Scoons Exhibitions

[Alan Pollock]

Hi Guys


I've managed to catch up on this thread and read every post now in regards to sales at show of membership and kit is that really nessery other than to save cash on postage for the purchaser plus like already mentioned a lockable cash box is required then brings a issue of change and who takes the responsibility for it id much rather be directing people to website and online shop much more secure now than ever although this is just my opinion.

in regards to a display can someone advice me on what the normal size of displays are or what space the society has before my head goes willed i'm thinking a layout of a good size might be the way forward but that might be away above my budget and more to the point i don't drive so transporting anything bigger than a locomotive and rolling stock is a major issue

thanks
Alan     

[Graeme Dunbar]

Thanks for taking the trouble to wade through all the back posts Alan!

Let's knock the selling of kits on the head.

There are no plans to sell kits.

I mentioned the possibility of displaying 009 society kits on a ScOONs stand for the purposes of showing what the Society produces and I now own at least a couple of every one currently sold. Some might be made up, some might be fully finished and operating on a layout and some might still be in their bags. That is my intention for the Aberdeen show at least.

It was others that suggested selling kits and that led to a long discussion of the pitfalls. There are good reasons not to sell kits on the stand:

• being regarded as a trader and losing free stand status
• being seen as competition by traders and generating bad feelings
• handling cash, especially under current conditions
• keeping track of cash over the duration of an exhibition
• acquiring, holding and restocking stock, funding, reimbursement and so on

[Alan Pollock]

Thanks for taking the trouble to wade through all the back posts Alan!

Let's knock the selling of kits on the head.

There are no plans to sell kits.

I mentioned the possibility of displaying 009 society kits on a ScOONs stand for the purposes of showing what the Society produces and I now own at least a couple of every one currently sold. Some might be made up, some might be fully finished and operating on a layout and some might still be in their bags. That is my intention for the Aberdeen show at least.

It was others that suggested selling kits and that led to a long discussion of the pitfalls. There are good reasons not to sell kits on the stand:

• being regarded as a trader and losing free stand status
• being seen as competition by traders and generating bad feelings
• handling cash, especially under current conditions
• keeping track of cash over the duration of an exhibition
• acquiring, holding and restocking stock, funding, reimbursement and so on

Hi Graeme

I have similar feeling in regards to demonstrations especially if it doing the same as another demonstration as it tends to be a similar process although doing something in 009 is better than nothing I'm at a loss of what I can offer without going over what's already been said so hopefully I'll can manage the zoom meeting on Monday

Thanks
Alan

[Brian Elder]

I can do whole day at events Model Rail, probably Perth and central belt locations, one day only though due to ongoing work commitments. Be available to help set up etc, whatever is required.
I do have my Nam'68 layout, that will be ready by October this year, to be used if needed at events or exhibitions coming up within next year.
Will keep an eye out for upcoming events and help needed.

[John Galbraith]

Brian,

Many thanks

Regards
John G

[Graeme Dunbar]

I have placed an order for two banners and should receive them next week. There is one headed 009 Society that is a variation on one of the existing banners but with Ted Polet's magnificent layout headlining it to give a Scottish flavour and one headed ScOONs showing layouts built and/or residing in Scotland.

They will receive their first outing at the Aberdeen MRC exhibition at the end of the month.  I'll see if I can post the artwork or a photo of the actual banners when they arrive. Here's hoping there are no hitches in the production.

[Alan Pollock]

I have placed an order for two banners and should receive them next week. There is one headed 009 Society that is a variation on one of the existing banners but with Ted Polet's magnificent layout headlining it to give a Scottish flavour and one headed ScOONs showing layouts built and/or residing in Scotland.

They will receive their first outing at the Aberdeen MRC exhibition at the end of the month.  I'll see if I can post the artwork or a photo of the actual banners when they arrive. Here's hoping there are no hitches in the production.

Hi Graeme

hopefully youll have it at the next zoom meeting

thanks
Alan

[Alan Pollock]

Hi Guys,

I was just looking back over the fourm and came across this topic and it got me thinking about the 2 shows that I have helped out in one was Glasgow and the other the paisley show in my own thoughts both these shows where a success in terms of plenty of helpers with the stand and plenty of interested members of the public however after reading this topic again I'd be very happy to help out in both Glasgow and Paisley every year if the society is to get the invite to them and if there's any other that is easily to travel to by public transport I'd be happy to help out at

Thanks
Alan

P.s i know this topic was over a year ago I didn't want to start another topic on the same subject and felt this was the best place to put this comment

[Hugh Ransom]

I too have enjoyed the exhibitions I have attended with Scoons - and also feel the stall was well organised and managed.  Also, please take this as interest in helping out at future shows; especially Aberdeen, but also further a field (with enough warning to get it booked in the family diary...).  Hope you've all had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to the new year; apologies for missing the last few calls of 2022 - things always become a little hectic at the end of the year.  H

[John Galbraith]

Like everyone has said so far I too have really enjoyed the exhibitions I have attended and I also think as a group we should be very pleased with what we have offered so far to these exhibitions. As far as future exhibitions are concerned I would be happy to commit to attending Aberdeen and Perth for the whole weekend every year (providing we get invited back) and also some time at Glasgow. I would also be happy to consider the likes of Dundee or Elgin.

[Graeme Dunbar]

There are some good posts here. It is interesting to hear people's thoughts. There seems to be a consensus developing that members feel comfortable supporting and perhaps even instigating 009 Society/ScOONs stands in and around their local area. This makes sense in that if the lion's share of organizing does end up falling on them they are not also faced with long and tiring journeys to and from an exhibition and need to be there from first set-up to last take-down of the stand.

I'd consider my 'patch' or 'comfort zone' to be similar to John's. I used to exhibit every year when I headed up the Aberdeen branch of MERG and with a friend from MERG who stays in Cupar and together we covered exhibitions from St Andrews to Aberdeen and I think we did Elgin too. (He was able to combine model railway exhibitions with 'grandparent duties' with children in both Aberdeen and the Elgin area which helped.)

I might be tempted to try Inverness too. I've only been to a few shows there and several years ago. I think they used to be in September which was always a busy time for me, but now I think they are in August, but being retired now the date is less important. We do have a 'cluster' (well a handful or so) of members in that area and I've met some interesting people at the Inverness show - a modeller from Skye and the 'famous' (sadly departed) micro layout enthusiast Jack 'Shortliner' Trollope whose work appeared regularly on Carl Arendt's web site.

[John Galbraith]

Graeme, agree Inverness would certainly be worth considering. I have only exhibited once there in 2015 and although quite a small exhibition it had a great atmosphere. The other plus is the time of year, normally around the 20th August so still good weather and light nights for driving up there and falls in have way time wise between the Perth and Aberdeen shows.

[Alan Pollock]

Graeme, agree Inverness would certainly be worth considering. I have only exhibited once there in 2015 and although quite a small exhibition it had a great atmosphere. The other plus is the time of year, normally around the 20th August so still good weather and light nights for driving up there and falls in have way time wise between the Perth and Aberdeen shows.

Hi Guy's

I'd really love to do Inverness but would need to be an overnight stay for me and unless someone can put me in touch with a very cheap hotel or hostel and I mean like £20 for the weekend then I can't see myself being able to do it sorry

Thanks
Alan