2020 Dinghy Show

Moving the show to a better venue was required to stop the slow loss of exhibitors, both business and enthusiast.

Perhaps what seems to be a crazy idea will surprise us all and halt the slow decline.

But I dont think many of us are holding our breath.

Farnborough is better for those of us in the west of England - takes an hour off our journey. But seems an odd choice of venue for a national show. 

Originally posted by fleaberto Straight away that turns into a 2night stay if we want to be there and get home at a reasonable time rather than one. We couldn't go this year - first we've missed in 10yrs - but I can't see the attraction of this new location to be honest. So, more car journeys? Less to do in the area? 🤔 Seems a bit of an odd choice if a change was needed.

It could still be a 1 night stay. Leave home say 8am. Arrive 1pm. 3 hrs at show Sat Pm. Stay over. Show Sun Morning. leave say 2pm. Home for tea?

I've never planned my visit to co-incide with specific speakers etc. Yet for a work conference etc I would...

Well I've done Ally Pally 3 times. First by train in a day. Was a long trip. We didn't buy much gear - had to carry it home. Second by car connected to buying a boat. Can't remember what gear we bought. There was a hotel stay.

Third this weekend. Could have been a day trip if ECML wasn't planned closed. But we made a weekend of it and we to a show last night before a return train journey that took twice as long as Friday night.. what "thee wee man" wanted and what I wanted were very different things. He wanted to go on simulators and trapeze and pull up spinny on cadets etc. I wanted to look at gear. Try stuff on. If I'd had a chance I'd have gone back today. I wonder if there are Sunday afternoon bargains to save taking stock back.

I suspect people travelling by train don't want to carry big stuff.

Franbrough is further by train for me (time).. not sure if I can split it to stay somewhere on Friday night. Or what else is nearby as extra activities.

*If* it meant the classes that have stopped attending (e.g. for cost) can now attend that may be no bad thing. Mirror class not there (although there was a mirror on a stand). *If* the model yacht pond was a tad bigger. *If* the (missing) chandlers felt it didn't cost so much to bring stock in etc... It may be a better venue. I certainly would not fancy having to tow my boat to AllyPally to display...

If there was outside space - might you get a 'classified' adds section? Am I dreaming? Maybe even a 'jumble' chucked in too?

Not sure what more can be done in terms of activities...

As a pond sailor from the midlands this is not a good move and I can see me bothering to go next year .