UK Guitar Shows - My first time, Advice?

RyanNoisyHammer

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice and feedback from this rad hivemind.
Im looking to take my small business to a few guitar shows next year across the uk.
And I was interested in which you all prefer, recommend, avoid?

Anything stories you could share good or bad would help as I have never exhibited before and would love to not completely mess it up.

Thanks in advance

Ryan -Noisy Hammer Cabs

TTony

I think @guitars4you ; has probably been to most of them ....

SteveRobinson

Do you think they'll happen next year then?

Will they have to be outside in the car park?

ToneControl

Depends what you're selling

the big Northern ones are great for new and old stuff, small and big

there are smaller ones at places like Crewe, which are mostly used/vintage stuff I think, and probably not as good for selling new customised cabs (I'm guessing that's your product), but might be worth it for publicity/price ratio.

RyanNoisyHammer

SteveRobinson said:

Do you think they'll happen next year then?

Will they have to be outside in the car park?

I hope so, would be rad to have something to aim and look forward to. Its a fair way off yet too

RyanNoisyHammer

ToneControl said:

Depends what you're selling

the big Northern ones are great for new and old stuff, small and big

there are smaller ones at places like Crewe, which are mostly used/vintage stuff I think, and probably not as good for selling new customised cabs (I'm guessing that's your product), but might be worth it for publicity/price ratio.

Definitely would be selling the custom cabs we make and related items. 
And would be looking to mainly get out there and show as many people as possible.
 

guitars4you

send me a message @RyanNoisyHammer ; and I can give you the contact info for the 3/4 main show organisers - Close show to you is Cambridge/New Market but based on a Norwich location you have a few miles to travel for any show

I exhibit at around 16 shows in the year (normal year anyway) - On a good day all shows are bad - On a bad day I can think why did I bother - Sometimes I've taken more money at a small show with only around 400 customers visiting the show, then say 2000 customers at a larger show

It is also about promotion and for me the 'human contact' that other media channels don't offer - I call it my social media - In a perverse way I like them - Long days - The alternative is to sit on your back side and do nothing 

prowla

Kempton Park is good.

The Thame one was a nice little show, but they pulled it last year, so it may be consigned to history.

I've been to Bristol, Northampton, Bristol, and Birmingham shows.

I like the shows which have a bit of variety; I like to rummage through boxes of used parts.

RonnieHotdogs

16?? is there a calandar? I always miss them

guitars4you

http://www.guitar-shows.co.uk/

http://www.guitarshows.co.uk/

http://www.mojoguitarshows.co.uk/

all info and contact on this sites - between them 16 shows or so

Nitefly

Don't forget the one @Jason does in Birmingham:

https://www.theguitarshow.co.uk/

Jason

Nitefly said:

Don't forget the one @Jason does in Birmingham:

https://www.theguitarshow.co.uk/

Cheers! 

J

RyanNoisyHammer

Wow thank you all so much for all this. All and any information helps.

RyanNoisyHammer

prowla said:

Kempton Park is good.

The Thame one was a nice little show, but they pulled it last year, so it may be consigned to history.

I've been to Bristol, Northampton, Bristol, and Birmingham shows.

I like the shows which have a bit of variety; I like to rummage through boxes of used parts.

Good to know. Ill keep an eye out

RyanNoisyHammer

guitars4you said:

send me a message @RyanNoisyHammer ; and I can give you the contact info for the 3/4 main show organisers - Close show to you is Cambridge/New Market but based on a Norwich location you have a few miles to travel for any show

I exhibit at around 16 shows in the year (normal year anyway) - On a good day all shows are bad - On a bad day I can think why did I bother - Sometimes I've taken more money at a small show with only around 400 customers visiting the show, then say 2000 customers at a larger show

It is also about promotion and for me the 'human contact' that other media channels don't offer - I call it my social media - In a perverse way I like them - Long days - The alternative is to sit on your back side and do nothing 

Thank you, will do mate. Thank you for your honesty