What do folk think about virtual exhibitions?

Chris Morris · November 09, 2020, 08:22:27 AM

I have "visited" a few virtual exhibitions and have mixed opinions. One the one hand they are better than nothing but on the other I really don't they they are great. I have found myself watching a few of these virtual events but, unlike some exhibitions, I can't say I'm exactly counting the days until the next one. Don't get me wrong, I fully appreciate the very significant amount of work that goes into all aspects of creating a virtual exhibition, but is it worth it for the number of folk who visit? I say this as someone who has invested quite a bit of time making some videos for the Warley "usually NEC but virtual this year" show. I'm very happy to support this event and have done the very best I can to make something interesting for virtual visitors. Being realistic though I really don't expect many modellers will actually visit the online show.

Just wondering how others view these virtual events? Obviously be careful not to insult anyone's work and always be appreciative of the fact that a number of people will have put a lot of work into these virtual exhibitions. My questions are - do folk think they are worth the effort and do any of you visit them?

For starters my view is that virtual exhibitions aren't great. I don't think they will draw thousands of visitors although I would be very happy to be proven wrong on this. Having said that I see the exhibition side of the hobby as being very important and this is just about the only way of keeping the spirit of exhibitions alive at the moment. So my conclusion is that they are just about worthwhile as a short term means of keeping interest alive and reminding folk that there will be proper exhibitions again one day.

Incidentally the Warley Virtual Event will be on 28th & 29th November.

NScaleNotes · November 09, 2020, 08:39:27 AM

Having visited the World of Railways one this weekend I'd say it depends on why you're going to the exhibition... now bear with me here because that might seem like a strange thing to say.
If it's just to look at the layouts then they are probably fine with the slight caveat that the eye of the camera is much harsher than the eye of the human. I spot things in a photo that'd never be visible in person and I find that can detract from my enjoyment of the models. Plus maybe there's a chance you might not click to look on something you don't think would interest you whereas at a show you'd see it and perhaps discover something new.

But if you are going because it's a chance for you to bump into old friends, pick-up a bargain and have a chat with the operators etc etc then you'd probably find them lacking.

I enjoyed the one I visited, particularly as it featured Blueball Summit and would definitely take a look around another but yes it'd be nice to be able to go to an actual exhibition again. Apart from the rucksack toating crowds, don't miss them at all

Chris Morris · November 09, 2020, 08:49:36 AM

Quote from: NScaleNotes on November 09, 2020, 08:39:27 AM

But if you are going because it's a chance for you to bump into old friends, pick-up a bargain and have a chat with the operators etc etc then you'd probably find them lacking.

I reckon I sometimes spend more time chatting to folk than I do looking at the exhibits. Also I can pay cash that just happens to have accumulated in my wallet for locos at exhibitions whereas when I buy online it all goes through the joint bank account and is seen by SWMBO.

I guess it might be possible for a virtual event to include the chance of an online chat with layout owners.

longbow · November 09, 2020, 08:51:18 AM

The recent Gauge O Guild Virtual Show attracted over 4000 visitors and has been widely hailed by the 7mm community as a great success. Most of the show can still be viewed here:

https://www.gaugeoguild.com/virtual2020/mainhall.aspx

Calnefoxile · November 09, 2020, 08:55:00 AM

I've got mixed feelings about them:

1. They are great to dip in & out of.
2. Better access to the manufacturers, I enjoyed the World of Railways interviews of the Manufacturers, but this doesn't give you the opportunity to question them directly.
3. I'd prefer to see videos of the Layouts rather than stills photo's, I got bored just looking at photos after a while.
4. No opportunity to 'browse' the Traders and grab a bargain.
5. No chance to bump into friends and have a natter over a brew & cake.
6. SWMBO disturbing me whilst I'm watching stuff on the Computer (Whoops might be the wrong thread

)
7. Tea, Lunch & Cake is free

Just my thoughts.

Neal.

