Poll: What do you want from a model show?

[Mongo Mel]

Hi all,
My IPMS club got into a discussion on how best to improve and promote our model show.
We're located in Pittsburgh PA and average 220 models on the table most years. 75 miles south in Morgantown WV they average 5-600 (it seems).
We want to know just what we need to do to change things around.
One thing discussed was just what people want from a show. Or for what reason do they attend.
So I thought I'd ask everyone here...
Why do you attend a show?
What makes you travel more than 50 miles to attend a show?
What would you most like to see at a show?
What would you like to see disappear from a show?

Here's a link to our show web site. Please take a look and let me know what you think of it (show promotion or otherwise)
3 Rivers IPMS
Thanks,
Craig

 

[whdamon]

I might suggest the number 1 consideration in promoting your show is to make sure you have it listed in Fine Scale Modeler.....Amazing how many closet modelers there are out there and this magazine is their view of the world. Not a criticism, but something we found in promoting our show in Western Mass, into its 16th year and maintaining a constant growth.

Walt Damon

 

[Blind Pew]

Dear Craig, to answer your questions,

1) I'd attend a show for a few reasons, really to get to talk a good chinwag with other modellers, and see the work that others do. Also to pick up bases,etc. as this is a major way that most people I know get hold of them. As we all know kits can be bought over the internet these days of course, but bases made of wood are often picked on the basis of the wood grain etc. You can't do that online!

2) I most like to see other modellers' work that is of a great standard.

3) Maybe a scheme where BOS is voted for by either fellow competitors or fee paying entrants to the show. Just a thought.

all the best mate

 

[Jason W.]

Originally posted by Mongo Mel@Jan 7 2006, 09:38 AM

Why do you attend a show?
What makes you travel more than 50 miles to attend a show?
What would you most like to see at a show?
What would you like to see disappear from a show?

Craig,

I really enjoy going to the local model shows. I like the laid back "feel" these shows exhibit. Every one I've gone to has been a pleasent experience and all modelers had a good time. Of course you'll have your whiner and gloomer, but thats human nature....Sometimes that can give "spice" to a show. :lol:

What I would really like to see is more junors involved. "Make & Take" projects are great and the Michigan Toy Soldier show does a great job with this. They will have several tables set up with piles of primed toy soldiers and plastic zoo animals for kids (and some grown-ups) to paint. I also see this at local model plane and tank shows. Members of these clubs will donate kits and such for junors to build.

I would also like to see more seminars and "how-to's". I feel these mini events keep the show going and entertaining.

What would I like to see disappear?
Long registration lines. But I believe this is being improved with every show I attend. Mailing out pre-reg forms helps too.

Jason

 

[Bluesking]

I attend shows to talk to other modellers, see what's new, see the models of course and make purchases from traders.
My own club show is over 100 miles from my home.
Always like to see a good crop of retailers (and a bar)
There is nothing that springs to mind that I would want to see disappear from a show except over crowding and guys with BACKPACKS ON !!!!!

 

[Uruk-Hai]

There are many aspects that are important. How much each aspect is imortant varies depending on the individual builder. Also its often a combination.

Heres my list in no perticular order.

-Models. View and enjoy other peoples work. The more the better.
-Shopping. Many vendors to cater for all your needs. Especially hard to find items.
-Socializing. To meet people and share thought and experiences or simply have a good time.
-Seminars/workshop. To learn and to develop one own skill perhaps only be inspired.
-Contest. Fair awards with fair judging.
-Lodging. The possibilites to stay over night. Especially if its a long drive.

These are the reason in my opinion why people visit shows, whether just as visitors or contributors. Some aspects might be more important than others.

Its also important for those that want to socialize that they feel welcome and are quickly introduced so they can feel being part of the gang.

Cheers

 

[phc35]

Why do you attend a show?
What makes you travel more than 50 miles to attend a show?
What would you most like to see at a show?
What would you like to see disappear from a show?

1) vendors/previous experience of show
2) same as #1/especially nationaly know vendors
3) faster judging
4) big mouth experts

Jay

:lol:

 

[garyjd]

Why do you attend a show?
What makes you travel more than 50 miles to attend a show?

To "talk shop" with folks you normally only communicate with via the internet and see their work. For me it's the most rewarding and fulfilling part of the show. The "competition" aspect of it means little to me personally.

