29 replies to this topic

[swan]

Please say you are returning to the Edwardian Radisson at Heathrow!  I'm afraid the Hilton just doesn't compare!

[nosfer2]

I'd welcome a return to Heathrow - I can get there on my Oyster card so it's a lot cheaper than travelling to Birmingham!

[yahweh70]

At thew dinner, ikt was zsuggested, but no dates given, that next Autographica was in Londres, et the one apres, en Brum

[mcgill]

I would rather have Birmingham, if we cant have any events in Manchester. Already enough things in London, so it would be helpful for those of us north of Watford to have events in Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds.

[swan]

And for those of us who live in South Wales it's just hard work and long distances getting to any convention!

[lukeowl]

The Hilton Metropole is a superb location and I sincerely hope that Autographica leave London behind and move the show to the Hilton permanently.  I just like the format there - and it is easy to get to from most parts of the country.

[Hannerzzz09]

lukeowl, on Sep 14 2009, 04:19 PM, said:

The Hilton Metropole is a superb location and I sincerely hope that Autographica leave London behind and move the show to the Hilton permanently.  I just like the format there - and it is easy to get to from most parts of the country.

I agree 100%..

This was my first Autographica & I thought the venue was absolutely superb & I hope that Autographica 15 next April is also at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole..fantastic job!

Regards,Shane  

[Ted Crump]

I asked on my way out where the next one was going to be held and had the reply 'probably back in london'. Hope not!

[shearwater]

I have to say: having attended two shows at Heathrow and three at the Hilton, Brum wins it hands down for me! Better food / rooms / parking / venue / easier travel: just everything, really....
(And NO flippin' M25!!!!)

Edited by shearwater, 14 September 2009 - 09:36 PM.

[Count Fooku]

Each venue has its pros and cons for me. Heathrow is probably closer as the crow flies but given I have to travel by public transport it is a bit of a pain to get to and means using a couple of buses.

The food is about even, Heathrow has the McDonalds next door but the food court area that has been laid on at Birmingham the last couple of shows means there is somewhere to buy affordable food at lunchtime. Birmingham is very expensive to eat in the evenings but we found a pub just down the road which was about half the price and just as good. From memory the bar prices in both are hideously expensive!

Both hotels have good public areas, there are a number of sofas and easy chairs dotted about the corridors and lobby of Birmingham, whereas Heathrow has the atrium area which is also good. The only downside of Heathrow is a few of the corridors are quite narrow which can cause a bit of congestion when people are queing and others are trying to get through the corridors.

Also it seems with Birmingham it is possible to get all the dealers in one room and all the guests in one room whereas at Heathrow its not uncommon for guests and dealers to be spread out over two or three different rooms.

I've not stayed at Heathrow before so couldn't say how the bedrooms compare. Have to say though I think the Birmingham hotel does need freshening up a bit, there were a few bits and bobs in my room that could have done with being fixed, nothing to worry matron about but needed looking at all the same. Have to say though the breakfast selection was excellent, but again I don't know how that compares to Heathrow.

I think maybe Birmingham just shades it for me, despite being a bit further away its probably as easy for me to get there as Heathrow is and I think the added space around the hotel makes it all feel a bit less congested.

[spocks-brain]

Personally I like Birmingham. Been to the other Autographicas at Northampton, Coventry and Heathrow and BHam edges it for me. The space in the hotel just works really well for the show. And just my impression, but it seemed to me like the guests seemed to like it and were probably the most relaxed compared to all the venues used.

Looks like next year it will be back to doing one in London next April followed by BHam later in the year. Jason posted this in one of the other threads -

Quote

we will be back next year with two event one in London and the other in Birmingham with lots of rare and great guests .

thanks to everyone that came to the event and enjoyed it

jason

ps one last thing General Stafford said we were a real pro outfit better than anything else he has been to and he offered contacting other Nasa guest we have been trying to have as guest at our events to tell them to trust us and encourage them to attend , and thats going to go a very long way with others from Nasa  

[Helmut]

Hello,

because I have better flight connections from Stuttgart to London,I appreciate it,when Autographica will return in April 2010 to Heathrow.I think,other Autographica fans abroad agree with me.

Best from Stuttgart
Helmut

[Count Fooku]

Its possible we could all be wrong on this one given that Jason has mentioned London in his post above. I suppose its not out of the question that they are looking at a new venue somewhere in London and away from Heathrow.

Being purely selfish that would probably suit me even more!

[yahweh70]

Well, Paul said the show was set for London next year, then later on, in Birmingham. Personally, Brum is marginally better as its nearer, and means less time on the wonderful M25.

But at least theres a cheaper food alternative in a 24hr MacD's, but be careful, they might run out of burgers and shakes by mid-evening...

Plus the room layout is more compact, meaning you don't get confusd which side of the hotel are you, and which side is the room hosting guestX, and which side is it to get to the bedrooms.... At least in the old suite they used to have at Brum Hilton, it was all together up one end.

[prendy9160]

I would prefer the Heathrow Rad simple really nearer home

[Ted Crump]

One things for sure, we are never going to have a consensus on which is the best venue for the show, because wherever it's held it's going to either delight or disappoint SOMEBODY

[swan]

You should try the Celtic Manor Hotel near Cardiff.  Absolutely stonking venue!  And near me!  Oh how nice to not have to travel for hours!

[Designated Driver]

swan, on Sep 16 2009, 03:24 PM, said:

You should try the Celtic Manor Hotel near Cardiff.  Absolutely stonking venue!  And near me!  Oh how nice to not have to travel for hours!

I hear there may be some golfers there some time next year...

I too would like an event in South Wales some day.....there's a Hilton in Cardiff too

Idris

[michaelrc123]

ok, i can see people arguments with both venues been the best but with so many shows around london, isnt it discriminating against those int he north and midlands? i mean we could do with shows up here and the be fair the hilton is  a good hotel - so please please keep them as they are 2 autographicas in bham and one CM mids in cov or the NEC complex.

it just makes so much sense really

Mike

[swan]

Quote

ok, i can see people arguments with both venues been the best but with so many shows around london, isnt it discriminating against those int he north and midlands?

And to those is South Wales and the South West of England!

Birmingham or London take me the same time to travel.  I just much prefer the Heathrow hotel.