New UK figure show, June 2022

[Babelfish]

I think Keith might have mentioned this a while back but a few more details are now available and flyers have been printed, so here's an update.

The Leeds-based White Rose figure modelling club is staging its first show next year. Hopes are high that it will be a success and if it is, it could be an exciting new addition to the show calender in the years to come.

Over & above the info on the flyer, it's been decided that competition entry will be free of charge, although there will be an admission fee that will be announced in due course.

I've also been asked to mention that there is mobility access (lifts) to the event rooms for wheelchair users, and – at least as things currently stand – unlike at some other events there will be no requirement to present covid vaccine "passports" (hopefully that won't change).

No word yet on on-site catering (if any) but there are plenty of cafes, pubs etc. within short walking distance of the venue.

See you there!

- Steve

 

[theBaron]

Much success to the club, in this initial venture!

Prost!
Brad

 

[Mirofsoft]

Informing with a poster ( the best way to promote an event ) Will be on my site tomorrow
Thanks

 

[Nap]

Hi Steve

Well done to all involved great to have another show on the circuit , knowing WR it will be very successful

Look forward to seeing more

Thanks for sharing

Nap

 

[Forté]

Hi Steve.

I've had Colin share a photo of the flyer in the Bust@ group on Facebook (monthly). While a paper flyer I great promotion at an event for bags and handouts (and hopefully doesn't just going into people's bins), using a photo of a flyer to promote on social media doesn't really grab the attention of many people and get people engaged and talking about it.

The last post in the group on November 8th for example has a reach of 751 people (out of 4.4k members), just 8 reactions, 5 photo views, and one comment thread.

Salute that happened last weekend for example didn't really promote (as usual if I'm honest) and I found many people who didn't even know it was going on.

To really get people attention now you need to try and work social media more, and I don't mean paying for adverts as they often miss the target audience. But posting from a dedicated page with interesting posts to get people talking, using good quality images (actually upload the flyer image that was use to print the flyers for example), stories, and hashtags is all part of it. Use Instagram too.

As for competition rules; publish them in advance so people can plan entries. Don't tell people to phone someone (especially if that's a personal phone number which bring all sorts of security issues anyway). Give information so they don't have to ask and have an info email or tell people to message via Facebook. Don't let people invade your private time.

If this just seems harsh, I'm sorry. But I'd rather see the hobby community thrive than see empty halls where traders are paying to hopefully find new customers and organisers/staff have been busy setting up. The promotion is vital to attract people and so many shows I see really hold back on it.

 

[Babelfish]

If this just seems harsh, I'm sorry. But I'd rather see the hobby community thrive than see empty halls where traders are paying to hopefully find new customers and organisers/staff have been busy setting up. The promotion is vital to attract people and so many shows I see really hold back on it.

So would I, and I agree with you that it's all about promotion.

Fortunately they're not only relying on me sharing a post on pF. I'm not involved with the organisation or the "official" promotion, I'm just a club member just doing my (modest) bit to stir the pot and spread the word, as are other club members. And you know how the old saying goes, there's no such thing as bad publicity! So if a mention by me on here makes a difference in getting another one or two bodies through the door, then I'll be happy with that as I'll have done my bit to help my club.

- Steve

 

[Tecumsea]

Thanks for your comments and advice which have been noted, thanks also to Steve for another plug. Several members of the group have been involved in shows before and so we will be making every effort to publicise the event. It is still early days and the market hasn't really woken up from Covid so it is difficult to know exactly how the modelling community will react to the show season when it kicks off again. The Trade have also shifted on line and it is yet to be seen how they will embrace local shows in the future. There are challenges ahead but we are determined to make a success of this event which may lead to something on an even larger scale in the future.

Hopefully the modelling community will rally round both modellers and Traders, without their support the future for shows will be doubtful.

We are still in discussion regarding some of the finer points of the show but drip feeding information gives us opportunities to reafirm the show on Social media over the next 5-6 months.

Hopefully the possibility of a weekend in or near York will add to the attraction.

Thanks again for your observations,

Keith

 

[Forté]

And you know how the old saying goes, there's no such thing as bad publicity!
- Steve

Sadly, that's not strictly true. Bad publicity can get people looking but more in the way people rubberneck at a car crash and then gossip about it and spread the bad news. And people do love a good gossip on social media, then to form an opinion without having actual knowledge [hard facepalm].

 

[Henk]

Sadly, that's not strictly true. Bad publicity can get people looking but more in the way people rubberneck at a car crash and then gossip about it and spread the bad news. And people do love a good gossip on social media, then to form an opinion without having actual knowledge [hard facepalm].

Too bloody true. the interweb is both a blessing, and a curse. Fantastic to spread news, and connect people. equally good at spreading crap.. Sadly the old saying of "any publicity is good publicity" is no longer true, since everybody can now publish any old rubbish, at the click of a button.
As an aside, thats why I havn't bothered with faceache for a few years now. The benefits of the site are now so far outweight by the the relentless adverts and crap, i gave up.

 

[Babelfish]

Sigh. My "bad publicity" comment was meant more as a tongue-in-cheek aside to lighten the tone, and not meant to be taken so literally. Maybe I should have added an "emoji" for clarity .

But more importantly - and by way of a quick update - the guys at the club who are in charge of organising the show have now decided on the admission fee, which will be £5.00.

- Steve

 

[Henk]

back to the show... , Its a long way away, but a bit far up north for me. But never say never... (My first modelshow attendance was at a show near Doncaster. About 4 and a half hours from my home....)

 

[Chrisr]

, Its a long way away,.. (My first modelshow attendance was at a show near Doncaster. About 4 and a half hours from my home....)

Gosh. In Australia that’s close. Just down the road.

 

[Henk]

Gosh. In Australia that’s close. Just down the road.

I know, we used to get bemused comments from Americans on another model website years ago, when we lamented the demise of the 'local' hobby shop... When they routinely considered several hours away as 'local'

 

[Forté]

I know, we used to get bemused comments from Americans on another model website years ago, when we lamented the demise of the 'local' hobby shop... When they routinely considered several hours away as 'local'

Local is a 15mins walk

 

[DEL]

It's great to see a serious attempt to establish a new show.
So kudos to White Rose.
Great pity it's not on the East Coast main line, it's just too impractical for us from West of Scotland mainly due to time.
1 hour to get to Glasgow, 4 to 5 hours+ to York and then nearly an hour to Easingwold.

 

[Helm]

Like the man said make a weekend of it
Steve

 

[DEL]

Like the man said make a weekend of it
Steve

Nah done York and Leeds to death.
Checked the predicted rail fares against flying return Glasgow to Eindhoven.
Guess which is cheaper. Hotel prices are much the same.
Mind you the way things are going in Europe, World Expo begins to look like it's hanging on an increasingly shaky nail.

 

[Bob Orr]

Going to make a real effort to get to this if I can. Bob

 

[brian]

I fancy this big time.

 

[David Spencer]

I'll have some of that!
Although god knows where Easingwold is...