I used to work at a model shop in 2003/4 when the NEC one was on, we were importing helicopters and had a stand there. The trouble is because it was the NEC it was hugely expensive, the model industry isn't like others and the costs were just too high.
Also people expected to be able to get deals by being there like when you go to any show at the NEC but the first year it wasn't really shops it was manufacturers showing stuff but some of it wasn't even for sale, because of that the 2nd year was a bit flat and it stopped after that.
If it could be done in a smaller venue that wasn't so expensive per metre for your stand and maybe people could get deals it would probably appeal to more and take off.
There were helicopters, planes, boats, Touring car races, there were even tanks there which drove around on the first day, they were big kits, about 20 stone one guy said his weighed but the NEC Health and Safety people told them they couldn't drive them around or crush small plastic kits which they'd made up for that purpose because it was a hazard and could hurt people so I think some of them went home after the first day.
That's not what is needed but I'm sure if everyone who does modelling got together it could happen again, a nice mix of cars and flying things with some scale thrown in and maybe even trains would surely generate enough interest and maybe people who hadn't seen some area's of the hobby would be interested to see what else can be done ??? I would like to see a dedicated model show in the UK once a year.
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