Hiya all, went to the dive show over the weekend (Excel, Docklands) and I gotta say I was most disappointed with it. I was expecting to see loads of different stuff demo'ed and plenty of totty showing things off, insted it had about 6 diff divernet stall's only about 30 other stands and hardly any people. It was my first dive show, but I was expecting much more to see. Think in future I will hang onto my £9...
Disappointed
- Thread starter DarkStaR6
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RICHinNC
Contributor
Hey DS...
I know the feeling...been there done that. But, think of it this way. If we dont go and get the attendance numbers up....where is the incentive for "the big guys" to show up??
Just a thought.
Rich
I know the feeling...been there done that. But, think of it this way. If we dont go and get the attendance numbers up....where is the incentive for "the big guys" to show up??
Just a thought.
Rich
RICHinNC
Contributor
Of course...another way to look at it....
Considering how controlled the dive shop industry is....do the 'big guys' even care if we show up or not. They dictate what a store keeps on hand and sells anyway.
Considering how controlled the dive shop industry is....do the 'big guys' even care if we show up or not. They dictate what a store keeps on hand and sells anyway.
Scuba Jim
Contributor
DS
How do you think we the (smaller) exhibitors feel when the show is basically a glorified flea market for cut price diving gear?
The problem with the shows as organised by Diver (ie the one you just went to and the one at the NEC in October/November) is that PR is very in house and they are not attracting new blood. So few non divers know these shows exist and in the 10 years I have been doing them you see the same peoeple wandering round looking for a chepa BC, a bargain basement Red Sea trip and perhaps a fluffy shark for the kid.
The whole place is scruffy (did you notice they don;t even bother to put carpet down in the aisles?) and they never think of anything new to show or offer.
And on a per sq metre basis they are the most expensive dive shows in the world.
Why not try the Outdoor Show at the NEC this weekend? There is a big diving section and while it is the first time I have exhibited I am quietly confident that it will be a mcuh better show (seeing as it is run by pros not amateurs)
I've got stacks of free tickets if you need some....
Jim
How do you think we the (smaller) exhibitors feel when the show is basically a glorified flea market for cut price diving gear?
The problem with the shows as organised by Diver (ie the one you just went to and the one at the NEC in October/November) is that PR is very in house and they are not attracting new blood. So few non divers know these shows exist and in the 10 years I have been doing them you see the same peoeple wandering round looking for a chepa BC, a bargain basement Red Sea trip and perhaps a fluffy shark for the kid.
The whole place is scruffy (did you notice they don;t even bother to put carpet down in the aisles?) and they never think of anything new to show or offer.
And on a per sq metre basis they are the most expensive dive shows in the world.
Why not try the Outdoor Show at the NEC this weekend? There is a big diving section and while it is the first time I have exhibited I am quietly confident that it will be a mcuh better show (seeing as it is run by pros not amateurs)
I've got stacks of free tickets if you need some....
Jim
ScubaBaby
Contributor
I did manage to make it to the dive show on the Saturday and after the 20 minutes it took to slowing walk around, I too was disappointed. It seemed much smaller this year and even the likes of Northern Diver who tend to have a fairly large stand didn't even show.
I must admit, I was also disappointed as the whole reason I go to the dive show didn't show - The Cartoonery! A little stall but the guy works magic with his fingers.....in an artistic sort of way that is!!!!
Sorry I didn't get to stop and say hello Jim - was in one hell of a mood and had to get home incase of work calling <sulk>
I must admit, I was also disappointed as the whole reason I go to the dive show didn't show - The Cartoonery! A little stall but the guy works magic with his fingers.....in an artistic sort of way that is!!!!
Sorry I didn't get to stop and say hello Jim - was in one hell of a mood and had to get home incase of work calling <sulk>
Scuba Jim
Contributor
Hi Abby
Never mind - maybe next time.
The cartoonery chap was at the Outdoor show in Bimrmingham - I was him there!
Gotta dash!
Never mind - maybe next time.
The cartoonery chap was at the Outdoor show in Bimrmingham - I was him there!
Gotta dash!
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