Phalanx wargame show (UK) today

[Norm]

Phalanx wargame show is in northwest UK. It is a mid sized show and with Father's Day being tomorrow, I am guessing that there were a few punters there with some treat money from their kids.

I have done a bit of a write-up on the blog about the show,including some photos if interested.

LINK

https://battlefieldswarriors.blogspot.com/2023/06/phalanx-2023-wargame-show.html

[Dags]

Has the coffee and/or the lighting improved in that hall? The former was easily the worst on the show circuit (and the food not much better until the organisers got the catering van in) and the yellow sodium lights made everyone look jaundiced. Not a show ask how that flesh tone you admired in the venue was done because you'd hate the result when you tried it at home.

In answer to your question about why some traders are doing less shows; it is simple economics.... show costs have increased exponentially since they came back post-Covid and a lot of events are simply not worth doing any more.

[Norm]

Hi …. The sodium lighting with its terrible yellowish hue has been replaced by LED and now the shade of blue paint that I buy ….. is actually the shade that I want! It makes a huge difference.

As for shows, they emerged in a pre-internet age and so together with the clubs, had a critical importance in sustaining the web / fabric of this hobby. Today, the internet can fulfil such function.

[duc de limbourg]

Imho a good show can never be replaced by the internet!

[Dags]

Imho a good show can never be replaced by the internet!

With a 'punters' hat on I'd agree with you. With a 'traders' reality is somewhat different.... for a small trader (and I'm simplifying this hugely) the costs for a show will average at around £500 (van hire,  diesel,  stand cost et cetera), if they're working on a 50% profit margin they would need £1k in takings before they make a penny at a show. A considerable sum at a smaller event. Take any less and they're making a loss; it would be more profitable to stay at home. As costs increase, year on year, the small to mid-sized show become increasingly unviable for traders. And, as they pay for the hall hire, without them the shows will die. Sad, but true.

[The Dozing Dragon]

I enjoyed the show. Had a few good chats, bought some paints and a few few dice. One of my downsides to the few shows I go to these days is that a lot of the traders tend to be selling the same stuff. Fully appreciate what Dags said about the costs though.