Thread: Canberra W.W.W. Show

Neil,

A very insightful and appreciated post. I never doubted that massive amounts of work, time, and money was involved in getting to a show - no matter if you are a one man stand or a stand with a dozen+ staff on board. Your post however emphasised that fact.

I'm in no way a business owner, so I'm pretty naive on this front! But, U-Beaut is definately on the right track. Events such as the shows, and especially these forums cost time and money. A positive dollar value may not be returned from these items, but as you know, good will is most definately returned. Good will in return must surely bring in income. Along with being absolutely superb products, many people would buy products from you at the show as a token 'thank you' for the effort you put in.

I think that flows over to the other exhibitors. For example McJing - I try and purchase off them whenever I can, and other exhibiting vendors. I always check out the Carbatec website and usually forget abour H&F because they do not have a presence at the shows.

In Sydney I'm not too fussed over the entry fee, the catering is actually pretty good and resonably priced compared to similiar shows and events (someone try lining up for 40 minutes for the worst sandwich in the world at the ABC Garden Show!!!), the parking location is acceptable (however the price is a bit high - not related to anyone to do with the show though), and there are two big halls plus an outdoor exhibition area. I'm impressed with what EEE have achieved.

If there were some bad impressions with the previous management from either vendors or customers, then it definately won't be resolved within 1 or even 2 shows. But it will progress and will likely happen (as someone loosely involved with the turn around of Coles, trust me it won't happen easily or quickly). Remember if patrons have been burnt previously, then vendors will have too - when commercials are involved it will take time to fix.

Let's face it, woodwork is not a massive mainstream hobby within an already small population. Let's just appreciate the show and get behind it. Compared to other hobbies such as home brewers or cyclists, - we have a damn good show!

This is a ramble, but is my 2 cents worth.

Nathan.

Originally Posted by I_wanna_Shed

Neil,

A very insightful and appreciated post. I never doubted that massive amounts of work, time, and money was involved in getting to a show - no matter if you are a one man stand or a stand with a dozen+ staff on board. Your post however emphasised that fact.

I'm in no way a business owner, so I'm pretty naive on this front! But, U-Beaut is definately on the right track. Events such as the shows, and especially these forums cost time and money. A positive dollar value may not be returned from these items, but as you know, good will is most definately returned. Good will in return must surely bring in income. Along with being absolutely superb products, many people would buy products from you at the show as a token 'thank you' for the effort you put in.

I think that flows over to the other exhibitors. For example McJing - I try and purchase off them whenever I can, and other exhibiting vendors. I always check out the Carbatec website and usually forget abour H&F because they do not have a presence at the shows.

In Sydney I'm not too fussed over the entry fee, the catering is actually pretty good and resonably priced compared to similiar shows and events (someone try lining up for 40 minutes for the worst sandwich in the world at the ABC Garden Show!!!), the parking location is acceptable (however the price is a bit high - not related to anyone to do with the show though), and there are two big halls plus an outdoor exhibition area. I'm impressed with what EEE have achieved.

If there were some bad impressions with the previous management from either vendors or customers, then it definately won't be resolved within 1 or even 2 shows. But it will progress and will likely happen (as someone loosely involved with the turn around of Coles, trust me it won't happen easily or quickly). Remember if patrons have been burnt previously, then vendors will have too - when commercials are involved it will take time to fix.

Let's face it, woodwork is not a massive mainstream hobby within an already small population. Let's just appreciate the show and get behind it. Compared to other hobbies such as home brewers or cyclists, - we have a damn good show!

This is a ramble, but is my 2 cents worth.

Nathan.

Not sure i agree with you that the parking location is acceptable,and it is more than a bit high.I reckon it would put alot of people off going to the show.There has got to be a better and more affordable venue than Fox studio's.Better for the punters and more affordable for the organisers(which then might bring the floor space price down)

Originally Posted by Morbius

I was surprised to see from UBeaut's post that the Melbourne show was the one to go to, rather than the Sydney one. That really surprised me. I guess it makes sense once you think about it, but it had never crossed my mind.

It's a pity I can't get the the Melbourne one this year.

Craig

If you are interested, have a look at the stack of photos I posted last year in the Melbourne T&WWWS thread.

Originally Posted by MAPLEMAN

Not sure i agree with you that the parking location is acceptable,and it is more than a bit high.I reckon it would put alot of people off going to the show.There has got to be a better and more affordable venue than Fox studio's.Better for the punters and more affordable for the organisers(which then might bring the floor space price down)

Not having a go, but what do you not like about the parking location? Its close enough, vacant spaces, easy to get in and out of. The pricing is high - of course. But not too different from the CBD just a few km up the road. Of course cheaper parking would be better (skipping the 15 bucks for parking would equal getting the admission price for free!).

I guess I just see paying stupid amounts of money for parking in Sydney as 'normal' nowadays

Venues have been spoken about heaps on here. Rosehill racecourse, Panthers, Darling Harbour. I feel if it moved to another venue there would still be pro's and con's.

Originally Posted by Morbius

I was surprised to see from UBeaut's post that the Melbourne show was the one to go to, rather than the Sydney one. That really surprised me. I guess it makes sense once you think about it, but it had never crossed my mind.

It's a pity I can't get the the Melbourne one this year.

Craig

If you put a circle around each show this is generally where the woodies travel from.

