Exhibition Layout Database

[Newportnobby]

Not gauge specific so I didn't put this under 'N Gauge Discussion'

Is there such a thing as a layout database Exhibition Managers could use when planning their show? I'd suggest the following would greatly help them but would like to hear of any more....

Type of layout - i.e. roundy roundy, end to end, or circular
Footprint
Gauge
Era
Number of operators
DC/DCC
Available within what travelling distance
Brief description (maybe with a word limit)
Link to any YouTube/Flickr films (other hosting sites are available)

@martyn @Chris Morris
As two of the forums main exhibitors, what do you think of the idea please?

I have no knowledge or training in databases which precludes me from volunteering to compile such a database if it were to be considered useful

[GrahamB]

https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/

[Newportnobby]

Thanks, Graham.
I didn't expect the idea to be an original one and UK Model Shops would be the natural choice to find one but although I use that site to get details of shows I've never spotted that

[martyn]

Good idea, I didn't knoiw that part of the UK Model shops webpage includd layouts.

Have to see if we can add James Street.

Thanks for the link, GrahamB

Martyn

[crewearpley40]

Graham @GrahamB
Martyn @martyn

https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/clubs/A/Exhibition


Click tab events

https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/exhibitions


Where it says Click submission firm

Please https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/exhibitions

Click

https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/form/event


Good luck

Hope helps

[PLD]

Graham @GrahamB
Martyn @martyn

https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/clubs/A/Exhibition


Click tab events

https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/exhibitions


Where it says Click submission firm

Please https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/exhibitions

Click

https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/form/event


Good luck

Hope helps

That's the events listing, not the layouts directory 

[ntpntpntp]

The thing is, I think most exhibition managers select and invite layouts based on personal observation or recommendations from trusted sources.  For example they've seen it working nicely at another show and probably had a chat with the owner.  I'm not sure how many will invite just based on it being listed in a database?

If the above is the case, how does one get a new layout invited to a first show? My first ever was due to my club inviting me to exhibit something back in the late 70s, and even that was only after visiting and seeing it in operation.  I guess once you're "known" on the exhibition circuit people are more likely to trust your subsequent layouts will be of similar (or even better) standard  

Presumably a database would need to store contact info, so does it then come under GDPR?

[The Q]

I would assume that you are contacted through the website, that would avoid gpdr except for the website itself.

[GrahamB]

The thing is, I think most exhibition managers select and invite layouts based on personal observation or recommendations from trusted sources.  For example they've seen it working nicely at another show and probably had a chat with the owner.  I'm not sure how many will invite just based on it being listed in a database?

If the above is the case, how does one get a new layout invited to a first show? My first ever was due to my club inviting me to exhibit something back in the late 70s, and even that was only after visiting and seeing it in operation.  I guess once you're "known" on the exhibition circuit people are more likely to trust your subsequent layouts will be of similar (or even better) standard  

Presumably a database would need to store contact info, so does it then come under GDPR?

You can find Southwark Bridge as the last entry under Kent at https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/elayouts/1#KENT but, to be fair, I've never received an invitation that way.

Southwark Bridge first appeared at my home club's exhibition at Tonbridge. I produce a double sided information sheet which I make available upon request and further invites resulted from that and future exhibitions. The club chairman also receives the odd request for suggestions and we respond if available or interested.

I've also set up a small website at https://southwarkbridge.wixsite.com/ngauge which has, to date, generated one invite. The furthest we are straying is Southampton in 2025. Being based in Kent I doubt we will stray much further. Although we're up for it, with two operators, I have to accept that travelling from Kent, we can get expensive for exhibition managers to justify for a small layout and life gets awkward at home if I get my sums wrong. 

[GrahamB]

I would assume that you are contacted through the website, that would avoid gpdr except for the website itself.

Correct. I've also listed my mobile. Contact details are under my control.

[Chris Morris]

As has been said, the big problem with selecting layouts from a database is that you can't fully know what you are getting just from photos. Most exhibition managers visit exhibitions and invite the layouts they like to their exhibition. Getting started with a first exhibition can be tricky. Being a member of a club will certainly help with this. I really recommend joining a club as the best way of getting your layout on the exhibition circuit as you get a lot of contacts.

Being perhaps too blunt, a good layout at a reasonable sized exhibition is likely to attract more invitations to other shows. This will not always happen of course. I have been to shows and received no further invites but I generally get a couple discussions about going to other exhibitions at most shows. Perhaps oddly the Warley NEC show is about the worst for getting invitations to other shows for me. A below average or uninteresting layout will not receive any further invitations.