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Thoughts about Euro 2014

Discussion in 'General Figure Talk' started by megroot, Sep 21, 2014.

  1. megroot A Fixture

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Well, I'm home from Euro 2014. For me it whas very disapointing. The numbers are less then 2013. In 2013 the figures stand almost upon eachother, This year there where so less figures that it looks like there where more tabels then last year.
    In other years we can barely walk between the trader stands,, this year you good dance between the trader stands. There whas less crowd then the years before.
    The level of the competition whas as high as ever, but I have serious doubts if I should go next year.
    I wanna here your opinions.

    Marc
    Mike S. and smudger1960 like this.
  2. smudger1960 PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    I was only able to attend 1x day this year so I can't comment for the whole 2 days,however I was in the competition room about 2pm on Saturday taking some photos and I thought the number of entries looked less than other years.
    However I still enjoyed the trip down and meeting up with old friends,for me that is just as much fun as the show itself,my normal service if 2 days will be resumed in 2015.
  3. kagemusha A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    I was only able to make the Saturday and....whilst the first 2 - 3 hours were very hectic in the traders hall.....by lunchtime it was very quiet.
    I went into town to grab a bite to eat with my partner and, we were surprised to see a number of people heading away from the show.
    One group of 3 were saying they had got what they came for, and were heading home happy to have the rest of the day to look over what they had purchased.
    I was surprised that there were so few 'early bird' ticket holders and, not a hint of a queue at opening time!
    I enjoyed the day, and evening, immensely. For me, Euro has become a purely social event, with the bonus of being able to see/buy some nice pieces.

    Ron
    moz, Waterman and smudger1960 like this.
  4. Wellington 33 & 76 Member

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    I am just back from spending 2 hours each way to folkestone and was very disappointed with all, apart from Jon pages stall. They seemed to be a lot of overseas personal and the figures on display did seem very low. I heard two jury's talking in the upper part of the hall and there were even questioning the standard of the figures this year. We did just walk in and has always it was very hot but that was from the solar gain and not from the mass of people. One thinks it should pull it socks up a little , it was a real shame, not sure I will go again, it has got me thinking would Telford be the same!!!!!
    smudger1960 likes this.
  5. pmfs A Fixture

    Country:
    Portugal
    Hi!
    Folkstone is a great event but for what I read the crisis hit the door. Next year will be better for you guys.
    Sincerely, and judging the photos I saw this afternoon, for the usual high standards of Euro this year and for what I saw the quality also decreased.

    Cheers,
    Pedro.
    smudger1960 likes this.
  6. Figure Mad Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Hi Guys

    I went to Euro this year without any inclination of painting figures ever again, my want and need to paint figures or any models had been taken away... Perhaps not the best attitude to have but, I had to go and show my face....
    I too felt it was down on the people that attended, yes I agree that maybe it could have been that situations over the UK and rest of Europe may have dictated the attendance of many modellers, but for me, I thought the main reason
    would have been perhaps the world Expo only being couple of months ago and maybe people not being able to afford the cost of Euro and Expo in the same year.....

    I did have a good time, I too love the social side, I also may have got a little of my want back, that alone would have made the weekend worthwhile....... but the quality of work was up there again like it always is........

    I did indulge to try and make me want to get going again, I think that the quality of work and purchasing a few nonessential items (lol) image attached.

    I enjoyed it and will be going back next year.......

    IMG_2949.jpg
    moz, Don and smudger1960 like this.
  7. BarrieHynd Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Scotland
    This was my first visit to Euro in 4 years, thoroughly enjoyed the weekend (still here until Tuesday). Last time here I had early bird tickets and did the same this year to beat the queue, but as mentioned by Ron above there were very few early bird ticket holders. I did feel numbers were down quite a bit since my last visit in comp entries, public attending and traders. What happened to the usual centre piece display on the stage? That used to be a regular thing along with the re-enactments that used to be outside on the Leas. I missed seeing this.Already planning for a visit next year but the 530 mile drive is a bit of a killer lol, so I may well go by train instead.
    Barrie.
    peedee and moz like this.
  8. Adrian Cowdry Well-Known Member

    Good folk of Planet Figure

    I attended Euro last year on the Saturday and this year on the Sunday. It was crazy last year - I was there early. This year I got to the show just after 10.00am. It was in my opinion quiet - but Sundays are always quiet in the UK, Sundays people come out for a mooch around then bug---... er clear off home early for roast lunch or down the pub for a pint.

    I saw a couple of traders first but then down to the competition room. I was quite amazed that the shelves and displays were not fully loaded like last year - last year the display stands were full - I mean full. This year I was a little disappointed - however I could be mistaken - Sunday's may also mean some competition folk have had their stuff judged and cleared off home. I did however over hear a few conversations of how there were less entries this year.

    I then did my buying from the traders and was finished by 12.00 noon. I got to meet Yiannis of YS casting and Pietro of Pegaso. Two very nice chaps of this hobby/industry.

    By 12.30 I was gone. The lack of traders this year was disappointing. I travelled down for an hour and a half paid £10 to gain entry into a show that I do feel was lacking.

