Salute - Help for a First Timer

[Abbner Home]

I'm going this year thanks to an odd bit of personal and professional good fortune. Since I'm normally a working shlub from the middle US it's very likely this is my only trip ever to Salute (and likely London generally for that matter).

I'm veteran of most of the big multi-day shows in the US (historicon, origins, Gencon) but being a one day show and in a different country I'm sure Salute is a different animal.

Any tips or suggestions for things I must do or see and any tips on what to avoid or show etiquette that a newbie yank may not know will be most appreciated.

[whiskey priest]

I think the best advice is don't rush. Wander up and down, chat to folk. Check out which games you like the look of, join in the ones that'll let you. Wave at the Frothers tables, spot the fat stormtrooper, play 'gamer or runner' as you wander through excel, don't buy too many metal figures early on as they get heavy by the end of the day, check out stuff you wouldn't normally, and most important of all, make sure you have hiding place so that your wife doesn't see how much you bought!

[Thargor]

Make sure that you come and say "Hi" at the Freebooter Miniatures game table (GJ06) and have a game of Freebooters' Fate.  You know it makes sense.  We won't even take the mickey out of you too much for being a Yank  

Seriously though..... see the Salute webpage, scroll down to the Traders PDF and have a look through to see if there will be any that you definitely want to check out or buy from (quite a few will be doing pre-oreders online or deals on the day).  Make a list of the stands that you definitely can't miss and mark them on your printout of the Salute Plan.

Next look through the Games List and mark any that appeal straight away on you Salute Plan.

Don't expect to buy food or drink between 12 and 2 without queueing for 30 minutes.

Bring cash - it's surprising how many traders can't take card payments on the day.

Wear deodorant - it's amazing how many people don't 

Keep an eye on the threads on here and you could get to meet lots of LAFers at the annual meet-up (I've missed it the last 3 years as been too busy).  On that note, try to spot LAF badges and introduce yourself.

[Atheling]

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that you can see a pic of me on my Just Add Water Blog here (far too wise to actually post it here!):

http://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/salute-bloggers-meet-up.html

If you bump into me feel free to say hello and we can have a quick chat.

Darrell.

[Andym]

Best advice?........remember british like to people queue!

[Atheling]

Best advice?........remember british like to people queue!

LMAO!!! 

so very true- especially of Salute!! 

Darrell.

[Sterling Moose]

Hey Bloggers, don't be strangers.  You'd be welcome at the LAF meet up at 1pm at the New Victoria game run by Malamute & Co too   

[6milPhil]

Get yourself an Oyster card to speed up going through ticket barriers.

I'd recommend bringing food and drink from outside the complex, this should save you not only money but time as you won't have to join the additional queues. It also frees up space in your bag as you eat your way through it.

If you're a smoker go to the back of the hall and out one of the rear exits explaining to security how you're "going for a fag", that's not a joke and they're always very pleasant about it. The other option is walking to one end of the complex which is a round trip of around a mile and a half.

Do go and say hello to folk, but expect traders to be too busy for more than a brief hello. Folks running games can be the best for conversations. Don't let the city styled no conversation, no eye contact you'll experience on public transport put you off talking to folk, even on your approach down to Excel.

Have a bloody good time.

[Abbner Home]

Thanks for all the information.

What are ticket barriers and where do I get an Oyster card?

[6milPhil]

Ticket Barriers are turnstyles where you present you ticket to travel, it's margnally quicker at each one so over a few days travel you save a bit of time and in London every second counts apparently Oyster cards you can get from stations, full info here: https://account.tfl.gov.uk/oyster?App=8ead5cf4-4624-4389-b90c-b1fd1937bf1f&returnURL=https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/security_check

[Abbner Home]

Ok, thanks - I somehow thought they we're show specific and I was thinking something to the effect of "WTF?"...

[Chilledenuff]

I think the best advice is don't rush. Wander up and down, chat to folk. Check out which games you like the look of, join in the ones that'll let you. Wave at the Frothers tables, spot the fat stormtrooper, play 'gamer or runner' as you wander through excel, don't buy too many metal figures early on as they get heavy by the end of the day, check out stuff you wouldn't normally, and most important of all, make sure you have hiding place so that your wife doesn't see how much you bought!

Great advice!  Last year 'gamer or runner' was added to by the 3rd group 'cake decorator'.  I'm wondering how many people did all three?

[6milPhil]

Ok, thanks - I somehow thought they we're show specific and I was thinking something to the effect of "WTF?"...

Hehe. Foreign transport systems are confusing enough so it'll be a bit easier with an Oyster... last year the only person I know not from London who had one was our Finn chum Mikko.

[Blodwin]

Don't panic when you walk into the event and see lots of athletic fit people - you must understand that in Britain all wargames are slender, with racing snake figures who all look like they could run a marathon.

Don't feel self conscious just enjoy the day

[Captain Blood]

A few years back it was Salute, the London Maraton registration, a mediterranean property fair, and a scuba diving trade show.
A very interesting mix of people clogging the central mall that day...