Re: Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition 2024

[Meridienne Exhibitions]

Good Afternoon,

The 2024 dates for the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition have now been confirmed as Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th October, again at The Warwickshire Event Centre.

We are just finalising space allocation and since our post in October 2023  - we haven't had any contact from any members.

Sadly the IC Engine Builders Group will not be attending in 2024 so again I am reaching out to see if anyone on this forum would like to be part of the show.

Please do contact me direct via this forum or contact us on info@meridienneexhibitions.co.uk

Many thanks

Avril

[Vixen]

Hello Avril,

I am an active member of the IC Engine Builders Group. It's sad that Mike Cole, who normally attends, is no longer fit enough to attend.

I would love the opportunity to exhibit some of my model engines in this years show. As you know; some of my engines have previous won the Chris Deith Memorial Trophy (best in show) and also I/C engine class winners. I would also welcome the opportunity to display the engines and talk and discuss them with your visitors, in much the same way as Mike Cole used to do.

The big problem is I do not have the strength or endurance to attend all four days and the set-up day. Nor can I afford several nights in a hotel. Further, do I wish to make several car journeys from the South Coast and back.

My attendance on two days with one hotel night is a possibility, but you have all-ways rejected that offer in previous years. The need for one or two day attendance has been the subject of a lot of discussion earlier in this topic. Have you changed your views?

Regards

Mike

[Vixen]

There may be another way.

Would any of our other UK members of the forum be interested in exhibiting a model engine for say a single day at the 2024 Midland Model Engineering Exhibition?

Several members exhibiting their engines, on different days, covering the duration of the show, may be one way we could satisfy the exhibitions organisers by providing the continuous table coverage they desire.

I would be happy to do one or two days (but not the full show) are there any takers to do some of the other days? It would be even better if there were several of us exhibiting on some of the days.

Think about it. Shows are disappearing fast. Use them or loose them. It's up to you.

Cheers

Mike

[Jasonb]

At the moment I could not commit to a specific day or even any one day so will have to pass.

Not even sure if I will be able to make a last minute decision to visit or now, will just have to wait until nearer the time. Old people falling over scuppered my plans last year.

If the situation changes and I could make a firm commitment then I would consider arriving early to bring a model or three in to display and leaving with them at the end of the day.

[Jo]

Like Mike, I find driving 200+ miles to the show and back leaves me shattered for days after, so it is not something we can plan to do safely every day. Hotel costs are prohibitive for over night stays. Mike Coles has a caravan and used to camp to reduce the attendance costs. So Exhibiting for more than one day is out. Even putting our models for general display is out for the same travel problems.

What we need is a show in the South of England. We used to have Guildford and the ME exhibition but the first has turned into another Model Train Gala and the ME Exhibition moved North making it inaccessible to the majority of us Southerners. The Bristol Show closed due to Council issues.

Maybe we need to hold another MEM Show ... not that I have anything to show 

Jo

[Vixen]

At the moment I could not commit to a specific day or even any one day so will have to pass.

Not even sure if I will be able to make a last minute decision to visit or now, will just have to wait until nearer the time. Old people falling over scuppered my plans last year.

If the situation changes and I could make a firm commitment then I would consider arriving early to bring a model or three in to display and leaving with them at the end of the day.

Hello Jason

Sorry to hear about the Old people falling over, they must always take priority.

Quote. " I would consider arriving early to bring a model or three in to display and leaving with them at the end of the day". That's what we need to hear. If a few more members can step forward and offer the same, we may be able to convince Avril to provide us with a display table for the whole four days of the show, and that would give her the continuity she needs.

Any more offers of help? Arrive early, bring a model or two to display and leave with them at the end of the day

Cheers

Mike

[Vixen]

Like Mike, I find driving 200+ miles to the show and back leaves me shattered for days after, so it is not something we can plan to do safely every day. Hotel costs are prohibitive for over night stays. Mike Coles has a caravan and used to camp to reduce the attendance costs. So Exhibiting for more than one day is out. Even putting our models for general display is out for the same travel problems.

What we need is a show in the South of England. We used to have Guildford and the ME exhibition but the first has turned into another Model Train Gala and the ME Exhibition moved North making it inaccessible to the majority of us Southerners. The Bristol Show closed due to Council issues.

Maybe we need to hold another MEM Show ... not that I have anything to show 

Jo

It's for all the reasons highlighted by Jo, that I am trying to find an alternative way for MEM members to exhibit there skills for a day at the 2024 Midland model exhibition.

If we can find enough members prepared to think about doing one day (perhaps two) each. If we can find enough supporters, I will ask Avril if we can have a MEM club table for the full four days, on the "Arrive early, bring a model or two to display and leave with them at the end of the day" basis.

