Spring Fair

[Trinity]

I agree that the art side is a good thing to sit alongside framing at Spring Fair, and perhaps you could add digital printing to that as well, but supply competitors will not of themselves organize anything together methinks. You need an organisation like FATG perhaps to head it up but with suppliers being equal partners on the venture rather than it being an FATG event.

FFL was on the right pathway, but didn't seem to access attendees beyond the Forum. I went to 2 out of 3, great events each time but disappointing numbers. Where I think suppliers might help themselves a bit more is by promoting such events - a personal invite, a flyer with every delivery, and a mention within every email - they may do this already with you of course. Talking to some of the people on stands I was amazed nay shocked at the cost of Spring Fair - that's some serious money to cover.
My visit on Sunday was really worthwhile. I can see why some of you more established framers gave it the thumbs down, but really suppliers don't need to see you do they as you'll have a big spend and get their reps attention anyway. I saw and bought some great new mouldings that I wouldn't have done otherwise.

The format of seminars and workshops was 1st class at Spring Fair, excellent value and I came away with the priceless nuggets as always. Glad I went rather than wish I had.

[Bagpuss]

THINK AGAIN, TAKE THE TRAIN
Monday's trip to the Spring Fair was a joy as I took the train and arrived refreshed and ready for a good look round . It was great to see some of you up there, thanks to Tudor Rose (Jo ) and Trigger ( Alec) for letting me join them and Merlin(John Cooper) for lunch, lots of useful advise was much appreciated.

It was all going so well when I realised I had to get the 3.30pm train back to London and I had lost my ticket for the Cloak Room Luckily Jo and Alec turned up and remembered I was in front of them in the queue so I managed to track down my green Parka which turned out to actually be a grey colour ... thanks again Jo/Alec

Adam/Bagpuss

[Tudor Rose]

It was good to see you too Bagpuss and I'm glad we were able to help reunite you with your coat

[DEEPJOY]

I was there Monday but struggled to focus as I was full of cold.

Bumped into Bagpuss after he had a drink hence I get no mention in his post, I must have been a blur to him. Nice guy though. I understand why he came up on the train!

Seminar on shirt framing was very useful.

As usual had a good time and always good to meet up with people.

Deepjoy

[Glimpse]

I went yesterday, I was disappointed that there were no seminars, but the rest of the exhibition was very useful. Nice to put names to faces of the suppliers I've been using, and it confirmed what I thought about other suppliers.
Not naming names, but I'm far happier dealing with companies that offer a friendly, personal service over companies with VAST ranges of mouldings and countless reps but without the wherewithal to introduce themselves!
I found the art section particularly helpful and met some nice folk that I hope to work with in future.
I wish I'd driven though, sat for the best part of an hour at Birmingham New Street due to a broken down train and had the guy next to me snuggling up and snoring on the way home!

[A Few More Words]

I made the trip over and back yesterday.
Firstly,thanks to John Cooper who did his magic for me on a few small oval mounts that I needed. We never did get our Valiani CMC successfully cutting 3.5mm thick mountboard and so, as I desperately needed these , I brought along the few blank pieces of board....and John obliged !!...as well as telling me how to set the machine up for that particular head etc and me realising then that I was'nt using the correct blade for that head (we never did have them ). Luckily John thought twice about giving me a few blades to get going as that would have created an interesting situation checking in with only carry on at the airport. Thanks John.

Having been there many times over the past 12 years, the number of framing related exhibitors has certainly declined hugely and I guess that situation wont change anytime soon.....at the end of the day, no matter what part of the world you're in, we're a very small industry. There were no seminars run there yesterday, so after visiting the few trade stands there , I then went thru some of the other halls to see what else is happening .

Without knowing the sentiments of suppliers on the subject, it would appear that it is the cost`of partaking in the show versus their return , that is preventing exhibitiors returning to the show....which in turn is preventing framers going.....We're truly on a downward Spiral here !!...maybe suppliers and framers would be better served by a smaller scale stand alone annual framing event instead......hosted at a good hotel / conference centre instead.....something along the lines of the one in Vegas. (albeit on a smaller scale )

There certainly is an opportunity for a good UK based annual 2 - 3 day show...comprising of suppliers exhibiting / workshops / seminars & classes / discussion forums / framing competitions etc etc , all along with more social interaction and maybe an event / industry recognition dinner etc......the industry needs this interaction to the benefit of all involved.
Cheers,
Tom

[baughen]

I went to the Spring Fair for the first time today and thought I would give my feedback. . I was only really interested in the framing and laminating side but did look around further. The big 3 (Simons, Lion and Wessex) accounted for about 90% of the framing interest. As someone still on the learning curve I did learn some useful things - probably enough to make this effort worthwhile but would be questionable for future events.

I'd agreed on the day we would visit some time ago and was disappointed that there were no presentation etc. on framing, on the last 2 days.

I didn't spot anyone else wearing a Framers Forum badge.

The attendance seemed low and would question whether they would chop this last day in future. I wasn't impressed by the shuttle buses to the South car park only starting at 1pm.

[IFGL]

on my way home from the fair now, my wife and I found it a very worth while day out, made some great new contacts.

[An Old Master]

Went yesterday, parked in South car park at 10.45, which is unusual, as all the South ones are usually full by 10. Jumped straight on a bus, with less than 10 others, also unusual. Lion stand was empty, except for Nicola and Jack, which is very unusual, spent 15 mins or so there, then had a chat with Louise at FATG, Ozzie at Gunnar and then went and gorged on mini cheddars and salt and vinegar crisps at Wessex. Had a few laughs with Goody ( I've never seen that bloke miserable in 20 years ) then met The Master of The Guild, who was just leaving. The general consensus was that Sunday was as Sunday always is, then flurries between 9.30and 4.00 until Wednesday, then dead. Everybody said how good the seminars were, so well worth the tremendous effort by the Guild in putting them on. Not going again on Thursdays, if there is a Thursday next year.

[IFGL]

this was the reason I went on the Thursday, big double pram to push round, and got to talk to everyone I wanted to without any queuing, it was very quiet.

some very rude person did butt in whilst I was speaking to Joe at simons, this person ( very polite of me ) was asking about cutting thick card with a keencut Ultimat gold, Joe said you can upgrade your gold to a futura for £350, no use to me but this info might help someone else who wants to cut 3.5 mount card.