Donkey

But I'm not the one saying I'm the 'Worlds Largest Autograph Show' Judging by the last show, how is this now a true and honest statement? Lets get back on track! :)

There's no fun in playing safe Simondo! :) I'd like hollywood legends and moonwalkers, not background stars and shuttlers!. Lets get this back to the 'worlds greatest autograph show' again next year!.

Weren't you seen in the West End a few nights ago (see other thread). Is there something you want to tell us?

If it went well financially is there any hope of two shows in 2012? Maybe we should get Fred to talk to all of the other moonwalkers, so we get more than one next time! :)

Whilst I appreciate the responce, I struggle to believe that this was carried out as discribed. The fact that it was even mentioned in a meeting makes it even more puzzling. As I wandered around I can only recall seeing a handful of luminous bands. Mine everybody elses was tucked under the sleeve of my jumper, and nobody ever challenged me to see it. It seems bizarre that an event that struggles to break even, has seemingly non-existance ticket checks.

I went today, and had a pleasant experience. Although not as good as the Birmingham venue, the free parking outside does compensate. It really is a maze inside, in fact I only found the dealer room by chance (and this isn't my first time!). I felt a bit sorry for Johnny Johnson too. He seemed completely isolated. The checking of wristbands was non existent. After the ease to get in free last time, this really should have been tightened. Whilst I loved the relaxed style of the event. Turn out seemed generally very low. Other than the space guys which provided a small buzz around the place, the rest looked very quiet. The general feel of the event did feel so much more friendlier, at Birmingham with the 'security' it often feels more about ego's and power trips. But the two ladies on Edgar's stand couldn't have been more friendly, personable, or helpful. The lady on the front desk was also warm and welcoming. I was done in a few minutes. I have no idea what you guys do over the whole weekend. Maybe you were all at the bar?. I can't believe its another 12 months until the next one. I'm pleased with my autographs. Cheers Dave.

My original question was intentionally vague, so not to open a can of worms. But what I was getting at, was that following the high level of debate about the guest list. Are numbers lower than usual, the same, or even higher?.

How was it in terms of numbers of attendees? Did the lack of Buzz etc make any difference?.

Car 'park'!.

I was only thinking today that apart from the massive cancellation of Buzz, it had been almost too quiet!. This only made me more nervous that you were keeping some secrets. I'm glad to be proved wrong.

I hate West Ham. I'm glad they didn't get their hands on it.

Count + Sky Sports I'd never believe it!!

Shouldn't this be made a 'sticky' at the top?. It's already sinking down the page.

Who is it that you're dressing up as?.

This isn't just a 'few people' living in the extreme areas of the country though. This is anybody living north of London!. Collectormania Glasgow tiny in comparison to any of the shows they run, and is therefore not a show many on the whole would consider travelling large distances to go to. As Dufrese said, we're not judging the show, only its poor choice in terms of location.

Most people from the north, will be coming either from the M40, or M1, or from the west the M4. Whilst its not 'difficult', its just inconvenient, and a puzzling choice. What time is anybody not staying over, going to have to get up to have a reasonable chance of getting an autograph?. Thats the first time I've ever heard anybody going clockwise ever say 'no problems with traffic' and 'M25' in the same sentence.

Wow! thats such a horrible place to get to, for anybody north of London. I guess the local people, and those who are in it for the weekend are fine. But surely this might put off day ticket holders, or more casual fans; epecially if there is danger of queues, etc. How about expanding Collectormania Milton Keynes?, I guess thats all too late.

'10,000's"

Read my posts again. Whilst they did primarily talk about the moonwalkers, I regularly talked about Hollywood stars, and the guys from the war. If I then say where are these on the guest list, I get told I'm being negative. All I was arguing was that we have less time to meet these guys and now one show a year, so lets get them back on board, and you all kicked off against me!.

It seems I now deserve insulting. Cheers. This is fast becoming 'you lot' and 'me', thats certainly not what I wanted. I just wanted some debate because I was interested and a fan of the show, and the guests it brings over. I can't comment further sorry.

Don't these events operate differently to shops or other businesses 'We' being people who support the event, people who are passionate about it, and show enough interest to want to sit here all day and debate a way forward. But if you're unhappy with the term, I won't use it, its just 'you' and 'us' sounds a bit odd. I'm not negavite either (I was even suggesting to put prices up!). I'm happy that I'm going to meet a few of the guests there. I'd just be more excited if I was going to meet more. It seems debate though isn't welcome. So lets cut this shot. I hope that next year is a bit more to mine and others liking.

Some how the American shows can have roughly 10-20 of them at the same show, but expecting more than one in England at a time is pushing the boat out, and asking people to go bankrupt. Even I'd be foolish to think that we could do anything like the Space show line-ups quoted. But now we have one show a year, its more important that we raise our game a little. In terms of time, every show now counts. I also clearly stated that the prices will rise a little too. At the end of the day my suggestion was to get significant 'space guests' and 'hollywood stars' bums on seats!. Something American show's are doing a whole much better than us right now. Autographica should be the worlds! (europes? :) ) leading Autograph show. Is it?, look at our line-up!

Whilst you can give me this lecture about peoples spending. My core point is still true, either we get them here so they can sign, or we use your method and they never come. As I've pointed out now too many times, with the new one show a year, we only have a few shows left. Are you really surprised that Tom had less traffic. The previous appearance was billed as the last ever. If you really wanted it, or even you were even on the fence - my bet given you were told it was the only chance you'd get - you'd buy one. Hence demand was less. Collecting moonwalkers is very addictive, and everybody involved is probably at various stages of trying to obtain the illusive complete set. Given the prices it surly puts off the 'average' collector. I'm sure like collecting random Bond girls, you're either 'in', 'out', or 'joining' (ready to spend too much time arguing on internet forums ) Is my post really that outrageous that I should 'start my own show'. I've said that maybe for a 'special show' we should maybe consider paying a few pounds extra. Not hundreds, not thousands.... a few pounds!. So we don't get this type of line-up again. Some people are so mean.

I do get flustrated with comments like these, hindsight is such a wonderful thing. Maybe you should have reminded us about this when this post was made?

But we know there ARE Hollywood legends on the autograph circuit, just as we know there ARE moonwalkers. It's just how you get them in the net. I'd rather be bitching that its going to cost me £x more to meet somebody significant, than having to wait another 12 months to see a line-up matching this one. As with the space guests the time is now ticking. One show a year doesn't leave us many opportunities.