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THANKS TO ALL THE TANGO CHAPS AND CHAPESS

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Andy Coates:
They did happen...and they are related to the new (now two seminars old) style of the Bazzar slot.

There used to be a slot with things like photography, chain sawing etc., but these were dropped due to lack of interest by delegates. In their place slots were brought in where the trade could introduce new tools which was initially successful but then it was found difficult to convince them to take part and it had the disadvantage that even if they were keen we only had 6 slots, and more traders, so it was difficult to make it fair.

The traders started complaining that something had to be done to help them as they helped us a lot providing lathes, raffle prizes etc., and in return they only had tea breaks and lunch times to try and sell so the present trade slot was introduced in the last two seminars. This has the advantage that they get a last chance to sell before starting to break down during the last session. We don't think this unreasonable nor wasted time, and if some people choose to collect their gallery pieces then that is also not unreasonable.

But, as the saying goes...you can't please all the woodturners people all the time...

John D Smith:
Hi Andy, I am with you I think it works fine the way it is as you say with the support the trade give us we need to help them to  make it worth them attending. Regards John

Roger Groom:
Hi All
When you think about it, we were very lucky to get the number of traders present that we did. Considering that there were just 200 or so delegates. It was not like Harrogate and the othere big shows where thousands of people are present. We must do all we can to support them.
Roger G

BrianH:
Thanks for the clarification, Andy but I wonder if you were aware that the local Loughbough press advertised that the gallery was open for public viewing until 1600hrs and that there were outsiders still arriving on the strength of it. That being the case how can it be reasonable for them to witness it being dismantled before that time?
I agree that the traders should recieve all the support we can reasonably give them, but would remind everyone that the 200 or so seminar delegates were 100% serious members of their core target market, unlike other Woody Shows where they are diluted by various other species of Woody. My last words on the subject (at last, do I hear you say??) would be to enquire what proportion of the traders' selling was actually done during the period in question.
Having given my personal feedback... and, it would seem, stirred the pot a little... I am now perrrrrrrrfectly happy to shut up and accept the decision of the commitee, not only because I appear to be a minority of one but also because I damn well enjoyed this seminar just as much as all the others I've attended and fervently wish it could become annual event.
Thanks again everyone who had a hand in its organisation and/or running whatever your garment colour.
Tarra from a rather overcast seaside
Brian   ;D

Andy Coates:
I did know, Brian; I put it there! The problem, as ever, is not having the muscle to "insist" that traders stay open until four. The hope was that they would do, imagining hoards of customers, and then being happy with the odd handful. Sadly most simply wanted to pack up and get off home as Monday for them was just an ordinary day, and what we ended up with was the typical weekend-long craft fair last hour...people rushing to beat the traffic and pack early.

The truth is that the traders are never going to make a massive killing at the seminar; it's a small event in trader terms, and populated by a target audience who probably have most of what they need already, and may only be persauded to part with cash for something they've seen in a demonstration or something that's new on the market.

The ideal would be for delegates to plan spending at the seminar rather than in the months before. Axminster, for instance, will take phone orders to be collected at the seminar and save you the postage. I'm sure the others would do the same.

The traders are a huge part of the seminar; toolpost, axminster and Phil Irons provide lathes, camvac provide the dust extraction, all provide raffle prizes, and many provide incidental equipment and finishes Etc., and without this support the seminar would be a much poorer event. So the aim is to support them as far as possible in the hope that they consider it worthwhile continuing their support in coming years.

The traders hour may not be perfect, but it's the best compromise we could come up with.

And for the record, I have no problem with criticism or comment, so there's no harm done and no offence taken. All ideas are welcome becaue you never know when the gem of a idea will be proposed.

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