No more Euro

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Folkestone's a big no for me for a show but I wish all the traders good luck if that is where they think the future lies.
 
Hi Ron yes your right but it's a double edge sword we wanted to do the Armouries in Leeds but people still wanted Falkstone so what do you do? Euro can be revived but it will take some doing and revamping the whole thing and taking a look at what works and what does not.

We shall see if their is the will from the trade to get behind a rescue plan. I was one who talked about the My Time media not doing enough and making money out of it and putting nothing back. I was not going to Euro next year as I refused to put more money in thier pockets. now is a chance to try and put right what was so wrong. but to do that it will take a good team and support. from the trade and most of all you the punter.

Ian

www.elliesminiatures.com

As you know I live in Folkestone and the town is well past its best before date.
Just a thought what about joining up with the war and peace show at Folkestone Racecourse ???????

Mick
 
As someone who is involved with staging a show, and who observes how other shows are staged, I'll add that it can be a lot of work, and that it's also easy for the promoters to get lulled into an attitude of "everything is running fine, we don't need to examine what we're doing". But it's a business, even if a show is staged by a non-profit organization, and the promoters have to think like businessmen. I don't mean that they need to focus on profits, but they need to start with their premise, their purpose, and then order everything to that end. "What is our goal?" "To stage an exhibition of painted figures." Everything needs to be directed toward that goal, and if something doesn't promote that end, it needs to be changed or discarded.

If someone does step up and rescues the show's brand, or creates a replacement to fill the void, I wish him success and good luck!

Prost!
Brad
 
Agree with Ron about Folkestone itself becoming an issue - a town (like its run-down hotels) and Euro itself living largely on past glories. Somewhere like Canterbury would have been better I reckon - still convenient enough to attract overseas footfall, but a bigger town with more amenities & attractions, and also one that is steeped in history.

- Steve
Most defiantly,a beautiful setting for an event like Euro - canterbury
 
Somewhere like Sandown Park or Kempton Park might be suitable. Certainly there's room for re-enactors etc at both sites. Telford isn't bad, but military figure modelling would be swamped. Getting back with the MEE might be an option of benefit to both model engineers and figure modellers.

Mike
 
I think a great venue would be Norfolk, West Winch to be precise. We've got loads of space and great lighting, if you don't mind getting a bit wet occasionally......and I could walk there, but I probably won't (trying to cut down on my exercise and healthy eating). We've even got some paved roads and electricity, and some massive fields where you could park your airship :)
 
I am not shock but saddened by this. After a 15 year gap I attended Euro in 2014 and was shocked by the lack of outside displays, reenactors, a tent to cater for the companies who couldn't get space in the hall, and the much reduced number of visitors. Walking around the suppliers were friendly as ever though fewer than in the past, and the demanour was good. In my humble opinion the organsiers were seeking to make a profit in an increasingly old fashioned venue (despite refurbishement) in a town which sadly looked much more weary than it used to.

I regulary attended Euro, BMSS Nationals and the Model Engineering shows in the late 1970s until I emigrated in 2000. I have great memories of these shows. Now living in Switzerland Montrouge and Inglostadt have become fixtures in my calendar though there are shows aplenty in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Spain and Italy which I want to attend and in the UK Sword and Lance and Telford are two I also wish to attend someday.

In conclusion despite this sad news I do think that an opportunity has arisen here. There is space for a replacement show and one that may be run more to serve hobbyists than the commercial interests. In a time when thanks to the internet we're in a golden age with great releases weekly, great communication about products becoming available and the choice has never been greater there must be room for a new show which will attract people and manufacturers. As some have said maybe in a different town with history, better hotels (I stayed at the Grand B and later found that it was being used as social housing though I paid enough to be there) and easy communication might be an idea.

Finally I find the commuication pretty pathetic. Del stated "Rather than take responsibility for ignoring ideas and suggestions for improvement they cite the originators for getting older and dying..........shame on you. Had changes been embraced Euro would have been the dynamic show we modeller knew it could be.........this is nothing short of death by deliberate neglect" - I totally agree with this statement.

Cheers

Huw

p.s. MM forum is totally divided on this one - take a read if you like. One guy even says it's because MM is too figure biased... and he misses the previous editor - these views I don't share at all!
 
Well guys I have been in contact with a couple of fellow traders and we are going to see what response we get from others to see if we can do something about keeping it going at Folkstone. it's not going to be easy but we shall see if it can be done . so don't be down harted yet the 7th Cav just might save the day.

Ian

www.elli8esminiatures.com
Folkstone actually became part of the problem Ian , with banning reenactors , the venue hall and miserable hotels , lack of parking etc
Personally Ian I believe anybody looking to resurrect the show in another guise should move away from Folkestone. It will forever be associated with Euro and its problems and the well documented gripes about hotels. New show new location.

I have just been to the ipms Telford show for the first time and was blown away with the size & venue. Held in the international centre it was huge. Three hotels on site. Definitely run by modellers for modellers. If you are a member of the ipms free to get in. Doors open an hour earlier to members over paying public. Discount at the hotels for ipms members. Kit swop that didn't affect traders. Billed as biggest show of its type in the world and literally their were people from all over the world,just like the good old days of Euro.

I'm not suggesting that a new show would be this big but from acorns etc. More modern what people expect today for their hard earned money. The world has changed a lot since Euro began and we have better transport links and better facilities all over the country.

Peter.
 
Hi Peter I agree with what you are saying, the armouries was my first thought but from what a couple of us have been told quite a lot still want Folkstone. but it's still early days we are still looking at who would like to get involved and what can be done. the Leeds venue is a fantastic place and the hotels are great and it's easy to get to. but we will just have to see what response we get.

Cheers

Ian

www.elliesminiatures.com
 
Totally agree with Bootneck. Was at Telford as well for the second time (even though its predominately Kits) and the organisation was exceptional. Not only that but the Hotels we stayed at both years were not only cheaper, cleaner and more comfortable but were far friendlier and much better value for money. Folkestone isn't even at the races :)
 
The Leeds venue sounds good , a bit more accesable as it is quit central and a historic background to a venue is always a bonus .

In the end Euro suffered a lot of aliements , with judging coming into question more and more , its failure to do a standard comp entry which should have been taken on board as the quality of moddelling is reaching ever soaring heights . You win in the standard then you go into the upper echelons .
 
Planning to attend euro in 2017...hope this is just a bad dream. :(

Cheers,
Pedro.
 
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