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General => Announcements and forum stuff => Events and Conventions => Topic started by: Andym on October 21, 2019, 07:29:14 AM
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So myself and my Brother are just back from another excellent BLAM weekend and, as usual, we've come back with too many stupid ideas! ;)
I should probably explain what BLAM is first(for those that don't know).
Every year, for the last 10-15(?) years, I group of like-minded souls have gotten together to play a few days worth of fast, fun and high quality games. From my experience of them, these have tended to be organised by the always excellent Malmute, Captain Blood, Matikishi and Eric the Shed in some pub function room or small school hall. As well as the organisers, participants have put on games ranging from Waterworld meets Necromunda to Robin Hood to Pirates. All fast, fun games that can regularly be completed within 2-3 hours per game. This allows for a wide variety of games to be played on a day. Unlike normally Wargames shows, these days tend to be by invite only. This allows the organisers to know the number of people coming AND the number of games/tables to run so that no one is left floating around doing nothing. It's also definately NOT a tournament games day. ALL games are played in the spirit of fun and not solely about winning!
So in the spirit of BLAM, myself and Gamer Mac were thinking of holding a smaller event closer to home(BLAM as always been London based) and we were looking to see if there was a possible interest?
Now nothing has been set in stone yet. Everything is still open for discussion.
I'm looking first of all to see if enough people would come. I'm also looking for ideas of venues we could use(We had a previous trial run in a function room at Mugdock Park) and possible dates when to have it.
As for number of attendees, BLAM has traditionally been between 30-40 people. This has allowed for, around, 6 games of 5 people playing. Always by invite only, so we can guarantee we don't have too many or too little people on the day. This is all usually confirmed and we all split the cost of the venue between us all.
Venues can be anywhere. Scout halls, pub function room, you name it. Price is important though. We tried to book a function room in Summerlee Hertitage Park previously and got told we'd be £600 for a single day.
And lastly dates. There's a lot goes on in the wargaming calendar, when's the best time?
I'd love everyone's feedback!
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Would love to attend mate and working for myself will make that a damn sights easier :)
No idea as to when to suggest, it’ll probably revolve around school holidays?
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Count me in. Happy to help with the event and putting on a game :)
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Dates permitting Andy, I’d be keen to come up for that :)
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We also need to discuss a few other things
Number of days?
Are we better just going for a single day event?
Or two or three days
Car parking at location
Access to public transport
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Aye aye,
I'd be up for that. I've wanted to go to Blam but not quite made it yet.
Perhaps arrive someplace the night before and have an all day session then home in the evening?
Hotels usually want a contract and deposits for a function room, which can be pain, (I'm currently organising an event, with accom, food, and the room itself and have to chase up 20+ gamers for roughly £4K - that's a fair bit of organising and running about). Smaller hotels and private clubs (bowling/golf, etc) seem to be a bit more flexible on that side of things.
Location - Perth perhaps? (Decent road links from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Oban and about as equally distant as possible from each. Rail options too and plenty hotels roundabout).
As for dates I suggest not clashing with a Scottish show but other than that you'll never get a date that pleases everyone.
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Dates permitting Andy, I’d be keen to come up for that :)
Would always do my best to come up and support you chaps. :)
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Cracking idea, I'm happy to be involved helping again if you'd like. It could be an excuse to have an organisers meeting followed by a game or two.
We also need to discuss a few other things
Number of days?
Are we better just going for a single day event?
Or two or three days
Car parking at location
Access to public transport
Number of days? I'd suggest that for people to come from England/Germany/Ireland then a couple of days might be better. If you are more keen for something to definitely run then one day.
I agree with your points with regards to car parking at the venue, access to public transport, cheap hotels and pubs/restaurants for the evening.
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Count me in. Happy to help with the event and putting on a game :)
Good show mate! Much appreciated!
We also need to discuss a few other things
Number of days?
Are we better just going for a single day event?
Or two or three days
Car parking at location
Access to public transport
Number of days is probably dependant on who comes. If it's only us locals, a single day would be enough. Any interest from our UK cousins or further afield it needs to be worth their valuable time/money.
Location- if we're organising, some place nearer us is better. The fact that we both live equal distance away from Glasgow AND Edinburgh airports anyone flying has 2 choices.
Aye aye,
I'd be up for that. I've wanted to go to Blam but not quite made it yet.
Perhaps arrive someplace the night before and have an all day session then home in the evening?
Hotels usually want a contract and deposits for a function room, which can be pain, (I'm currently organising an event, with accom, food, and the room itself and have to chase up 20+ gamers for roughly £4K - that's a fair bit of organising and running about). Smaller hotels and private clubs (bowling/golf, etc) seem to be a bit more flexible on that side of things.