    That really sticks in my craw - the £10 entry fee. The same entry fee is at Telford - that is worth it. £10 into the Leas is not worth it. I felt last year it was excessive - this year has done it in for me. I don't think I'll attend Euro again. The lack of Clubs was also disappointing. I saw some friendly faces but to be honest I see those great people at Figure World and Telford - I don't need to be fleeced of £10 to see them. But if you are a member of the IPMS then Telford is free entry!

    I probably won't see as much talent on show as there is at Euro...that's a given. But I do feel the entrance fee is a rip off...there was a lot less there this year than last and if that is what to expect next year then I this is my last Euro...shame as it was my second visit ever.

    I am not sure if there is a little aloofness for Leas Cliff Hall - but I was disappointed with Truck and Track this year too. Hornchurch is a bigger and in my opinion better show and is very friendly and at £3.00 entrance fee much better value for money.
    housecarl likes this.
  9. Barry King Member

    Country:
    United-States
    I would love to go to Euro, and one day I certainly will.

    If things were a little on the slow side this year, that almost has to be expected, since the World Expo in Stresa was a mere 6 weeks previous, and by all accounts, that show broke all sorts of records as far as attendance and exhibit counts are concerned. It follows to reason, that so many painters had already spent their Dollars/Euros/Pounds so with Euro so close on the heels of the Expo, an off year was all but expected. Also, collectors would have picked up their spoils and commissions from the Expo, so some of the "big names" wouldn't have the same impetus to go to Euro, as compared to years previous.

    What I do find a little discouraging to read, is that people state "I'll never return" because of this. This is a sad attitude, for if everyone had this view, then there wouldn't be any shows at all! The hobby would then greatly suffer.....

    Also a little odd (not to pick on you Adrian!) is the cost of entry. I've always found it fascinating that people will complain about this (it happens at all shows, certainly here in the USA), paying $20-25 to get in the door, and then quickly drop $250+ on figures etc! Running a show isn't cheap, and exhibit halls seem to have yearly price increases. That's just how it seems to go. 10 pounds seems reasonable to me, when you consider the location and the vendors that attend the show. I'm sure that there is a weekend pass rate of some sort if attending both days, although I do stand to be corrected on this assumption.

    So, before people give up and abandon Euro, I hope that they reconsider and put things in perspective, and realize that next year will be more to their liking, but this will only happen if they decide to attend as well!
    sippog, NickM, elanlane13 and 3 others like this.
  10. Ron Tamburrini A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    The tenner is not all that bad when you consider the amount that gets spent on figures , and not to mention the social side where a considerable stash of cash is spent .
    But if the traders are drifting away then there is a problem , other shows seem to be up on numbers and I would be well miffed if I travelled from Scotland to the south of England and the show lacked trade stands . I think the average Scot spends about 500 quid at the show and some a damn site more I can say :rolleyes:
    Four days hotel ,eating out , train and taxi's and beer . then the figures ; can easily come to a Grand :eek:
    Tommi, Don, housecarl and 1 other person like this.
  11. Adrian Cowdry Well-Known Member

    Your points are right on about the entry cost - but Euro is in my opinion not good value when Hornchurch and Figure World are £3.00 ish and have just as exciting traders. Go to Telford and the value is there. I feel not at Euro.

    As for Expo in Italy - yes but ...Euro is on at this time every year - so attendance was down - especially Brit clubs. there were spaces available and attendees were down not just competition entries.

    Just observations.

    By the way a $20-25 entrance fee in the US usually means a whole lot more value for money...I have experienced that sort of show.
  12. Ron Tamburrini A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    One of the problems with Euro is the cost of a trade stand , a lot of the traders do not make a penny and quite a few of the smaller guys are out of pocket , the sheer rush of new figs and busts in Particular showed the need for the traders to cover the costs of the show .
    I would need to sell something like fifty bases just to break even , given there are other base makers there that might be all I sell :(
    Easier just to sit on the internet these days :rolleyes:
  13. smudger1960 PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    I don't think it will ever come to the day I don't attend euro,it's a great weekend for me and as I said earlier it's not just the show it's the eating and drinking and meeting old friends and new people,I didn't enjoy it so much this year as I was only there for the Saturday but normal service will be resumed next year and I will continue to support the show.
    It may be that some of the points raised here may have contributed to the poor attendance both by the public and traders and not forgetting the competition entries,but for me it's still a top show and one I love to attend.
    Don and napoleonpeart like this.
  14. Bootneck Well-Known Member

    The Euro event for me has largely been about the social side and this year that was up to its usual high standards. But where the show falls down in my opinion is the cost to the traders who we punters rely on to see the goods we wish to buy. With the organisers charging the traders some £300 for a single table and many traders taking multiple table space that is as Ron says a lot of bases/kits/paints to sell to cover this cost. You then add on transport,hotel,dining and the trader has to find a lot of money to cover his costs.

