cutting edge show

[SteelCityShoes]

Last year was the first time I have been to CE, and I will definitely go again however Bristol is a nearly 400 mile round trip for me and while I would have liked to go, it didn't seem like there was anything worth spending 6 hours travelling for.

Things like John Kolagerakis last year, new products, exhibitions all make it more worthwhile travelling.

[keithm]

the Bristol regional show was a better show for us, than some of the other shows of recent months, in one form or another every booked company was attending and even managed to accommodate a last minute request stand space was achieved by re arranging stand spaces. 

 

perhaps folks who do not support the industry by showing, attending and been totally negative give new ideas, suggestions and promote the industry for everyone's benefit..

 

we all need each other, competitors, suppliers, manufactures, and the all important end customers.

Gary

 

I am not trying to be negative, just challenge the thinking of Cutting Edge who seem to be bumbling along and not recognising what the Trade needs.  As far as coming up with new idea's, I tried that for 10 years with indiffent results by serving on the Cutting Edge committee!

 

A rethink is what is needed, I don't believe that Cutting Edge is hitting the mark, thats all. It's the committee's job to present their ideas to the Trade, both suppliers AND repairers.  

 

Over the last 5 years it's gone from 2 day Exhibitions, a complete confusing waste of time, to Regional Exhibitions which are debatable in my opinion. For example, why hold one in Bristol, then have the main Exhibition in Birmingham 6 months later, ? Crazy!  All you're doing is diluting one or the other or both!

 

Not enough changes in our Trade in a year to hold 2 Exhibitions, maybe not even one, why not look at 2 year Exhibitions?  

 

There you go, a few suggestion.

[StevenB]

For what it's worth, my opinion is as follows.

Wherever the exhibition is, it's a long way - it's a minimum 5 hour round trip for me (Kettering) or 7 hours (Sandown).

Both these are locations at which I have attended the show.

 

Whilst it is a good way to find out about what's new in the trade, there's not sufficient reinvention & new product year on year to make me want to visit every time.

Maybe 1 year in 3 is the most I am likely to attend - and researching new kit or machinery is the likeliest reason to get me there.

 

Another honest opinion regards the time of year - mid September, if it's a nice day, it always feels like it could be the last nice weekend to be with the family before the rubbish autumn weather arrives, and that alone is enough to affect my decision as to whether to go or not.

 

So, in my opinion, a single annual exhibition is sufficient, move it around more than now - how about a 4 year cycle along the lines of Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Exeter... get up & down the country so that at some point it is within around 100-150 miles of the majority of repairers. (Although these 4 suggestions are no closer to me than 170 miles...)

[Lee]

perhaps folks who do not support the industry by showing, attending and been totally negative give new ideas, suggestions and promote the industry for everyone's benefit..

The main shows a good show, Ive never criticised that, but it could be better, perhaps you as a committee could bullet point ALL the points raised in this topic GOOD OR BAD and discuse them, because CLEARLY there's some negativity to the current format with promotion being important.

 

Praise makes you feel good, Critique makes you better.

 

My Son Simons been heavily involved with my business recently. the first two Saturdays he worked for me, he ruined me............... TOTALLY I walked away thinking cocky 14 year old..... but then on the Monday I wrote down everything he said. Along with a do, don't or compromise box. I've always listened to criticism well. Since December I'm already in a diferent, better place because of it.

[keithm]

Well said Lee     

[Paul_]

For what it's worth I will spout my opinion. I worked the exhibitions for 20 years and now on the other side of the counter so I'd like to think I am quite well placed to comment. I am not saying my views are correct but this is what I feel would work best for me and the exhibitors.

 

A national show annually in a different location each year, covering Scotland, North England, Midlands, London, South West England.

 

I really can't see the benefit of the satellite shows except maybe for one in N.Ireland every 5th year in rotation with the above venues. I think these smaller shows dilute the footfall at the national for example how many of the 50 companies that visited Bristol last weekend would go the national even if it was at Sandown in September??

 

I didn't attend the show even though it was only an hour away, I couldn't really see the need. Even an hour away would of meant most of my day off gone and none of the exhibitors caught my attention enough to visit (except maybe the new key supplier). I know exactly what they all sold and wasn't in the market for buying anything new.

 

What the show really needs is something to make people get off their butts and visit. New exhibitors is one, said it before but where are the slipper/leather goods/giftware/watch repair/mobile phone repair etc. suppliers ( I am not saying these are exactly what it needs but NEW exhibitors)

Secondly and I think this has been debated before is a market place area where suppliers can sell stuff on the day, pile it high and flog it. Doesn't need to be in the main area but a separate small area for those suppliers wishing to participate.

 

Like I said this is only my opinion and surely worth debating by CE

[Lee]

I received this email tonight (screen shot below) and I repeat my quote from page one of this topic!

 

If I was a member of the FSRS or a current exhibitor I'd be a bit disappointed. marketing manager.... Just saying.

 

Lee

Generic, poorly executed mailings like this should not come from the trades flagship organisation.

 

 

 

Lee

[cobblers.keys]

I think that the time has now come for the shoe repair 'multi service' style shop to diversify into other areas and maybe remove certain lines from the current list. So we could see exhibitors  who fill those gaps?

[grahamparker]

I think that the time has now come for the shoe repair 'multi service' style shop to diversify into other areas and maybe remove certain lines from the current list. So we could see exhibitors  who fill those gaps?

 

Cycle repairs seems to be paying dividends for Lee. Any other suggestions then ?.