Phoenix Trade Show

[Chapuis]

Speaking as a dealer, I thought it was a really good few days. Despite the NRA putting someone else in our pitch we did better than last year. It was busier everyday and was worth us decamping from the shop to there for 4 days. We were outside which is where we like it. But the spacious marquee is a much better idea than that pokey old Pavilion.

We did quite lot of show specials which lots of people took advantage of. If you were in the market for anything ammo / reloading / optical or to accessorise your firearm we had a massive selection on the stand (in fact we took over 2 tons of gear with us!!!) and much of it was priced less than on our website. It's good to hear some people enjoyed the experience, we'll almost certainly be there next year too.

As to the food, we enjoyed the Piggy Rolls on the Friday but spent the rest of the time eating in the Army. £5 for a eat as much as you like Full English every morning was an perfect start to the incredibly busy days!

Dealers like us are only going to invest in going if there's punter there! I'd heard that the competition shooting was pretty much full every day, and it certainly seemed busier than last year. If you've not been before, give it a go! And don't forget the Trafalgar later in the year, we'll probably be there too!

I didn't go to the Phoenix this year but have to agree with you, anything had to be better than the grotty pavilion. The place was an absolute disgrace and certainly not made anymore inviting by the smell from the greasy spoon canteen that was operating there and stinking out the entire building.
I certainly never ate in there, I couldn't think of anywhere more unappealing to eat.
There's certainly no shortage of eating places on camp and many such as the army are pretty good value for money, it's just a matter of knowing where to look.

[MistAgain]

Lack lustre don`t even cut it this year !! It was OVER priced, UNDER supported by dealers, Food non existent(almost) missed the cooked breakfast set up., all in all totally rubbish. Last year was poor but this year abysmal, the tented area was like something from a bygone age in Russia. I place the blame on the NRA from closing the main hall and perhaps increasing the rent.i looked everywhere for a bog standard Mossberg 500, could I find one, could I hell. Last year there were at least 4 but no space then.
This has gone down over the last couple of years and I took a new shooter with me this year, he was not impressed. I will not be going again as I suspect lots of others wont either.

Lack lustre, maybe.
Over priced , I dont think so .
Under supported by dealers , do you blame them considering the price the NRA charged .
Food, more than last year was available , and again considering what the NRA charged for the food pitches you will never get top flight catering risking the trip to Bisley.

Just look at the history of the Phoenix Show .

When the NPA and a certain Mr C sold out pistol shooters and ran away , the NRA Blazers jumped with joy , “no more pesky pistol shooters” was the feeling .

But a few dedicated people put together a package of competitions to replace Pistol AD .
They risked their own money that we would support them and Shaun Hopwood offered the use of the Pavilion for a trade show, and it is rumoured backed the Phoenix weekend with his own money.

When the NRA backed trade show took place in the NSRA building there was a £5.00 entry charge,
those who went there kicked up such a stink about the set up that they were refunded , and spent their money in the Pavilion.

Shauns only mistake in the past was not insisting that traders who booked tables should be there for the whole 3 days , but he argued that some first class small time dealers could not get the time to spend 3 days at Bisley .

When the NRA got Shaun to surrender his lease, it seemed that they forgot about the trade show and it was thanks to a couple of dealers that the trade show ever took place , even if some aspects of it were a shambles.

This year the tent wasnt bad , at least I could walk up and down without having to fight my way through the crowds . Although I am told that the table costs were almost equal to prime office space rental per square foot , so I wonder how any dealer could make a profit .

What is the future for the show ?

The tent is modular so it can be extended if enough dealers can afford the charges . And it seems there are plans in the pipeline to tarmac or hardcore that whole area and cut down some of the trees so maybe that will reduce the flooding that happened as the dealers were packing up .

So maybe the NRA has realised that the trade show is an essential part of the Phoenix weekend.

[meles meles]

We quite enjoyed our visit to the Phoenix & Trade Show.

There was plenty of food if you knew where to look. Clays always provide food and entertainment in equal measure: it's worth the money for what is a decent breakfast and the floorshow is free. If they ever became efficient and customer focused it would take the edge off it. The Army and sundry other clubs provide cost competitive scran without the drama but a charm of their own, and the stalls outside the tent seemed to be doing a brisk trade and the prices weren't unreasonable compared with similar events.

The tent was a big improvement over the pavilion of yesteryear: plenty of room to move about, light and airy, no odd smells (well, barring Jabba the Hutt starting to melt on Friday). A wide range of dealers and prices covering all ranges. Some things affordable, others less so but a reasonable amount of choice.

Nice people everywhere too. Had a good chat with the Black Rifle oomans, bought some widgets and doodahs. Renewed acquaintances with Chris at C&G, drooled over the shiny stuff at several stands, turned our snout up at others. All in all, a grand day out and an excellent prelude to some shootin'



ps. regardin' "lack lustre." You oomans may not be able to polish a turd but it can be rolled in glitter.....

