"What is your favourite Trade Show?" Topic

As the title says, which is your favourite trade show to attend?

And why?

You can list a couple if you struggle to choose.

I'm just curious really, looking at adding new shows to the Bad Squiddo tour and thought why not see what comes out of the horse's mouth.

Cheers
Annie

Difficult to choose between Carronade and Claymore.

I could name a few others as I do more than ten a year.

The Newark based shows – Hammerhead and both Partisans – are good venues and a good range of traders. Vappnartak at York is always good and busy. I have to say Fiasco because my club runs it. Derby used to be, but the new venue is too far out of the way for me. St Helens is good in the summer.

Durham, small but very friendly!
Battleground, Larger, and very good place to meet people.

Both are great shows!

Attack at Devizes. Not large by any means but lots of great traders and its also the show where most of my old wargaming friends turn up so its great for me from a social perspective.

SELWG – it is within walking distance from hoe, is reasonably priced, a good time of year, and has a good selection of traders..

I like Crisis in Antwerp a lot.
So many (new) things to see. And so many friends to meet. A day is too short for Crisis!

Phoenix in June. But there again we run that one so we may be a little biased.

My regular shows are…

Cavalier in Tunbridge. Nice little local show.
Salute…obviously
Colours at Newbury
SELWG at Crystal Palace which is closest to home.

Devizes Attack – it's only 5 minutes away…!

DBDD

Probably best still surviving up here in the 'North' is York, Derby is, well, not in Derby any more and was terrible last year. I enjoyed my first visit to Carronade last year and our local show Phalanx is good. Fiasco in Leeds is my other regular event and that usually throws up something interesting every year to keep me going back.

Want to get to Joy of 6 this year but every year so far it has clashed with family events.

By spelling and responses, you must be talking about Britain. In the USA a trade show is restricted to wholesalers and retail stores. It is where manufacturers show off new products available. Some wholesalers as well. A few shows will end the show with a short open house for the public.
A local, regional or national gaming show is open to the public. Most have fewer dealers though some like Origins, Historicon and Gencon for example will attract thousands.
As a retailer, I do get to go to both. Most have their own unique attraction.

In the UK any wargaming event is usually described as a 'show', probably the OP uses the term to only include events where traders are present. We tend not to use the term 'convention' much over this side of the pond.

Outside wargaming 'trade show' has much the same meaning as in the USA though some are open to the public for an entry fee (whereas potential customers usually get in for free by invitation).

Can't say that I know of any purely wargaming trade events in the UK but there are ones for games and toys in other parts of Europe – particularly in Germany.

CES with electricity.

Carronade in Falkirk and Vapnartak in York