Thread: The Future of the Wood Show

Hello All,
I have been to all the Sydney wood shows and this year's at the new venue was the best so far. While I am sure the Organisers would welcome
more exhibitors, I think that the present financial circumstances has had some bearing. To have all under one roof in comfortable surrounds with good
transport to and from was a leap in the right direction. In fact I went on (2) days and really enjoyed myself and the company of other club woodies.
My only small comment on arrangements is that the exhibition area should have been given more prominence to display and sell their wares, rather than
being restricted to the back of the bulding. But overall 8/10. Drillit.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

I used to enjoy the woodworking show when it was at the Exhibition Buildings in Carlton. There were always plenty of exhibits to watch that I wouldn't normally see and there were usually special deals (not that I'm a cheapskate) which were great sweeteners.

I'm with John G; if all the show is offering is the same as on-line shopping, then I'm more likely to shop on-line. The only thing that piqued my interest at the show was a new 300mm double-action clamp from Bahco. I enquired of the vendor if they were available in longer lengths and was told they were, but none had been brought to the show because…

I asked what the delivery cost on twenty long clamps would be from Sydney to Melbourne (thinking the delivery cost might be waived considering the quantity and the fact it was 'the show' and I felt the salesman and myself had struck a chord). "We'd have to check the shipping when we get back to Sydney" was the response. I found a better deal on-line when I got home.

The last few times I have attended the show were really just to support Neil and Jim; to say hello to them and to Groggy, who does a sterling job; and to support the forum in general. The show is virtually the exclusivity of the forum: Nobody else seems to be aware of its existence.

If I do attend another woodworking show, I would want to see a myriad of things that I can't normally see on a daily basis. I want to be entertained and enthralled. How about a country show type of event in a country setting where you could sit down on the grass or bales of straw at your leisure and soak up the smells and sights?

Perhaps there could be some interesting timber industry exhibits; an old style bullocky and team; a display of those dangerous looking vintage saws; interactive traditional fencing, green woodworking and pole turning (come away with your own three legged stool); a full array of modern portable saw mills (with timber sales as the sawing progresses); competitions from furniture making to turning (no pens though!); mortice and tennon races; hand saw races; even terrier racing (I'd rather watch terriers tearing up the lawn – and each other – than see multiple diamond-toothed vendors with personal mics marketing useless aluminium vices and kitchen knife sharpeners!); and children. What's the future of woodworking if the young aren't involved and encouraged? Schools should be invited to display their students' work and not just send a disinterested class of untidy youths along who are on a free period.

The retail stands should be the side shows and not the main event and they'd seriously need to enter into the spirit of the event or just stay away! The show needs to focus on being visitor oriented again and stop being a half-hearted opportunity for (largely) lacklustre vendors.

The Maleny woodshow has exhibits and many of the activities you have mentioned...and all this in a country setting...without the hustle and bustle...a real family oriented show...incidently,the food there is great also...maybe something can be learnt from their model..they seem to have the right formula...

Originally Posted by Woodwould

Liz, nobody's disputing the time and effort you put into your shows (and it is much appreciated), but you haven't been doing it for very long in the grand scheme of things and there are plenty of people here who have seen, heard and done a lot that is worth at least listening to.


...until somebody labels a piece of it "A work of art". I think it was Robin Wood who recently aptly distinguished the difference between art and craft (and I'm paraphrasing here): Art is a visual medium while craft is primarily functional. Classifying all Crafts this way doesn't work, although I tend to agree.

Nonsense! I know one tradie who has hands like feet and isn't even capable of sharpening a pencil. I fear he's not alone. Yep thats me and I don't mind admitting I have a problem even holding a pencil. Yet like in days gone by I feel I am still learning my trade its a large area with wide avenues and lots to explore well. I will never know it all.

Then there are those who have feet like hands and turn out master pieces in many facets of Craft or Art or just glance a smile and it can change your world.

Originally Posted by MAPLEMAN

The Maleny woodshow has exhibits and many of the activities you have mentioned...and all this in a country setting...without the hustle and bustle...a real family oriented show...incidently,the food there is great also...maybe something can be learnt from their model..they seem to have the right formula...

Problem here is Copyright laws and stealing ideas.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

Liz, nobody's disputing the time and effort you put into your shows (and it is much appreciated), but you haven't been doing it for very long in the grand scheme of things and there are plenty of people here who have seen, heard and done a lot that is worth at least listening to.

I think if you were to look at Liz's CV you would find that she has been doing these shows and similar for a very long time.

I'm a little bit saddened, actually disappointed, that this thread has a misogynistic skew to it. C'mon gents let's stay on topic. I think Woodworking as a whole needs more women. Maybe would should be encouraging disciplines such as scroll sawing, pyrography and marquetry. Disciplines which were severely under represented at the show.

There was an interseting point given to me today.

When these shows were at their peak, interest rates were at their highest on record, which in turn meant super and investments were also at their highest returns.

Now the interest rates are low and so are the returns on investments.

High interest high disposable income, low interest low disposable income.

We know the large majority of our customers are semi or full time retired so living of their super etc so the spending is lower

Who wins out on this is the family man paying of a mortgage and spending the rest on the family, no time for hobbies.

When he has time {Retired} lives of a moveable income and has to make sure other bills are paid before he spends on his hobbie.

So how do we induce the ones who are still working and dont realise that there is time for hobbies after the kids have gone.

These are the answers we need now to keep everyone happy, not generate negative comments about shows going bad or the internet has killed of the shows.

Australians still are a touchy feely group and like to go to the shows and see what is available and see if yes the tool they want is going to do the job.

Sometimes they buy on the spot but a lot of the times they wait till they are ready and then purchase,

The shows are as much about selling as they are about information and you dont get that all from the internet.

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

I think if you were to look at Liz's CV you would find that she has been doing these shows and similar for a very long time.

My mistake and apologies to Liz. I stand by my argument that it usually pays to listen to and digest all feedback.

Originally Posted by Liz Falloon

Why don't the faceless cowards (yes they are) say it to our face rather than have joy in spreading negative rumours.

After reading this we are open for offers from any of you who think you can do a better job and prepared to take the financial risk just let me know!!!!!!! Sorry but this is just too much negatively in what has been an extra tough year.

I'd love to meet with you Liz, as would many other forum members. If you'd like to suggest how this can be achieved, or if you'd like to meet with me individually, please PM me. Alternatively my mobile is 0412 432 405.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Problem here is Copyright laws and stealing ideas.

Nonsense

Originally Posted by Scott

I'm a little bit saddened, actually disappointed, that this thread has a misogynistic skew to it. C'mon gents let's stay on topic. I think Woodworking as a whole needs more women. Maybe would should be encouraging disciplines such as scroll sawing, pyrography and marquetry. Disciplines which were severely under represented at the show.

What are you talking about! There has been no such inference until you brought it up!

Originally Posted by Woodwould

What are you talking about! There has been no such inference until you brought it up!

E.G: https://www.woodworkforums.com/f135/f...1/#post1569993

Originally Posted by Scott

E.G: https://www.woodworkforums.com/f135/f...1/#post1569993

Please understand what misogyny means before you misuse it and make ridiculous accusations. There's only philogyny in this camp!

Originally Posted by Woodwould

Please understand what misogyny means before you misuse it and make ridiculous accusations. There's only philogyny in this camp!

Okay, let me rephrase. Attack the role of a woman to make a point, it's unnecessary.