What would I like to see at a show?

More participation from younger folks in the hobby by offering more in the way of seminars or instruction. it would be great to see the "big names" in the hobby host seminars for the younger folks, but don't hold your breath.

What would you like to see disappear from a show?

The "competition" side of it. Though it will NEVER happen. It has to be one of the main reasons people attend. I believe there have been at least one attempt at a non-competitive show and it was not that well recieved. I think a lot of "closet" painters and sculptors not only shy away from entering, but even displaying their work because they feel their stuff is not at the same level as a lot of exhibitors.~Gary

 

[Mongo Mel]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the feedback. Based on comments here and on ArmoramA there are some changes being talked about as we speak! And several other club members have posted this same thread on their sites of choice so we're getting even more feedback.


Walt, we've done our best to get our show listed in Finescale every year but we seem to have some problems most every time. I'll be the first to admit that some of it has been our fault. But when the first time it shows up is a month after the show it's a little disheartening. We have a guy in the club that is taking on the job of marketing the show this year as well as for the 2 dat regional we're doing next year (shameless plug).

Jay,

4) big mouth experts

Have you been to our show before? (hehehe)
Seriously, every show I've been to has at least one of those types in attendance. Well, they can be good for some fun.

Janne, we're one of the very few IPMS clubs that uses the open judging system. And we've been doing it for several years now so we're getting pretty good at it.

Jason, I'm pretty sure that we'll have the on line registration forms again this year. We've never tried the "make'n'take" for the kids. I've seen it at other shows too. I'll be sure to bring it up.

Steven, hmmm..a bar..not that's an idea

Gary, I know what you mean about the competition aspect of the shows. While I don't mind winning, it's not what I go to shows for. We managed to get Shep Paine to conduct his figure painting workshop at the regional we did a few years back and it was a smash hit. There must have beed 15 or 20 guys in the class. I've suggested trying to get a "name" to come to the the next regional and it's being discussed.
Let's see, you're in Erie right? So what would I have to do to convince you to come to our next show?

Okay, thanks again guys. I appreciate you taking the time to help out.
For everyone else, please take a few minutes to add your thoughts.
Craig

PS: To the moderators, I'd like to ask if there is any way that this thread could be
made "sticky" for a little while? I'd like the opportunity to get more of the planet members thoughts and suggestions. Maybe for a week or two if that's not asking too much. Thanks.

 

[Pete_H]

Why do you attend a show? Friends.
What makes you travel more than 50 miles to attend a show? Friends.
What would you most like to see at a show? More friends.
What would you like to see disappear from a show? Long lines at the hospitality suite

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Hi Craig!

I wouldnt mind getting a copy of all the input this question has generated over the net. If its possible that is.

Interesting subject as it helps the hobby to grow and the participants to get more from it.

Cheers

 

[Mongo Mel]

Hi Janne,
What I plan on doing is assembling the results of everyones posts for my club to discuss. I'd be happy to send you a copy when it's done.
Craig

 

[AJLaFleche]

I posted this reply at Armorama but with an addendum relating ot some comments here:

One thing several clubs do here is to raise the tables using 18 inch PVC tubing. This reduces the likelihood of little hands reaching out and touching something and and makes it easier to look at the models: you aren't bending over nearly as far.

We, too, are toying with dropping out of box. At least 75-80% of the OOB winners are also place winners. Quite simply, quality shows thorugh.

A really nice thing we've done when we've had access to a digital projector was to project an image of the winning model as it was announced. That way, everybody knows which Gizamewhatchit Mark III, Ausf D-2 won an award.

While newbies may want showy plaques, those who've been around a while have more plaques than space. We've moved to a custom stand-up medallion of our logo. It's at the point that some folks look at plaques as diorama bases.

Like your club, we have never done sweeps, though we have given one person more than one award when there were fewer than three builders.

A good array of categories, unless the event is booked as a car model contest, figure show or AMPS event is essential. One local event has better than 80% of its classes as cars while promoting itself as a general contest.

Feedback from the judges, escpecially when a model almost got an award (or a better award) is very good to see as well. The only place this is routinely done is at AMPS.

A couple thoughts on what other posters have suggested.
BOS as people's choice can and does lead to questionable results. A recent figure show in the Northeast had a relatively small number of votes, with, accorcing to the organizer, several in the same handwriting for one item (which won.) We stopped people's choice for the same reason.

