Model Engineering Exhibition 2006 Olympia

[Uzzy]

I have been thinking of attending the above event which has been advertised in the normal magazines but when I went on the website I noticed this " Postponed Until After The New Year" I suppose its just a case of watch the space although advance tickets are still valid etc.

[modeng2000]

Would hope to see something about the postponement in the next ME Magazine

John

[houstonceng]

There was a "Stop Press" note inserted into my SMEE Journal - which came today - saying that the event was postponed.

Advance tickets would be honoured when the MEEx was held or refunds could be requested.

No other info. We'll have to wait to see why it's been postponed.

[stantheman]

HI.
Just noticed the news yesterday, I wonder if there is a problem with support, due to the proposed change of venue back into Olympia. Although not ideal for a proportion of visitors, Sandown Park was relatively easier to reach and did not involve any real access problems. I have heard that club support may have been a thin on the ground, not heard much about traders.

[waggy]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, hold the exhibition in the Midlands and people will attend. The N.E.C. would be ideal. Can't think of a place with easier access.

Waggy.

[GeorgeRay]

The problem is lack of support from clubs and traders apparently. Could also be due to the sale of ME to a web based company that may have no real interest in practical publishing or exhibitions.

[NigelMuskett]

Could also be due to the sale of ME to a web based company that may have no real interest in practical publishing or exhibitions.

If they were not serious would they employ the Harrowgate manger to run it?

[stantheman]

Looking at the various replies and comments on this it begs the question, does anybody know anything about the 'new' owners of ME. Where they are based, where in fact they can be contacted?
Years ago of course we had direct contact through the magazine editorial section and our friendly organiser Mary White, now it is just electronics!
Seems a shame if this is to be the end of things, I suppose we, the hobby, will be getting the blame for the failure, if indeed lack of support for Olympia is the reason for this latest turn of events.

Stan. (Staines Society)

[Tony K]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, hold the exhibition in the Midlands and people will attend. The N.E.C. would be ideal. Can't think of a place with easier access.

Waggy, I normally agree with most things you say but not entirely on this one. Is your shed in the midlands? ;D If you lived in Wick, and I did once, you would not think the NEC was particularly convenient. The NEC is not a particular success - I think the Motor Show was never as good there and I am pleased it has gone back to London. As you say there is excellent transport to the NEC, better than all other venues (which it is why it is there), but I think it falls down in the fact that there is much more to do before and after in London than there is in Coventry and Birmingham. My opinion.

Back to the point, I think it is important for exhibitions to be held around the country to give easy access to all at least once per year. Harrogate is a good central venue - nearer the centre of Great Britain and not just central to England.

We know nothing yet but I suspect the problem is at least partly due to the fees charged by the organising companies to sales stands etc. People who give the impression they know, tell me organisers charge in excess of £2000 per day for a stand. This can only be greater in Central London. With staff salary and accommodation costs and the costs of pilfering added to this, you have to sell many bags of 6BA nuts to make enough profit to break even. Bearing this in mind and remembering we would have bought the 6BA nuts by post anyway, I can understand why the trade stands are reluctant. In fact I cannot understand why they do it at all - unless it is just one of those things they have to be seen at.

The organising companies are there to make money too - perhaps they have overcooked it this time. Every bubble has to burst eventually and maybe this will send a useful warning shot.

Regards, Tony

[districtgrandmaste]

I've not been to the ME exhibition for more than four years so I can't lament its demise. My query is what will become of the various competitive trophies - Duke of Edinburgh downwards?

I take myself off to the Model Engineers 'Gathering' up at Alexandria Palace at the end of January. It's very crowded but has most of the trade (except Myford!) there, many societies and a growing number of exhibits.

The organisers (TEE Publishing - the EIM people) were pressing to get the various Trophies transferred to them - but I imagine that could keep lawyers in chancery for as long as Jardice v Jardice (Charles Dickens - Bleak House for those of a literary turn of mind!) and with the same result.

Is it time for a campaign?

[stantheman]

Talking of campaigns, I seem to remember SMEE showed some interest in taking on the organising of this particular London show some years ago, when it really started to become a financial cause rather than a gathering of like minded model engineers. Talk was that if they were able to then it would stay in the London area. It all fizzled out in due time, as do a lot of things. Not sure where they would have held it though.

[Nexuas]

My understanding or the postponement is thus...

The main man on the organising team has been taken ill, and is curremtly not in a position to advance the plans for the exhibition. There has also been a problem getting traders on board due to the exhibition falling in what is typically a Christmas shut down period and directly before the New year Bank holiday.

Because of these two facts the descision was taken to postpone.

ALL INFORMATION RECOUNTED IN GOOD FAITH AND FROM A SOURCE I DEAM TO BE RELIABLE...

[waggy]

Tonytrans,

I fully agree with you regarding having shows around the country, inspiration for all of us. Perhaps not the N.E.C, maybe Harrogate!

