle, but you bet I get fired up everytime I see a post coming. Not by the post itself, but by the reactions of people, The power of spam and buzz.
Two captains on one ship never works. One that wants to make a profit and one that wants to make the best show. The best shows ain't the ones that makes the most profit.
The biggest mistake Euro made, was thinking they were common good.

My thoughts for what they're worth.
 
Hi guys

Lots of interesting and valid comments by Patrick

I would like to see the club displays all away from the balcony , space might be an issue but they worked hard to set up with few from my viewing of visitors to look .

I know they used to be where the new comp classes were .

Just a thought!

Nap
 
Hi

I agree Patrick has made some very valid points about the show.
Where did you go to get a beer, you got ripped, I payed £3.80 for a pint.

As for best of show there have been a few AFV BoS winners in the past. Fantasy seems to favourite at the moment.
Here's a long shot, but would it work?
Best of Show awards for Best Vehicle including Aircraft and Ships, Best Military Figure, and Best Fantasy.
Is that something that could work. It could make the punters of those categories happy.

Malc
 
Great post Patrick.

Don't agree with you about the location but great points about the judging system and the AFV modellers.
The show was better for it in the days before the Trucks'n'tracks split away. Can remember extra side tables being brought in there was that many. Maybe the organisers should try and woo them back in better numbers as well as the top figure painters. Personally I kike to see both Don't know how well attended their February show is.
 
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