Thread: My Bright idea(s) to rejuvenate the T&WWWShows

No Ray, this thread is about submitting ideas about improving the shows not having a bitch about what you think are unfulfilled promises. Note the highlighted paragraph.

OK people here's your chance to stop complaining about the Timber & Working With Wood Shows and submit your ideas to the organisers for consideration.

Couple of suggestions:

• Don't run down the organisers. They are the best the shows have ever had and more than willing to listen and act on any reasonable and affordable suggestions.
• Leave your negativity outside of this thread.
• Submit any and all suggestions no matter how big or small.
• Be realistic with your suggestions.
• Just because you think a suggestion is dumb or silly doesn't mean doesn't mean it isn't a good suggestion. It may well be the suggestion on everyone's tongue something they were scared to submit.

I can't emphasise this one too much.

• Above all else be realistic.

Am I missing something, I can't see Rays message.

Ross

Originally Posted by Ross

Am I missing something, I can't see Rays message.

Ross

With you on this one Ross...i don't think Ray is capable of saying anything untoward,to anyone ...this bloke is an absolute gentleman...MM

Ross and Chris thanks

There was no malice no derogatory comments implied or otherwise if thats how they see it then I can't change that.

There was words direct from the Events group website with a link

As well as my thoughts on attending ANY show also which was "I go to the show for Inspiration and Enthusiasm with links to their meaning"

I am glad I took a screen shot prior deletion.

Back on topic for Liz and the forum sponsors who attend the show to show & sell there wares.

I'd like to see the event organizers encourage the event stand people [vendors] to ensure that they are offering good quality/quantity "event only discounts" to those of the public who attend the event; especially after a good demonstration where folk are taken by the professional presentation, the "event only discount prices" makes the purchase easy.

Years ago when the Sydney wood show was previously at Homebush the show discounts actually encouraged to part with a lot more of your hard earned than you had originally planned.

These are difficult times for everyone, especially on discretionary spending; so please lets make it a very worth our while event and have both the attendants & the vendors win....great deals and lots of them... a little profit on a lot of sales...

Can only talk about Melbourne. Enjoyed the show when it was at Jeff's Shed, except for the parkling. Went to the Showgrounds the first year and was surprised at the lack of exhibitors. Spoke to some exhibitors and they were saying the cost was prohibitive.

My suggestions are like others already posted:
Move it to a cheaper location so that more exhibitors can attend.
Keep up the demonstrations.
With the ability to buy some substantial material hold it in an area that has sufficient cheap parking.

Originally Posted by Ross

Am I missing something, I can't see Rays message.

Ross

I forgot to take it out of hiding. The first was deleted.

Originally Posted by MAPLEMAN

With you on this one Ross...i don't think Ray is capable of saying anything untoward,to anyone ...this bloke is an absolute gentleman...MM

I am not questioning that. The post was a hijack and NOT on topic the way it was worded.

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Ross and Chris thanks

There was no malice no derogatory comments implied or otherwise if thats how they see it then I can't change that.

There was words direct from the Events group website with a link

As well as my thoughts on attending ANY show also which was "I go to the show for Inspiration and Enthusiasm with links to their meaning"

I am glad I took a screen shot prior deletion.

As said above it was a hijack and not on topic for this thread. Had you worded it differently instead of it being a whinge, bitch or moan then it would still be there.

It was not deleted without a discussion by the mods who all agreed that it was off topic. i just delivered the blow.

Like I said before look at the original posting.

If we are not carefull we may not have a show at all. All we can do is, as Neil asked, help the organisers.

Ross

Some of the exhibitors don't help when they have sales the weekend or week before the show. It would mean some people would have spent their budget and would not go to the show.

But I still think the bigest problem is the cost of the venue.

Cheaper venue = cheaper stands = more exhibitors = more interest in our hobby = more people through the turn stiles = more sales.

Ross

+1

I skip lots of events because the price for admission is getting to be so much

In jerilderie the Business Chamber of Commerce put on a free bonanza for kids last year, free food, drinks, icecream, lollies, entertainment, as many free rides on the mini rail as they wanted, jumping castle, DJ, clown and other entertainment.

Yes the service groups pulled together. The chamber made money out of it even though so much free stuff was there.

Once upon a time the 'shows' were free as were the show bags. Theres got to be a way to bring down the cost.

Originally Posted by crowie

Back on topic for Liz and the forum sponsors who attend the show to show & sell there wares.

I'd like to see the event organizers encourage the event stand people [vendors] to ensure that they are offering good quality/quantity "event only discounts" to those of the public who attend the event; especially after a good demonstration where folk are taken by the professional presentation, the "event only discount prices" makes the purchase easy.

...

As a vendor the first thing we do is ask the brands for exclusive deals for the show only...unfortunately with tight economies comes tightning of the belts from suppliers on spending for branding purposes...Let me tell you for every dollar in support we ask for from a supplier we have to spend a ratio of around 10-20 times, eg we sell them space for $3000 they will want an order of approx $30,000 plus so when we have scenarios of approx $400,000 stock going to the show it does place alot of pressure on the business if we dont sell 50% of it...

last year we supported the show by doing Sydney, Canberra & Melbourne & will probably do the same this year so hopefully we get the stock mix right this year

ps: thanks to everyone that has supported us in the past shows

So to sum up
-The T&WWW shows even with brilliant management are in decline because they are a bit same/same and competition from online retailers, internet forums, cooking shows, renovator shows, shed turnouts, weekend markets and a million and one other things all competing for attention and retail dollar.
-T&WWW will keep attracting the hard-core woodies (I don't care what you say about other retail venues I have always got the best possible deal on machinery and special timber at the shows and met the best people) but it needs to also attract the woodworkers of the future (oops here come those delightful schoolkids again Phil) and it also needs to attract new customers.
-The best suggestion seems to be to bring in the craft mob, the makers, the artisans and have another show side by side with T&WWW that caters for the partners and family members who aren't that interested in machinery and sharpening workshops and dovetail demos etc... An additional hall that can showcase the best of the regional and national handmade craft art that on the one hand sells product for the producers and on the other hand inspires us all but especially newbies to get involved...take o bit of wood home and some chisels, buy a lathe...etc.
It has worked before in australia with the Australian Craft Shows and it certainly works overseas so lets see it happen here.
Good luck with it. I hope this helps. Len

yes on toy makers comments

Adelaide - want success, T&WWW show in conjunction with Royal Show held in Sept
Melbourne - Sadly may be too small to have anything in conjunction with their Show
Sydney - I don't know the show grounds but again try and be in conjunction with the easter show

If your trying a country location try and do it in conjunction with some local event, even if it has to be a different venue
I took my son and daughter to the 2011 T&WWW show in Melbourne, they lasted 2 hours and even at that they struggled. Fortunately for me they decided to let me have my day and they just went and sat around (both in late teens)

In my opinion:

* The show needs to be readily accessible to those who wish to buy larger items, thus adequate and cheap car parking facilities is needed. Parking costs can be substantial and discouraging to those on fixed incomes.

* Easy disabled access and parking with wide isles between stands so that that segment of the community can enjoy the shows as well.

* A competition, with suitable sponsor's prizes, for work done during that year by non professional woodworkers as has been in the past. That used to be very successful and fantastic work was displayed.

* As the forums have grown with many varied disciplines but still in woodworking so the show should try to cater to mare disciplines then there is now. Maybe interested dedicated woodworkers could be invited to do demos during the show. eg for Sydney say AlexS, Wongo and NZCarver and Melbourne say LGS for box making and finishing and toy makers etc. This area could be explored more and will provide lots of interest.

Peter.