"Post-Salute Hangover...the review" Topic

Now that I've physically recovered from Salute 2015 and had time to pour over my lovely booty, what were my highs and lows of this year's show?

VENUE: The Warlords do their best to turn a sow's ear into a silken purse with each year seeing an innovation to help improve things. The last two years has seen the introduction of another hall for people to queue in so that the concourse doesn't become overcrowded. Now whether this is done to make life easier or to keep the swathe of hairy fat men who largely go by the name of Dave away from the gaze of the fit, beautiful people at the London Marathon registration and the even more beautiful people who came to the Sherlocked convention is anyone's guess.

Excel's problems have long been discussed but frankly the show is too big to go anywhere else. Salute is the equivalent of The Motor Show at the NEC and it's in the space that it deserves. Sure the Goodwood Festival of Speed is nicer than the Motor Show, but the latter can only fit in the NEC and so it is with Salute.

THE GAMES: More than a lot of recent Salute themes, Agincourt was all about with a plethora of games on the subject and all doing something a little different. There were plenty of BIG games on offer and by that I don't mean 1000s of figures, I mean big models. Star Wars Hoth battles, age of sail games and quintessentially the Stingray game. Lots of kids in attendance and getting stuck into these kinds of games, which is good. The participation games were all busy…which is a sure sign that more are needed at showcase events such as Salute.

THE TRADERS: I've got to say that at every trade stand I went to, I was met with courteous service and I even snagged some impromptu discounts. Salute is very much a shopping experience and the range of products and stalls was great as you would expect. I didn't see so many 2nd hand boardgames on offer as in previous years…I guess everyone's holding onto their old SPI games or else I didn't spot them lurking.

Honourable mentions go to:
Stafford Games: Thanks for putting up with the GWACA club and our convoluted shopping lists.
Crooked Dice: It's like hanging out with old friends and only realising afterwards that you've handed them £50.00 GBP without flinching. Fantastic miniatures, great games, wonderful people.
Magnetic Bases/Coritani: American style service with English accents. "How are you enjoying the show?" I was greeted with. Exhausted…hungry…
Ainsty: Like Crooked Dice, a nice team there and good service even though they are extremely busy at these shows.
Marquee Models: Keith there was offering some great discounted items on the day. Anyone who manages to make me depart from my shopping list to buy something not on my gaming radar is doing their job.
Leisure Games: A board and RPG oasis in the miniatures desert.
Sally 4th: No products for sale here, but the team were very polite and eager to help answer my questions about their products…I even got a show discount for an upcoming mail order.

THE ODDS AND ENDS: Were Henry Hyde and Guy Bowers there or were they just hiding from me? After queuing for Salute, the last thing I would want to do is queue again within the show and yet that's what lots of people were doing at one trade stand. I understand they were offering a very special product but a byproduct was that this queue was starting to get in the way of other trade stands and games. The Wargames Illustrated hobby school was a good idea and I hope it did well. It was difficult getting in a game on the day as all participation games seemed to be doing great business…more of them and fewer demo games next time. Less uncommunicative gamers and traders than in previous years…this may not be a classic Salute, but it was a friendlier one.

As a "Dave" I resent the implications of your second paragraph. I may be hairy (and a bit fat) but I am very beautiful and London's fit people would be extremely privileged to cast their jaundiced eyes on me!

Could not believe the queue at the Forge World stand…what was so important they had to buy there at Salute?

Event only exclusive stuff and no postage charges. Makes a massive difference in Forgeworld purchasing.

Thanks for AAR Uber
C

the hobby would collapse without all the Daves that are about

@Hammerhead-well said that man. Mind you, In our club it's Andy's that keep it going.

I went with a "Dave" (he doesn't sweat much though, and he's tall, and not fat). John, who I also went with IS very hairy though.

How big is Alexandra Palace inside by comparison?

big enough for most hobby Daves in the UK

I think the main Ally Pally hall isn't as big as Excel. I see where you're going with this idea, Les, and in theory it would be nice but I have a sneaking suspicion it isn't as big.

I looked into Ally Pally and the costs were an instant no no for me.

'I went with a "Dave" (he doesn't sweat much though, and he's tall, and not fat). John, who I also went with IS very hairy though.'

I would argue, but it's true, I have to shave my gums.

John

Ally Pally hosts a big model railway show that I've been to. I'd say it was big enough inside. As to cost – well the model railway show ran for two days and entrance fee was about £12.00 GBP If that hobby can do it why can't the wargames hobby? Given that the venue has: free parking, a railway station very close and rather more character than Excel I'd say it could be possible.

How much more expensive is it than Excel?

How big is Alexandra Palace inside by comparison?

As a member of the Warlords Committee when the decision to move was made, we did our homework a few years back when we were looking for an exit from Olympia.

We looked at Alexandra Palace. In 2005 it was too small and too expensive. I doubt much has changed.

Also, car parking is not as good, if I read it correctly. With up to 8000 visitors this year (including club members putting on displays) ya need a lot of car parking…

John T