Brisbanites about 6hrs
Sydneyites about 3hrs
Canberra 3hrs
Adelaide 2hrs
Melbourne 6hrs

Originally Posted by I_wanna_Shed

Not having a go, but what do you not like about the parking location? Its close enough, vacant spaces, easy to get in and out of. The pricing is high - of course. But not too different from the CBD just a few km up the road. Of course cheaper parking would be better (skipping the 15 bucks for parking would equal getting the admission price for free!).

I guess I just see paying stupid amounts of money for parking in Sydney as 'normal' nowadays

Venues have been spoken about heaps on here. Rosehill racecourse, Panthers, Darling Harbour. I feel if it moved to another venue there would still be pro's and con's.

At the end of the day,after you have paid entry fee,purchased food,fuel for car,parking costs,turns out to be an expensive day.O.K. if you are retired with plenty of money,but the reality is,most folk nowadays have to guard their money with due diligance.Yes,the shows are iconic,but they have to be made more affordable for the average punter,and for the exhibitor.Getting rid of the entry fee would be a start,as the notion of having to pay to go shopping,does seem a tad absurd.People like value for money,if they don't get it,they feel ripped off,so when you have to pay $5 for a pie or $5 for a can of softdrink,the alarm bells ring.Yep,sydney is expensive all right!

You are all complaining about costs.

As Neil has indicated your costs are minimal for what it costs to put on a show. We all wish it was cheaper but reality is it will never get cheaper when all our labour force want a fair wage for a fair days work, nobody here works for a bowl of rice.

EEE have no control over prices as I am sure they work their hardest to get a good deal from all the venues and we work hard at trying to get a good deal out of them.

Have you been to the home show or the car shows, thay are no different all make for an expensive day out or did you see the costs for going to support your favourite footy team, take the wife and kids along and you have got rid of $100.00 before you get in the gate. The last concert we went to cost us $90.00 per ticket, that was our choice but we still went because we wanted to.

Nothing is going to get cheaper grin and bear it or find a new hobbie in marbles.

At the end of the day if you and your mates decide it is not worth going to the show then eventually they will die a slow death.

Let the exhibitors that are not at the show know that you want them there, keep presuring them and they may come back.

You can avoid the entry costs by volunteering for a shift on the forum stand - it's the next best thing to sneaking in

Jim yes prices are going up, why though unions aren't pushing, striking for higher wages as they used to, penalty rates are all but dead. Its greed at the top, it super investor CEO's walking away with the $$$$$.

As has been pointed out retired self funded or otherwise, this is a hobby time you realised this and spending like there is no tomorrow on an item you'll never get return on just doesn't fit the wallet. We all want fairer prices, better deals, many of us have to look and dream we don't have the endless pit of $$$.

I applaud those who are creating the shed nest egg now while still working but be warned when in 20 years you want to retire as Jim says its not going to be cheap to replace those out of date tools.

Originally Posted by Groggy

You can avoid the entry costs by volunteering for a shift on the forum stand - it's the next best thing to sneaking in

And in Melbourne parking right next to the show ( with a small shuttle courtesy bus as well) was only $ 5.00 a day.

Then EEE throw in free coffee at the forum stand as well, this together with the forum discount and the numerous demonstrations by experts on a number of subjects and still complaints about the costs.

Whilst I like to see more vendors and larger comparison ranges we seem to overlook the great benefits of the demo's which is the main reason I will be going every day.


Peter.

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

You are all complaining about costs.

As Neil has indicated your costs are minimal for what it costs to put on a show. We all wish it was cheaper but reality is it will never get cheaper when all our labour force want a fair wage for a fair days work, nobody here works for a bowl of rice.

EEE have no control over prices as I am sure they work their hardest to get a good deal from all the venues and we work hard at trying to get a good deal out of them.

Have you been to the home show or the car shows, thay are no different all make for an expensive day out or did you see the costs for going to support your favourite footy team, take the wife and kids along and you have got rid of $100.00 before you get in the gate. The last concert we went to cost us $90.00 per ticket, that was our choice but we still went because we wanted to.

Nothing is going to get cheaper grin and bear it or find a new hobbie in marbles.

At the end of the day if you and your mates decide it is not worth going to the show then eventually they will die a slow death.

Let the exhibitors that are not at the show know that you want them there, keep presuring them and they may come back.

Yep,people are complaining about costs,as for them being minimal.As for finding a new hobby in marbles

Originally Posted by MAPLEMAN

Getting rid of the entry fee would be a start,as the notion of having to pay to go shopping,does seem a tad absurd. Tell Costco that. The place is always packed.

People like value for money,if they don't get it,they feel ripped off,so when you have to pay $5 for a pie or $5 for a can of softdrink,the alarm bells ring.Yep,sydney is expensive all right!

I am employed at the shows and have my meals paid for but generally I (and many of the vendors)take our own because it is another cost but we get to have edible food and don't have to queue.

As for value. As Peter said about the demonstrations. If you had the demonstrators come to your club I bet you would pay more than $15.00.

Some of you blokes just don't get itYou ask everyone on this forum to impart their opinions as to how the working with wood shows could be improved,and when someone says anything,you all go into denial. No you's are right,there is nothing wrong with the dynamics of the wood shows,forgive me for expressing an opinion,it wont happen again!

By the way Mapleman are you complaining about parking and entry fee as a visitor coming to both the Sydney and Canberra shows or as an actual ( or potential) exhibitor /seller of your timbers.

Please clarify as I'm confused.


Peter.