2020 Dinghy Show

Originally posted by JimC The RYAs list of criteria seem reasonable, and Farnborough seems to be the least worst fit. To my mind the show is suffering because too many classes have pulled out because of the expense, so its got to be cheaper than AP, NEC, which probably means Excel and Olympia too. I can't imagine Cotswold Water Park or Blenheim Palace can provide indoor heated halls with 30 foot ceiling height, Manchester feels too far North... Of course if anyone can think of a better venue than anything the RYA have considered I'm sure they'd be delighted to hear. Charming as the old days scattered round a Sports centre were, I don't think it would do for the modern audience...

I am hoping that the RYA throw away the " How we run the show" file and start with a clean screen/ piece of paper in the new venue.

Looking forward to seeing an all new format, based on the fact that 75% of the visitors are repeat customers and need some all new stuff to encourage them to visit.

With Winter becoming a rarity, and a free car park perhaps the drive south is viable.

Originally posted by iGRF Something had to change it was a bit absurd that an embryonic class like the Farr couldn't even get to exhibit without being on a builder or fittings stand.

Originally posted by jeffers Originally posted by Jack Sparrow   I've been involved in many Stands (building, manning, setting up, negotiating with brands etc..) over the years, and the cost for classes is debilitating (it's the biggest yearly cost to some classes). Add to this the way the RYA finacially penalises 'new' classes, due to none membership of the RYA (who's rules dictate that you must have a minimum number of members to be a member).  Not sure where you heard that Jack, the D-Zero class affiliated with the RYA before we had any CA members and before many boats were delivered.

Originally posted by Jack Sparrow I've been involved in many Stands (building, manning, setting up, negotiating with brands etc..) over the years, and the cost for classes is debilitating (it's the biggest yearly cost to some classes). Add to this the way the RYA finacially penalises 'new' classes, due to none membership of the RYA (who's rules dictate that you must have a minimum number of members to be a member). And well, I hope they do pass on any savings, rather than pocket them - and look at their rulings for small / new classes. (The Farr 3.7 case is a bit odd, as we operate as an Area Group under the NZ Class which is affiliated to the YNZ)

There is an oddity. A class can't sell a boat on their stand. (You'd think they would be getting cheaper than builders)

Niche builders - can't justify a stand.

Yet - software providers managed to provide a stand for software that I doubt will sell enough copies to cover the cost a CA would have paid for a year.

You have groups like the NSSA who won't exactly be rich - do they pay top dollar too?

Yet I don't recall seeing say a RS Tera stand - I assume they were part of the builder stand? But a parent trying to help child pick a boat actually should be talking to the CA about coaching support etc not a builder? Do Oppie and Cadet caught my attention of the youth classes...