I just wish...

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Discussion

V8mate

Original Poster:

45,899 posts

191 months

Thursday 5th January 2012
quotequote all
that there was more for less.

I know, I'm a miserable moaner, but the Autosport show is exactly what I'm looking for: the track car is off the road for the winter, so here's an opportunity to chat to lots of suppliers and buy lots of new toys for it before we get back out there at Easter.

But the tickets are pure extortion and, it now transpires, that not all suppliers stick around for the public days.

One supplier from whom I receive regular emails sent one through yesterday with details of their stand at the show and 'make sure you come and see us'. Their kit isn't cheap, but it looks good and I would have been keen to see how it felt 'up close and personal' before committing a lump of cash.
Their email, oddly, only referrd to the 12th and 13th though, so I replied asking if they would be there over the weekend. Instant response: no, they're only going for the trade days.

So, it's a really expensive event to which some suppliers aren't even interested in meeting their non-trade customers.

Shame frown

psgcarey

611 posts

164 months

Thursday 5th January 2012
quotequote all
They will be exhibiting in the engineering section, which is only there for the trade days. If they wanted to stay for the public days they'd have to break down the stand and re-build it somewhere else on the Friday evening, and send out two different stand numbers etc...

Also, alot of the trade visitors only visit the engineering hall, so they would risk missing out on potential customers if they were elsewhere

V8mate

Original Poster:

45,899 posts

191 months

Thursday 5th January 2012
quotequote all
psgcarey said:
They will be exhibiting in the engineering section, which is only there for the trade days. If they wanted to stay for the public days they'd have to break down the stand and re-build it somewhere else on the Friday evening, and send out two different stand numbers etc...

Also, alot of the trade visitors only visit the engineering hall, so they would risk missing out on potential customers if they were elsewhere
Everything you say makes sense.

But doesn't make the event any more valuable for the amateur motorsportist smile

JamesHayward

655 posts

166 months

Thursday 5th January 2012
quotequote all
You are right, it doesn't but thats what the Trade & Technical part of the show is all about. T&T is open all four days.

psgcarey

611 posts

164 months

Thursday 5th January 2012
quotequote all
Maybe it's cost related then. If you think the ticket prices are steep try exhibiting.

V8mate

Original Poster:

45,899 posts

191 months

Thursday 5th January 2012
quotequote all
JamesHayward said:
You are right, it doesn't but thats what the Trade & Technical part of the show is all about. T&T is open all four days.
Open for four days but (some percentage) of the exhibitors pack up and leave before the public arrive?

kimi1

51 posts

226 months

Thursday 5th January 2012
quotequote all
i do agree with what you are saying,its a shame that more and more only do trade days.

however i can also see it from the other side too, as the company i work for always
had a stand up until a couple of years ago,
the cost to exhibit is really scary!
we now find it more cost effective for companies we supply to show

psgcarey

611 posts

164 months

Thursday 5th January 2012
quotequote all
V8mate said:
Open for four days but (some percentage) of the exhibitors pack up and leave before the public arrive?
Alot of those companies will also not be direct selling to the public but through distributors, and they will be there to meet their distributors only, who will be there on the trade days.

V8mate

Original Poster:

45,899 posts

191 months

Thursday 5th January 2012
quotequote all
You may be right - but that's not the case in the example cited in the OP.

I must admit - it's the admission price I find absolutely offensive.

The fact that some companies won't even stick around until the public can get in just rubs salt into the wounds. Where I have been involved in b2b fairs in the past, and there's a public day at the end, it has been a condition of exhibiting that you stay for the public day. This is two fingers to the amateurs but for all the money.

For one ticket to this show a whole family can get into the Geneva Motor Show and get a coffee once they're in there too!

Edited by V8mate on Thursday 5th January 21:38

psgcarey

611 posts

164 months

Thursday 5th January 2012
quotequote all
Ticket prices are too high, I agree, but if they dropped the price too far it would turn in to a giant game of sardines

flattotheboards

6,683 posts

208 months

Friday 13th January 2012
quotequote all
V8mate said:
For one ticket to this show a whole family can get into the Geneva Motor Show and get a coffee once they're in there too!
Seriously? eek I thought that the show was expensive last year for what it was, but I didn't realise the above. Hmmm cheap flights and hotel in Geneva..

XB70

2,483 posts

198 months

Friday 13th January 2012
quotequote all
flattotheboards said:
Seriously? eek I thought that the show was expensive last year for what it was, but I didn't realise the above. Hmmm cheap flights and hotel in Geneva..
No hotel needed. We did an early morning flight out of London City, spent the day at the show, saw everything (thanks to Mercedes Benz for the water!!!) and back that night. £14 for some chips and chicken nugggets broke my heart but otherwise was brilliant - saw a lot of UK blokes pulling M&S meals out of the backpacks so will remember that this year.

red_duke

800 posts

183 months

Saturday 14th January 2012
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Anyone know the ticket price on the day? I imagine it's even more than the £30 advanced price. I'm staying away this year as the organisers must think they're recession proof.

rob.e

2,861 posts

280 months

Saturday 14th January 2012
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Just got home... On the door price was £32.


Rich_W

12,548 posts

214 months

Saturday 14th January 2012
quotequote all
I haven't been for a few years now (08 maybe)

Is it still the case that traders aren't doing any sort of sale/special offers? I get that it's expensive to exhibit, but surely moving some stock is better than taking it all home again?

And are the promo girls on the whole still below average frown