Location - Perth perhaps? (Decent road links from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Oban and about as equally distant as possible from each. Rail options too and plenty hotels roundabout).
As for dates I suggest not clashing with a Scottish show but other than that you'll never get a date that pleases everyone.
We weren't thinking of booking hotels for people. That would be too much of a financial commitment for us. Imagine a couple of people pulled out, we'd be left with the bill! I'd love to offer that, but I don't have the money I'm afraid. People would have to book their own accommodation, buddy.
Nights(or even days) out could be organised nearer the time or once we've definately got interest.
Dates probably to avoid-
Salute April 18th
Carronade May 9th
Glasgow Games Gathering June 27th
Claymore August 4th(?)
Cracking idea, I'm happy to be involved helping again if you'd like. It could be an excuse to have an organisers meeting followed by a game or two.
Sounds like a good idea, mate.
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Sounds like a plan.... work dependant (which is a bit of a killer at the moment), I’d love to come along
:)
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I could well be able to make that. :)
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People would have to book their own accommodation, buddy.
My point was just that, it's way too much hassle. Concentrate on finding a decent central venue. Anything else is the attendee's business. :)
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Count me in and happy to share wisdom of blam organisation
Biggest piece of advice get the numbers and cash up front to pay for venue :)
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Wonderful idea. I think there will be flights to Scotland from Hamburg. Only date saved is last weekend of February for Tactica in Hamburg.
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The other decent sized show in Scotland is Targe in November, and there's Skelp in October.
More than happy to attend, I have a game planned to tout around the various Scottish shows next year, but if you don't mind seeing it again I am sure I can make it to Perth.
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I would be up for that. Perth is an ideal location centeral for most of us. I also have a game that would fit in well i think. Hope this happens BUSTED.
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I’ve been known to cross the pond for a BLAM weekend.
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We could just do at your house Andy :)
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We could just do at your house Andy :)
That sounds like a plan :D
Though Iain your house maybe better :D
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I’d be up for this - Edinburgh based but I’m sure I can find Perth :) Can even put on a game if needed.
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Just a quick note to I wouldn’t be able to make either July or November but don’t let that stop you.
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Good show mate! Much appreciated!
Number of days is probably dependant on who comes. If it's only us locals, a single day would be enough. Any interest from our UK cousins or further afield it needs to be worth their valuable time/money.
Location- if we're organising, some place nearer us is better. The fact that we both live equal distance away from Glasgow AND Edinburgh airports anyone flying has 2 choices.
We weren't thinking of booking hotels for people. That would be too much of a financial commitment for us. Imagine a couple of people pulled out, we'd be left with the bill! I'd love to offer that, but I don't have the money I'm afraid. People would have to book their own accommodation, buddy.
Nights(or even days) out could be organised nearer the time or once we've definately got interest.
Dates probably to avoid-
Salute April 18th
Carronade May 9th
Glasgow Games Gathering June 27th
Claymore August 4th(?)
Sounds like a good idea, mate.
Speaking for myself: sure, more than one day would be appreciated but depending on where the venue is, I would not have find it difficult to find other things to do to make the trip worth it. But where is key, since long transports really cuts into the time you have set aside for leisure.
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@Andy: Keep it simple. Find your location and date, check if there is something similar to a travelodge near to the location and post it. Don‘t think and plan to much. All these „if“ will only stop your good idea. My problem as continental European is only the wrong side of the track in Scotland. So I need public transport to avoid driven with car... ;)
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I’ll probably come up by car so could do shuttle runs if necessary.
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If you fly into Edinburgh I can probably sort that out :)
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@Andy: Keep it simple. Find your location and date, check if there is something similar to a travelodge near to the location and post it. Don‘t think and plan to much. All these „if“ will only stop your good idea. My problem as continental European is only the wrong side of the track in Scotland. So I need public transport to avoid driven with car... ;)
I'd happily pick you up from Glasgow or Edinburgh airport my man :)
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I'd happily pick you up from Glasgow or Edinburgh airport my man :)
You won't say it again once you've had him in the car with you lol ;)
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I'd happily pick you up from Glasgow or Edinburgh airport my man :)
Thanks, a small talk about HSV and Rangers would be great.
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You won't say it again once you've had him in the car with you lol ;)
James, you are a very nasty boy. Never understood why they let you in in Japan.
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lol lol lol
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You won't say it again once you've had him in the car with you lol ;)
lol
True though lol
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I've had him in the car with me many times, and can assure you he's a perfect passenger :)
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Date and location dependant, I'd fly up for a couple of days!
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I've had him in the car with me many times, and can assure you he's a perfect passenger :)
Thank you, moi capitan. It was always a pleasure with you.
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Coming late to this debate. I'd be up for a weekend in Scotland. I'd probably drive and could offer a lift for anyone in the West of England who wanted to go.