    Unlike other shows mentioned I don't believe Euro is run by people who love the hobby and that is why prices are high, at Figure World, Telford ect the prices are more realistic as they are run by modellers for modellers but Euro is run by people who see it as a business venture. And this is why we see a high turnover of traders over the years except for a few stalwarts.

    I for one like to see the product before I buy and that is one of the draws of Euro for me along with the social side and that is why I will keep going back.

    The world expo has undoubtedly had an effect on this years Euro, with no Expo next year lets hope it picks up again.
    Don likes this.
  15. brian A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    Don't listen to all the negative comments Ron.You were missed mate.I'll post soon.withy comments on Euro later.
    Don likes this.
  16. Adrian Cowdry Well-Known Member

    Some good points - at £300 per table the trader needs to take £600 per table before making any profit. That to me for a trader is a rip off! I would need guarantees of large attendance. Milton Keynes, Telford and Hornchurch have such attendance.

    That is for sure the reason that Euro is not good value for money. Leas Cliff certainly is a nice venue but Milton Keynes, Hornchurch and Telford are just as good in a leisure centre or exhibition centre - much better value for money.

    There is no denying the talent on show but from a business point of view the cost is not worth it especially when many traders cross over with their goods all taking parts of the custom.

    And a £10 entrance fee on top - no denying that this is run corporately and not with the modeller in mind.
    housecarl likes this.
  17. MCPWilk A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    I know a couple of traders, and I suspect there may be more, for whom the cost of the weekend is not worth it, and for whom Telford is a better commercial prospect.

    As regards the show, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had a chat with a few traders as well as Carl Reid (who I had not met before) and Moz. Although my sculpting will never get anywhere near their standard, nor my painting skills match those on show in the competition hall, I came away enthused about our hobby.

    If I had one criticism in general, it is that traders are producing/releasing too many good figures with too short a gap between them. If I gave up the day job, I wouldn't have the time to paint all the figures flooding the market. It used to be that e.g. David Grieve would produce one of his two annual figures at Euro, the same for Poste Militaire, Richard Almond etc. Now there is a plethora of figures and choosing just one or two is impossible.

    I shall certainly be going to Euro next year.

    Happy modelling,

    Mike
    Waterman, Don, legend69 and 1 other person like this.
  18. ellie A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Hi Guys I have to agree with what has been said the show was slow and I would put that down to world Expo. It was the first Time Ellie's Miniatures attended Euro and for Our first show it was ok. being the new kid on the block we did it to get the name out their and for people to see what we had to offer and one or two future releases.

    It's great to meet up with old friends and have a few beers and chat. do think it needs looking at with regards to price of stand and entry fee. I think you would get more people in if the price was lowered. and more things were going on like the old days when queues were long and traders we numerous. well it's the 30 year anniversary next year lets hope the organisers have a big re-think and not use it as a cash cow. and give something to the people that attend every year. A lot they could learn from the world Expo. We will be back next year to do it all again.

    Ian.
    brian and Don like this.
  19. Mark S Guest

    Well, I've never been to Euromilitaire, but I'd like to one day.
    What would help to make it possible for me to attend Euromilitaire is if I had one dollar for every time I've read on this forum over the past eight years about how bad it was, how great it was, how it was nothing like last year, how the standard is dropping, how although the standard is dropping the entrants have increased, how although the entrants are down the standard is higher, how crowded it was, how few people were there, how too many figures are on offer, how too few figures are on offer, and if it keeps going this way it'll will be cancelled soon.
    It seems to me it's obviously a fabulous event which showcases some of the best figures in the world, and a great opportunity to meet other modellers.........either that or an great chance to have a whinge.
    Tecumsea, NickM, Pekka and 4 others like this.
  20. brian A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    You guys with the negative comments ,want to think, before you start moaning about the different aspects of the show.I've been going to Euro for over 20 years and have heard it all before.It might not have been the best i've attended,but the figures in the competition were of the highest standard, and the traders were numerous enough for my needs.
    Anybody thinking of going to Euro for the first time might have second thoughts reading the negative comments which we usually get each year.We've even got a chap ,after looking at the pictures has commented on the standard of the entries.We've even got somebody moaning about the 10 quid it cost for entry.That amount of money would just about get you into the movies for 2 hours.As for Telford.it's a totally different type of show, and should't be compared with Euro.
    My friends and i had a brilliant weekend, but we travel about a 1000 mile round trip, to see some of the top painters etc,on the planet and to buy from the many traders.Then there's the camaraderie during the day and in the evening,meeting up with old friends and making new ones, from all the different nationalities that attend each year.
    I'm of the opinion that if the entries were down in numbers in the competition it would have been the World Expo and the fact that the top guns sell their figures,so you can't have figures in 2 places at the same time ,but all the main figure painters were there including a seminar with Mike Blank.
    I haven't gone out to deliberately upset anybody on purpose but what's the point of nit picking a really great weekend out.You may say that your entitled to your opinion,which is true,but can't you find any positives in somethings.
    Euro is just not a show, but an event which happens once a year in the U.K. let's appreciate that fact.
    Brian
    peedee, Don, moz and 12 others like this.

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