Capel Manor 'celebration of trees' feedback required

[raafbeard]

My input, I always thought there was a bit gap left when Aborecology didn't turn up, they used to put on a good display.

 

Loosing the ax men wouldn't help either, although I can't blame them as it seems a big effort for them to turn up and put on a display.

 

I think maybe some more talks, some expert speakers, bigger climbing comp, maybe bands and camping? as well as more woodland/countryside craft type exhibitors, maybe smallscale carving comp? would help.

 

Its a lot to organise for a college but if the only exhibitors are equipment suplliers then it will struggle as most visitors won't be there to invest in kit, least not when times are lean for most.

 

Weather and proximity to Cutters and Climbers will also play a part.

[Drayton tree care]

That really isnt the case Matty. Its a good event yes, but it doesnt draw that big of a crowd and to be honest it is still mostly locals for the large part.

 

I know what your saying Steve but the thing is it used to pull in the big crowds. It used to be heaving with people with loads more to look at loads more demos and comps

[PeteB]

A trade show is set up with one main objective but many peripheral gains. If the first doesn't happen, then, quite quickly, the others cease to happen too.

 

Exhibitors are there to sell stuff. If nowt gets sold, then why would they pay to be there? No exhibitors means no visitors! Who wants to drive a distance to stand in a field. Of course, other factors do come into the equation like decent food, decent bogs, and some form of entertainment etc.

 

But for suppliers like ourselves, where a stand costs a considerable amount to buy, stock, man, then remove - a return is necessary. Our "show" budget cannot stand everyshow, but on balance over the last few years, visitor numbers and the crucial types have declined rapidly! Joe Public doesn't buy woodchippers but they enjoyed the spectacle and the walk around the gardens and that doesn't pay for our time and effort.

 

The management and marketing people need to decide what their objective is and make a concerted effort to achieve that instead of sitting back and hoping something happens.

 

Is it a trade show to attract buyers of arb equipment to the suppliers, or is it a college revenue raiser, a spectacle for the local public?

[David Humphries]

Thats a very useful take on the situation, thank you Pete

 

 

 

 

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[Agent-Arb]

I too, have been to everyone since 2004, apart from this year. The reason I didn't bother this year to drive to the nearest arb show to me, a mere 40 mins in the motor, was due to last years disappointment efforts on Capel's part.

 

I am a great believer in you have to help yourself, before other people will help you. I couldn't believe they had their Hort show the week before the Celeb of Trees last year.

There is so much crossover between the two that I cannot believe they didn't realise an opportunity. Just having the additional traffic from another type of show would help everyone feel better. People would pick up in the buzz and leave feeling that would go back the next year. Because there is a lack of footfall it will be difficult to get back on track. The more people expected, the more stands there will be and general interest.

 

 

That's the one; joint event leading to greater footfall & more exhibitors.

Might go a good way to putting this event back in peoples calender.

 

If Capel pull out the stops on organising it in good time & getting exhibitors back/more to commit to it & Publicise this, then they stand a chance of it picking up. If they don't remedy anything it's probably not going to survive.

 

It was a bad move half filling 2 fields which looks to have lead many not to bother this time round. I've only been to the last 2 however, but I do see that they have the arena to make a great show & it would be a shame if it became one of the ones 'back in the day'.

Edited June 12, 2013 by David Humphries