[Survey] What is your opinion about miniature events/conventions?

[Benno]

Hi all,

I'm Benno from Benno's Figures Forum. I started a survey to learn more about people's interests and opinions related to miniature events and the hobby in general. This will help us make improvements to our yearly event and prioritize content on our event's website. The survey should only take 15 minutes, and your responses are completely anonymous.

Link to the survey:
goo.gl/forms/qYsMq9K0sL

The survey closes on September 5, 2015.

I would really appreciate your input!

[Gunbird]

Filled, stamped and sent

[Benno]

Filled, stamped and sent

Thanks Johan!

[zorg]

I'm a bit hesitant to fill out a survey intended to improve a forum other than Lead Adventure, with a link posted on Lead Adventure, to be quite honest.

[Benno]

Hi Zorg,

Thank you for your concern and I understand completely. Let me clarify that this survey is not meant to improve another forum, it's meant to improve an event organised by another forum. It is an event we've been doing for 10 years, with a focus on inspiration and most importantly: FUN! By filling out this survey you help us create a more fun experience for our hobby friends! 

_{*I would also like to add that there is no financial motive (our event has no entrance fee).}

[Ulu Elsomalien]

Done, maybe I went a little off topic in the "list anything you want in the best wargaming event ever"...  Good luck with your survey

[Benno]

Done, maybe I went a little off topic in the "list anything you want in the best wargaming event ever"...  Good luck with your survey

Haha, you were not the first! 

[has.been]

Done. (There wasn't  enough space to say what I think about how badly Bring & Buys have become, suffice it to say table top sales are the way to go, in my opinion)

[Daeothar]

Filled out!

...There wasn't  enough space to say what I think about how badly Bring & Buys have become...

Not my experience actually; I only go to one convention each year (Crisis) and the Bring & Buy, for me, is one of the highlights. I found many good deals there over the years, and it's always fun stumbling onto something you never expected you needed...  

Just out of curiosity; what is it you don't like about them? Maybe they're a totally different affair in the UK?

[has.been]

1) Long time to enter items (last time at Colours it took two & a quarter HOURS !!!)
2) Some rules with no common sense (eg Tray of 30 tanks @ £5 a tank = "You'll have to register EACH tank individually")
3) Items put quietly to the back & a (reduced) offer made at the end of the day. Yes this has happened to me.
4) Some, NOT ALL, have no on line registration forms/ guide lines.
5) "Someone was interested in part of your stuff/ wanted to make an offer but we couldn't get you. (despite leaving my mobile           number & on one occasion telling them which display game I was on.)
6) Items lost or broken (this I take as a risk on any bring or buy. There are thieves out there)
7) Long time to 'book items out' (last time at Colours it took 90 minutes, despite there being very little left on the tables)

I could go on but you get the idea. I know it is a big head-ache for the organisers as well, which is why I think just renting tables to gamers is the way to go. I have experienced this several  times. I WAS IN CHARGE (lowered prices for children/someone who would give some of my old stuff a good home.) made deals all within less time than it took me to book in at Colours, and had money (& space in the car) that enabled me to purchase new SHINEY things.   

[Daeothar]

Different from Crisis then; there it's just tables available for gamers to flog their surplus stuff.

And I think I now understand your objections to the setup you described...

[Damas]

Filled out as requested. 

The 'rather loaded' open question at the end regarding what would my ultimate event consist of did get me frothing at the giblets a bit but boiled down to more workshops/demonstrations/seminars you can actually see and hear, NO BACKPACKS or wheeled luggage and minimum hygiene requirements for attendees, 'cause woof, some Saluters I've had to stand near sweat cheese (or worse).

[Chairface]

2) Some rules with no common sense (eg Tray of 30 tanks @ £5 a tank = "You'll have to register EACH tank individually")

I hear you. A well run bring and buy can be an amazing thing and a badly run onE can be awful. I have to disagree with you on this one point. As a long time bnb volunteer this rule makes perfect sense. When the floodgate opens and there is a flurry of people throwing money at you you want every item to have stickers on them so it's easy and straightforward. There is a system to make sure that things run smoothly, and taking 15 minutes to label and list every item makes it easier for us to sell your item and make sure that you get your money

[has.been]

I wish it was 15 minutes. I do agree Bring & Buys can be wonderful things. I have a room full of things from B&Bs that I never knew I needed. The problems seem to arise when people fail to use (that very rare thing) common sense.
1) Put on your web site clear, simple instructions/guide lines for your B&B;
2) Put the registration form on line also, (some conventions do this)
3) have a big supply of both blank forms & pens (Yes I have seen a queue lengthen for want of a few Biros);
4) If something crops up deal with it QUICKLY. At one show the two 'check in staff' stopped dealing with the queue to help someone fill in forms for his entire 1/300th air force.  For goodness sake get the guy to go to a side table, fill in forms THEN re-join the head of the queue.

OR, even easier.....put some tables to one side, & rent them to war-gamers (e.g.£10 an hour) All the problems (checking in/out, offers, looking after the stuff, manning the B&B etc. etc.) are now the war-gamers.

[dampfpanzerwagon]

I tend to support events/conventions that are close, maximum of 1 or so hour away from home.

Any further and I feel most of my time is spent travelling not enjoying myself.

In the last twelve months I have attended two shows and plan on going to one more in November.

I feel that Salute is the No.1 show in the UK, but breaks so many rules - too far away, cost too much and no B&B.

Most of my purchases are now done over the NET but I still like the social get together of a show.

Tony