Hi Joe,
My congrats also go to Gazza for his excellent pictorial coverage of the December Show!
From an 'Exhibitor's Point of View' it was one of the best in several years PLUS the best-attended that I've taken part in of the last few Decembers.
In some folks eyes it may not be the ideal venue BUT if they knew how hard it is to find that kind of space...at that time of year in London ...and at a reasonable price to both Organizer and Exhibitor...Then it's nothing short of a miracle!
Having been closely involved in both running Toy Soldier shows and organising collector events all around the globe for many years I can readily say that the people at Guideline Publications produced a GREAT SHOW and I'm already looking forward to next year's December Show.
Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy and the K&C Team.
Dear collectors,
I was at the show last Saturday and I have to admit it was one of the best shows that I have been. I used to live in Greece and all those years I paid a lot of money to travel to London two times per year (not three to avoid a divorce), so now that I live in London I really don't care about the venue. From this last experience I want to make some comments:
1. There were three big halls and a lobby. At the really spacious lobby were the tables of SAIMEX, King & Country and Irish Toy Soldier Museum. There was plenty of room for everyone and it was easy to move from one hall to the other. No stairs and three four doors like the B.D.C. venue. In fact I think the previous venue was unfair for the vendors on the upper floor which looked more like a corridor that a hall. Royal National was the best, but now gone.
2. There were new vendors like Dorset ( a comeback under new owners), Replica Metal Soldiers (there is a bright future here, remember me) and another gentleman who will launch metal figures from the Trojan War.
3. I saw many nice figures like the new K & C, the upcoming T. Gunn Napoleonic Russians and the Germans hiding behind the Kubelwagen , the Team Miniature figures (very nicely painted Indians; the real thing is 10 times better than the photos I saw earlier) etc.
4. I had asked some vendors to bring me some figures at the show. I didn't want to sent them by post, not to save the 2.95 GBP, but for the joy to get them form their hands and chat with them about our collections etc
5. Many vendors brought a lot of stuff with them and there were opportunities for good bargains. I am making a special mention to Mr Neilson who brought with him three really impressive K & C dioramas.
So what shall we say to him and the other vendors? Don't come again or don't pay the postage costs to bring your stuff because we do not like the venue (... and we will not come again). The question is: do we want a show? if yes, then we must stop criticizing Guideline for the venue.
That's all for now.
All the best and Merry Christmas. I have made some arrangements with Santa.