Please think about it guys. Lets see if we can make a list of those members who may be interested

Cheers

Mike

[Laurentic]

I went to the MMEE in 2023.  So disappointed was I in what was in the show as a whole that I spent very little time there.  It is a long way to drive from Yeovil and back, in a day, the visit HAS to be worthwhile for me to do it again, and on last years evidence worthwhile is totally lacking

I left after about two hours, vowing never to return.  One of the (several) reasons was the lack of IC engines and their constructors standing behind them to talk to, the issue Mike (Vixen) is trying to address here. 

It was mainly just steam locos on display and fine as they are, and I do admire the workmanship that goes into them, I wanted more than just steam locos to view.

I have no engines to exhibit, but should the likes of Mike, Jo, Jason, and others of a like mind, be there exhibiting, I might well reconsider going - if only just to view their models close up and talk to them.

Good luck Mike, I hope your plan succeeds.

Chris

[Jo]

I find it very inspirational to be able to have a chat with the model builders when looking at their models. Few shows offer this. Most are just drop off and come back later. Even with club stands rarely do you get anyone knowledgeable guarding the models.


For the last couple of years Mike (Vixen ) and Sonia (his wife) have visited me with Mike's model engines and along with my 30 odd model engines we have had our own private model show. At one point I did consider having a ICEBG meeting in my garden as I have the space for running all the models (and parking the cars & camping for Mike C ) . However there was a risk of being stampeded if anyone ventured near the facilities and someone thought they were getting near his casting collection 

Jo

[Meridienne Exhibitions]

Hi Mike,

Thank you for your suggestion and I am very happy to work on that basis of a space for your members to exhibit but on a rotating basis of models as I understand everyone's comments re costs/travel etc.

I am of course aware that you won the Chris Deith Memorial Trophy (my Dad) and it would be good to have your work on display again joined by hopefully some other members on this forum.

There would have to be a presence for all 4 days which I know has been the issue in the past but hopefully the rotation of members work will be the solution.

I look forward to a plan coming together.

Thank you

Avril

[simplyloco]

My Triple Expansion  will be finished by then (hopefully!) and I'm confident I could manage one day at least.
I'll have to look out for  the friends and family attrition rate though...
John

[Vixen]

Hi Mike,

Thank you for your suggestion and I am very happy to work on that basis of a space for your members to exhibit but on a rotating basis of models as I understand everyone's comments re costs/travel etc.

I am of course aware that you won the Chris Deith Memorial Trophy (my Dad) and it would be good to have your work on display again joined by hopefully some other members on this forum.

There would have to be a presence for all 4 days which I know has been the issue in the past but hopefully the rotation of members work will be the solution.

I look forward to a plan coming together.

Thank you

Avril

Hello Avril,

Thank you for your very positive response. I believe we can make this work.

For many of us, the opportunity (the need) to display our work and have the opportunity to talk, discus and demonstrate our engines to other enthusiasts is very important. It's the one-to-one interaction between exhibitor and visitor that's so important.  Whereas, rows of sterile, unattended, locos, on tables, do not offer the same reward for your visitors.

That then, is the basis for this plan

I am sure enough forum members will come forward to ensure our MEM table display will be fully manned for the full four days, we have plenty of time to sort the details. In the mean time, I would like to book the following:

Two six foot tables, with some chairs, situated in the tented area where the lighting is so much better than the main hall.

Domestic electrical supply for additional table top lighting etc.

The display tables to be situated in front of a wall with space behind for our exhibitors to move about. Similar to how Mike Cole used to set up.  A centre isle will not work.

Our members will attend on an  "Arrive early, bring a model or two to display and take them away at the end of the day basis." So your security staff will need to be briefed accordingly. We don't need a fight to get in or when removing the models at the end of a day.

Those MEM members, who bring engines for exhibition, will each be given a complementary entry ticket. Nobody wants to pay for the 'privilege' of exhibiting their models for the benefit of your show.


We can work out the details later, but for now, it should be enough to book the space.

Regards

Mike

[Meridienne Exhibitions]

Hi Mike

Thanks for your response.  Clearly the arrangements for your club display are a little different to the normal so I will put your requests into our master plan and normal procedures and flex as we need to - again our operational detail I can sort nearer to the date once I  know details of exhibitors and their models.

Are you happy to be the main contact so we can send you the club documentation etc which will include exhibitor details in due course.

Many thanks

Avril

[Vixen]

Hi Mike

Thanks for your response.  Clearly the arrangements for your club display are a little different to the normal so I will put your requests into our master plan and normal procedures and flex as we need to - again our operational detail I can sort nearer to the date once I  know details of exhibitors and their models.

Are you happy to be the main contact so we can send you the club documentation etc which will include exhibitor details in due course.

Many thanks

Avril

Hello Avril,

Thank you for being flexible enough to consider our requirements. Yes, I am happy to be the main point of contact.

Regards

Mike

[Chipmaster]

Hi Mike,

I should be able to put in a day maybe two with some model stationary internal combustion engines.

Andy