However, I still argue the point that the "Model Engineer Exhibition" should be held centrally. This is, after all, the only exhibition where we can see the DoE, Maskeleyne Cup, etc trophy winners. My opinion.

Waggy.

[Myford Matt]

Given London's size, transport links and distractions for those not into ME, it is an obvious place to have at least one major exhibition per year and keep the rest of the family happy. What I find curious is putting two London shows so close together. Mid-March or late Nov would be much better, then the main ones would be reasonably well spaced: Jan (AP) Mar (Olympia) May (Harrogate) July (Guildford) Oct (Midlands). (I know there are others, just can't remember them all.)

Sorry Waggy – I can't see the success of an NEC-based one – I always find it to be a depressing dump with no atmosphere. I know it is meant to be the centre of the country, but London is the centre of a very big chunk of the population and there is always the Midlands show in Oct.

Are there any big shows north of Harrogate? It would be nice to have an excuse to go to Newcastle, Lancashire or Scotland.

I don't understand why everyone is so cynical about Magicalia. I work for a large London publisher and like any publisher we are aiming for a mix of web and print. It's a business and we pursue what works. In fact, if British engineering had been as innovative and
forward looking as the print industry it might be a lot better off than it is now. (BTW - I’m not blowing my own trumpet – I work on the editorial side, so investment and new technology is nothing to do with me.)

I do think ME titles are terribly fusty and old fashioned – poor layout, hopeless photography and (some) dreadful padded, cliché-ridden writing. They are not all bad, but they do need shaking up and if a new company with some useful websites and opportunities for better ad revenue is the way ahead then I’m all in favour. To be honest I doubt if we’ll notice much difference at all – they’ll add a chat room imitation of this website with a few advertiser links and ‘useful’ tips. If we’re lucky they’ll add an archive of printable back issues, which would be handy.

[Jo]

Is it a wonder the guy has become ill if he was trying to organise it on his own The organisation of the Guildford summer show is bad enough and we do that year on year: And it takes all year!

Lets be honest if all the plans were not in fully place a few months back it was never going to happen.
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Location: I am all for the ME Ex being down south.... we already have an excellent show in the midlands in October.

Jo

[alanstepney]

The ME exhibition used to be held at Hortcultural Hall, towards the end of the school summer holidays.

Since then it has moved around in both location and date.
The "between Christmas and New Year" time isnt bad as many people are on holiday, plus those who travel over and stay in London for a few days can do the Boat Show at the same time. It is worth remembering that the ME exhibition has always attracted many foreign visitors, and for them, London, within easy reach of an udnerground station, is the ideal location.

Whilst it had its critics, I reckon that the "Olympia" era was the best as it covered other types of model and therefore may have attracted more to OUR hobby as well as giving other family members things to look at that appealed to them.

Let's just hope that they get it going again, and when they do, I hope it gets plenty of support.

[Tony K]

However, I still argue the point that the "Model Engineer Exhibition" should be held centrally. This is, after all, the only exhibition where we can see the DoE, Maskeleyne Cup, etc trophy winners

OK then Waggy, I agree. I am not sure about DoE though - if it means what I think it does I cannot imagine they have anything to offer me which will enrich my life further.
Alan stepney makes some very good points though.
Reckon it's about time we heard from good old T_V, especially as he had travel problems at Leamington Spa. ;D Will Phil Sutton be able to get his truck load of beer into Olympia?
Tel, who must be finding this pretty boring, suggests time not spent in the workshop is time wasted - well, does time spent at exhibitions fall into this category?
Regards, Tony.

[greasemonkey]

Hi All
I remeber when the ME show was held in jte Wembley Confrence Centre and used to fill it. That was the best time unfoirtunatley the radio control side took over and killed of the Model Engineering side. At the same time the EIM show was at Aston Uni. I am not supprised there is a lack of trade support if you think about people like Polly who would do Sandown at the end of December and then Ally PAlly two weeks later its not much of a holiday is it. Dont forget fro the traders its not just three days add a day for travelling a day for getting ready and then a day to clear up when you get back home and its the best part of a week only to do it all again a week later.
March woould be the best time in my opinion, just before the season starts, prefferably in the south as the midlands and north have got a show each but it shuold have easy parking. Picketts Lock was quite god.

Andy

[waggy]

Tonytrans,

DoE meaning Duke of Edinburgh! Always nice to see the winner.

Districtgrandmaster asks the question, "what would happen to the top awards" if the exhibition ceased to be? I don't see why the competition can't be stretched a little to take in the prize winners at Harrogate and Midlands. Both exhibitions are, after all, major events equal in size to the London job. The duke himself travels around a fair bit, why not his award?

Waggy.

[GeorgeRay]

I seem to remember aroound 50 yeras ago attending the ME exhibition at Central Hall Westminster and that was around Easter which is quite a good time I would have thought. I'm not sure whether there is enough space though. Although with the number of true trade stands decreasing perhaps there would be.