Shooting Show 2014

[whoowhoop]

Ah!
This is sooooo romantic.....

[The Gun Pimp]

I don't blame anyone who had a less than pleasant experience last year from not attending - that's human nature, that's what we do.

But, we have got to ask the question - Do we want a UK Shooting Show?

I would love to have the US Shot Show or even the German IWA Show over here but, good as they are, they are 'trade only' and believe me, the crowds and catering at the Shot Show were worse than Stoneleigh.

Our UK Show organiser is doing his very best - we outgrew the Newark venue so he move - to what should have been THE Show venue in the UK. Again, like Newark, it was a 'victim of its own success' and attendance (not helped by a severe weather warning for hte Sunday) exceeded expectations.

I would say - if you don't want a UK shooting show then don't support it but, if you think UK shooters deserve a good show, then please, don't let the comments of those who don't want a show anyway put you off.

For 2014, there will be an extra day - Friday. If you can take a day off work, the attendance will undoubtedly be lighter. There will be an extra entrance and better traffic and parking arrangements. Maybe give it one more chance? Don't forget, this is a two-way thing - most exhibitors will be out of pocket - what with hotel accommodation, van hire, stand hire, loss of trade from own shop etc.

[Tomo]

I'd readily go again if the organizers did one simple thing. Worked out the capacity of the venue the event is being held at then sell a set number of tickets for each day of the event based on that capacity I.e if the venue can hold 3000 people then sell up to 3000 tickets for each day (maybe discount Friday to get more people interested on that day). That way you'll hopefully avoid the ridiculous (dangerous!) scenes from this years event.

[HALODIN]

Yes I'll probably go next year. Whilst last year's entrance was horrible, there's no reason to suspect they won't learn from their mistake.

[Tomo]

Yes I'll probably go next year. Whilst last year's entrance was horrible, there's no reason to suspect they won't learn from their mistake.

If they don't regulate the sale of tickets then there's nothing to stop the fiasco from this years show from happening again?!

If they sell 5000 tickets for the event and 4999 of us all decide to go on the Saturday then we'll be in the same position we were in this year!?

[paxtond]

I enjoyed it last year, yes it was very busy and you had to wait to see anything but I thought the day was good and picked up some ammo bargains, not much saving to be had on the guns but still worth a trip.

Will he going again next year for sure

[HALODIN]

You could say this about any event and yet so long as overflow provisions are made, it should be OK. Had they let the traffic filter in from all entrances, yes it would have been busy in the halls, but it would have been OK. The problem was parking in the venue, lots of open space, but they wouldn't let you in to park.

You have to have a bit of faith.

If they don't regulate the sale of tickets then there's nothing to stop the fiasco from this years show from happening again?!

If they sell 5000 tickets for the event and 4999 of us all decide to go on the Saturday then we'll be in the same position we were in this year!?

[Tomo]

I had a different experience in that I got there for when the doors opened, had no problem with traffic queues into the venue itself or in parking up, in fact we drove straight up to within a few hundred feet of the entrance. The first hour was okay, busy but you could at least stop and check out a stall or have a quick chat to a vender. By lunch time though it was manic, people were 5 or 6 deep at some of the reloading stalls, there was barely enough room to walk up and down the aisles let alone stop and look at something! We'd had enough by 1-2pm and left - as we drove out we couldn't believe the number of cars parked up (or where some of these cars were being parked!!).

I honestly hope next years event is a massive success, but I won't be going until they organize the numbers of people who want to visit more effectively.

[Chapuis]

Yes I'll probably go next year. Whilst last year's entrance was horrible, there's no reason to suspect they won't learn from their mistake.

If they don't regulate the sale of tickets then there's nothing to stop the fiasco from this years show from happening again?!

If they sell 5000 tickets for the event and 4999 of us all decide to go on the Saturday then we'll be in the same position we were in this year!?

Interesting that you should those numbers as an example (Licensing Act 2003). In any case there will be a legal requirement under various other legislation to monitor and control the numbers present in the building at any time, something that was clearly not done this year.

Gun Pimp - I appreciate what you say about supporting events but would point out that Jagd & Hund in Dortmund for one is not restricted to trade only.

[HALODIN]

I know where you're coming from, but for me it was even worse as I didn't get in until midday, having parked on a verge a mile away even when I had preferential parking with an early booking. Still it was interesting and if they just got rid of the airsoft side of things or spread the first 2 halls over all 5 then it would have evened things out. I'm prepared to give it another go, but if it's a mess next year, I won't go again.

I had a different experience in that I got there for when the doors opened, had no problem with traffic queues into the venue itself or in parking up, in fact we drove straight up to within a few hundred feet of the entrance. The first hour was okay, busy but you could at least stop and check out a stall or have a quick chat to a vender. By lunch time though it was manic, people were 5 or 6 deep at some of the reloading stalls, there was barely enough room to walk up and down the aisles let alone stop and look at something! We'd had enough by 1-2pm and left - as we drove out we couldn't believe the number of cars parked up (or where some of these cars were being parked!!).

I honestly hope next years event is a massive success, but I won't be going until they organize the numbers of people who want to visit more effectively.