Faster judging. The only way to do this is to get more judges.

Seminars. You need people willing to do seminars.

Lonng registration lines. Most events are one day affairs with a limited registration time. No matter how effecient the registrar is, the line with grow. There will always be the person with a $20 to pay a $1 entry and thgen ask questions where things should go on the table.At least most aren't as bad as the opening of registration at this years Region 1 IPMS convention where the registrar insisted on s-l-o-w-l-y transcribing each builders entries onto a registration sheet that could/should have beenhanded to the entrant, had it not been made available on-line.

 

[EasyOff]

I like everyone's ideas, but I also like Judges Ribbons. They're not that expensive, they distinguish who is looking at a group of models so you don't get pissed off because they won't move along... Other benefits are, you may get more people to move the judging along faster because they're rewarded with a ribbon that shows a position of honor and respect. Who wouldn't want a room full of trophies and a couple dozen Judges ribbons showing off your status to friends and family that really don't know how it works .

 

[terp47]

I would very much like to see more "how to's" at the shows. Books and articles can only do so much. I do like th opportunity to see the work of other people and to buy some hard-to-find items.

Brian

 

[thegoodsgt]

A few things come to mind.

First, and most importantly, I want a chance to see live demonstrations that show me how to do various tasks (e.g., working with photoetch, using an airbrush, painting flesh tones, etc.). Everyone who attends a show should have the opportunity to go home a little bit smarter. That way he's likely to build better models, derive more satisfaction from the hobby, and return to next year's show.

I also like to see really good vendors, a mix of established shops as well as sales from private modelers.

Although I like the gold/silver/bronze medal system, I can understand the IPMS preference for a more traditional first/second/third place system. To bring IPMS closer to the medal system, allow the judges to offer a discretionary but unlimited number of "awards of merit" so that more entrants go home with a sense of having done well.

I also like being among friends. There's not much that a host club can do about that other than designating a few members as "hospitality" contacts to go around and speak to attendees who appear to be there alone.

 

[Mongo Mel]

For anyone following this thread, I've posted a new thread with the results from the survey.
Here's a link to it...
Results
My thanks to those of you that helped me out with you thoughts and ideas.
Craig

 

[Wlas]

A good thread, Craig, but conservative in the responses. No one admitted what they really wanted at shows so I guess I'll take the baton and run with it.

I want......
Dancing girls in cages!
Live music ( preferably Cuban or Brazilian.....not that old bagpipe stuff )!
Lazer lights!
Scantily dressed company reps ( and NOT Chuck Robinson in a G-string )!
15 minutes of the show on E Entertainment Tonight!
The trashy ( my kind of lady ) Hilton girls mingling with the crowd!
Alcholic beverages served by black-leathered mistresses under 25 years of age ( tattoos prefered )!
....and a decent cup of coffee for under a dollar!

 

[John Bowery]

I agree with all of the above answers and they provide a lot of insight.
My wife and I go to get away for the week-end. (If it is a week-end show)
To say "I Saw that at the _______ show.
I go to take photo's of the stuff I LIKE.
I go and enter to see how I am doing in quality versus the others at the show. To see what I think I need to do to improve and achieve the next level. I go to find some items that I have not had a chance to see in the flesh. I go for bases.
I go to see the lectures and demonstrations and meet old friends and perhaps the chance to make some new ones.

It is sometimes hard to meet new friends at new shows. At some shows people seem to be busy in their own little world and I do not wish to interrupt them. Some of the host clubs do not make any efforts to make a newcomer feel at home. The only person at one show that talks to me is the registration person. I feel the host club, should make more of an effort to make people that they are not familiar with, more welcome. Just a "Hello, are you finding everything ok? my name is ____ and if you have any questions look me up," would work fine. That was how I found the local model club at a show. Some of us may be a little shy away from our territory, especially with people who are a little higher in quality and perhaps a lot more talented.

Just my two cents worth.
John

 

[Sambaman]

John W.......... :lol: :lol: I'll second your sugestions! Good work!

John B..............I highly recomend the Tulsa HMSNEO show for hospitality. Not because I'm a member, but becuse we have the best hospitality suite on the planet, and we Okies are some of the friendliest breed you will ever come across! It's a smaller show, with great comraderie and high quality work! Come on over!

Jay H.
OKC