[monkeyhanger]

i made the 300 mile trip down to bisley on the friday. IMO the trade show was poor but i do commend those traders who bother to turn up and make it what it is. More traders should take the opportunity , turn up and promote their buisness. Highlights for me were handling and looking over, the ivor johnson all steel .22lbp, browning buckmark and the fantastic volquartson .22lbp. All in one place, which was great . Also the SGC lever release rifles. Thanks to Neil Jones for showing me his Smith and Wesson based Merkle custom LBR, which i thought was fantastic. Thanks to Mike Chinery at Stockade products for turning up and showing off all that volquartson goodness. C G firearms always have a well stocked display, as does Portsmouth gun centre and Wentworth shooting supplies. Nice to see Colin Cooper custom knives aswell and lets not forget Fultons, HPS and William Evans, all worth a jolly good look around. On the ranges, Mellville was busy and it was quite a sight, to see 10-15 lever action rifles, all going bang together. So, to summarise, if you dont go, you dont get to see. It does need to improve, but Friday was busy and i,m sure a few folks, went away happy.

[Woodworm]

I spent 3 days working on the H.B.S.A stand, all I can say is that the feed back I got was all positive, yes it was hot in the marquee, but it could have been cold and wet, I know what i'd prefer, there was room between the stands and with a good buzz of 'gun talk' all in all a good show.
I'm not a processed food eater usually but the burgers at £5 were a good quality and tasty, if the price is an issue bring your own.
I didn't get any bargains but managed to buy a load of stuff at internet prices and done the old fashioned thing of talking to the person that was selling me the items.
With the traders having to go through the set up and take down process (having done it each day, for the 3 days, with only a few bits and pieces) is quite a logistical nightmare, with no doubt some not making a fortune, you can only applaud the people that do show up.
The good old days will never return, but if we can support and build on what we have it can only get better.
Always the optimist,
Colin.

[dave_303]

I went on Friday to collect powder & primers met Steven Downs who used to be a RFD some years ago but now is retired looked well. Got some great deals from him over the years.

Glad to hear he's about, he was a first class RFD, very upset when he closed up shop in Bristol.

[nunhead]

The REAL problem for traders was that the NRA charged THREE TIMES what Shaun used to...... which ensured that some of the smaller dealers didn't come.
They didn't do much advertising -- relying on shooters at the meeting?
Most shooters probably have what they want in terms of guns, so the biggest turnover would be in accessories and consumables. .... that also makes it uneconomic for many RFDs.

There were a few tables of collector guns which would have been more suited to an Antique & Vintage Arms Fair but these have been killed by the NRA taking over the Pavilion and totally altering its function --- I really can't see WHY , apart from self aggrandizing of the New Regime. ..... surely there was enough space elsewhere ?

I was told that there will be NO Umbrella Tent at the Imperial this year, so that will kill the HBSA Arms Fair.

Progress.?

[dromia]

Jim like me you lack the 21st century "vision" of hi volume sales and lowest common profit maker.

Time for the knowledgable specialist who deals in individual service and items is no longer valued in the NRA's business model get the big profit makers in and screw them hard. Also their Bisley centric view means that dealers who have to travel are hit with extra travel and associated costs making it very difficult for them to have a sound business reason for attending.

[kennyc]

Jim like me you lack the 21st century "vision" of hi volume sales and lowest common profit maker.

Time for the knowledgable specialist who deals in individual service and items is no longer valued in the NRA's business model get the big profit makers in and screw them hard. Also their Bisley centric view means that dealers who have to travel are hit with extra travel and associated costs making it very difficult for them to have a sound business reason for attending.

It's a business for God's sake! If there's no money to be made don't go! The days of miserable buggers sitting around with last decades stock maybe gone if so good riddance! The Phoenix is a trade show for traders to sell to punters if it doesn't make money it disappears ! I went along and spent money, a lot of others did as well , maybe the fabled deals of old weren't there but really ? Were they ever? Times have changed and at least the presentation was an improvement. Perhaps the lower attendance was due to previous years which have not been stellar? Perhaps a lot of people had already made up their minds about it in advance !We need a rule similar to the one about gunshop experiences? Except referring to the NRA and Bisley!

[nfrancis]

Lack lustre, maybe.
Over priced , I dont think so .
Under supported by dealers , do you blame them considering the price the NRA charged .
Food, more than last year was available , and again considering what the NRA charged for the food pitches you will never get top flight catering risking the trip to Bisley.

Just look at the history of the Phoenix Show .

When the NPA and a certain Mr C sold out pistol shooters and ran away , the NRA Blazers jumped with joy , “no more pesky pistol shooters” was the feeling .

But a few dedicated people put together a package of competitions to replace Pistol AD .
They risked their own money that we would support them and Shaun Hopwood offered the use of the Pavilion for a trade show, and it is rumoured backed the Phoenix weekend with his own money.

When the NRA backed trade show took place in the NSRA building there was a £5.00 entry charge,
those who went there kicked up such a stink about the set up that they were refunded , and spent their money in the Pavilion.

Shauns only mistake in the past was not insisting that traders who booked tables should be there for the whole 3 days , but he argued that some first class small time dealers could not get the time to spend 3 days at Bisley .

When the NRA got Shaun to surrender his lease, it seemed that they forgot about the trade show and it was thanks to a couple of dealers that the trade show ever took place , even if some aspects of it were a shambles.

This year the tent wasnt bad , at least I could walk up and down without having to fight my way through the crowds . Although I am told that the table costs were almost equal to prime office space rental per square foot , so I wonder how any dealer could make a profit .

What is the future for the show ?

The tent is modular so it can be extended if enough dealers can afford the charges . And it seems there are plans in the pipeline to tarmac or hardcore that whole area and cut down some of the trees so maybe that will reduce the flooding that happened as the dealers were packing up .

So maybe the NRA has realised that the trade show is an essential part of the Phoenix weekend.

Almost all of the content of this post is complete and utter garbage.