My first 'National' - wow

Glad to hear your first experience was a good one Sparky. see you at Sandringham next year ? 

Alison

Our first one to we were gob smacked at the amount of vans and MH already pitched on the Friday when we arrived. We had a very good weekend and will be going to Sandringham for sure.

Glad people enjoyed the event at Weston Park.  I've visited several Nationals as day visitors, but we've never managed to take the caravan.  Sadly, we couldn't get there at all this year - just having a really busy and difficult time at the moment.  Hope everyone had a good time.

David 

Also my first national and again wow so many vans in one place was impressive as was the organisation to get it all set up . Unfortunatly ive gotta say wouldnt do it again . Would have liked to have seen more accessory and gadget stalls in the main arena but hey thats just me .

Fatdad, I agree. This was one of the arguments last year and the year before. The CC really has to attract more trade stands to the Natiinal and I'm afraid to say the only way they are going to do that is lower prices. Lower prices mean more exhibitors are interested = more trade stands. The problem is that why go to all the trouble to set up at the National and pay a huge fee for the privalige when you can sit in a room and sell over the web!! The National is a fantastic event and unfortunately I couldn't make it this year. The organisation that goes into it is awesome and the team should be heartily congratulated BUT if they don't attract more trade stands I can see it starting to die. If you read the threads regarding last years National you'll see the same arguments. Not only trade stands but day visitors should be encouraged too as that will help the trade stands. I know the fee to get in was £11 - what was it this year???

For those who went this year and in past years, did he club appear take note of the comments from the surveys, or just did a business as usual? We didn't go this year as not overly impressed with the 2015 National, that was my wife's first however I've attended several over the last 40 years.

Noted yet another stately home for the future events.

As Merve says it is not the price for trade stands to attend the national, it is the competition, why bother setting up a stand for several days when you could be sitting in the comfort of your own home/office selling online, no transport costs of getting the stand and stock and the people to man them to the venue. Be honest now how many of you still buy accessories from local dealers, yes research there have a look and see what you want to buy but always go home and research online too to see if you can get it cheaper - it is the way of the world now sadly, so there is absolutely no incentive for big traders to attend any more, even Towsure had a very small stall last time I was there and just a pile of catalogues. IMHO, our best hope is to appeal to local dealers/traders to each National who have stock they want to get rid of.

Alison

The National is not the place to go for trade stands. In my view it is not so much they can sell on line but the fact the National is one of the smaller shows during the year and it does not attract the day visitors. If you want to see lots of trade stands try one of the other shows e.g. >Warners< especially the Pererborough National and the Western Motorhome show ( caravanners also attend both)

peedee

The National is not the place to go for trade stands. In my view it is not so much they can sell on line but the fact the National is one of the smaller shows during the year and it does not attract the day visitors. If you want to see lots of trade stands try one of the other shows e.g. >Warners< especially the Pererborough National and the Western Motorhome show ( caravanners also attend both)

peedee

Write your comments here...I agree but I thought that members were warned off, by the forum police, about mentioning the events put on by Warners on this forum !!

Bill

Well the Club hosts a stand at both the above and at Peterborough there is a Club area managed by the Beds Centre.  The Club usually highlights these shows in the magazine as well but having had at least one posts Deleted User for such comments I understand what you mean. It probably depends how the police are feeling on the day.

peedee