Chris Morris · November 09, 2020, 09:09:09 AM

Quote from: longbow on November 09, 2020, 08:51:18 AM
The recent Gauge O Guild Virtual Show attracted over 4000 visitors and has been widely hailed by the 7mm community as a great success. Most of the show can still be viewed here:

https://www.gaugeoguild.com/virtual2020/mainhall.aspx

It's great to know there was a high attendance.

port perran · November 09, 2020, 09:24:09 AM

I'm just in the throes of co-organising my club's Virtual Christmas Exhibition.
We staged our first on-line event in May which was well received but was put together very much at the last minute so was a bit rushed and messy. However, we learned a lot from that.
With the Christmas Show we're trying to adopt the "something for all" approach with a mx of gauges, eras, areas, layout types etc.
We have a mix of presentations from traditional videos, videos plus stills and photographic montages.
Our thinking is that the viewer can skip past sections which are not of interest to them - much as you might do at a real show or perhaps re-watch those bits which really grab your attention.
We've also gone for a mix of talk throughs, natural sound background, sound fitted locos and musical background.
So....we'll see how it goes.

dannyboy · November 09, 2020, 09:25:31 AM

Virtual exhibitions are a way to see what is happening in the world of model railways, but, usually, that can all be found in the numerous trade advert's that keep appearing in my inbox. At a real exhibition, you can get to see everything that is there just by walking around, whereas, with the virtual exhibition, you can look at the contents page and decide that a particular item does not interest you, so you might be missing out by not visiting. But there is always the NGF to see layouts and chat with 'friends'. I visited the World of Railways a few times this weekend and, whilst I, in the main, enjoyed my visits, the atmosphere was not there. Virtual exhibitions are handy to have, when there is no alternative and, of course, they are cheaper!

longbow · November 09, 2020, 09:47:17 AM

Having now attended the GOG and Scalefour virtual shows and seen the feedback from the organisers and other attendees, I'm fully persuaded that they will become a growing part of the hobby. The NGS should be making plans.

thebrighton · November 09, 2020, 09:53:23 AM

For me if I attend an exhibition I will wander round and look at all the layouts irrespective of whether they are in my sphere of interest or not mainly to look at the modelling techniques to pick up ideas etc for my own use. Having a chat is also a benefit.
With virtual exhibitions I take a look at what layouts are on offer and decide which if any I am interested in. Being tied to what the virtual exhibition is showing prevents me from looking at the aspects I want to. With that in mind I entered the World of Railways at weekend, looked at the contents and left. I fully expect they were great layouts in the flesh but a virtual tour of what the producer thinks I should be looking at doesn't do it for me, sorry.

JonMann · November 09, 2020, 09:54:40 AM

Hornby Magazines Great Electric Train Show Virtual exhibition has 68000 views as of this reply. I enjoyed it and with there not being actual shows on this year it is a great way of inspiring people.

njee20 · November 09, 2020, 10:26:12 AM

I hadn't seen any of them, but this prompted me to go and watch the Virtual GETS on YouTube, I watched the segment on Oak Road, which I enjoyed. Different to a real exhibition, but i quite like the interview style.

I'm not really that bothered conceptually though; there's so much content to consume online anyway, and I rarely watch videos (not sure why!).

Newportnobby · November 09, 2020, 10:57:13 AM

My routine for exhibitions is:-
1. Get a coffee
2. Trawl the trade stands
3. Get a coffee
4. Check out 50% of the layouts
5. Get a coffee and sausage/bacon roll.
6. Check out the other 50% of the layouts
7. Get a coffee before leaving.

Wherever possible I try to make shows a social occasion so will have arranged to meet up with any other NGF members beforehand. I find the scrum in front of some layouts off putting as I do like to take pics (for the forum, of course) and have a chat with operators if they are available.

As for virtual shows, the coffee is freely available, there is no social interaction, no disappointment for not finding a bargain, pics don't do much for me but vids do, so with no attendees I'd like to think there is more opportunity for layout owners to showcase their layout. Most of all, virtual shows are odour free!

There are good and bad points.

OffshoreAlan · November 09, 2020, 11:25:18 AM

No bloody rucksacks - luxury.

Woodenhead · November 09, 2020, 11:45:09 AM

At the end of the day, none of us want virtual exhibitions to be as good or better than a real one - it would be the end of face to face exhibitions if they were that good.

They serve a purpose - a focal point for manufacturers to give updates, a bit of retail opportunity and a reminder of what we are missing.

I quite enjoyed the World of Railways one at the weekend, some nice interviews on it.