The Loose Association of Wargamers

I will counter with my experience of being part of the club putting on Cancon. We had the unfortunate experience of having groups of players who would show up and play a large game, completely ignoring passers-by, essentially getting free entry to the show, and a free venue for their game.

There is that of course. We have a family pass to the Yorkshire Museum of farming, really only because they're very cheap to locals and Freya loves the play area. There's a very good mock up of a Viking village that regularly hosts reenactors, also a Roman fort. They've had loads of weekend events lately, looking forward to the Wars of the Roses weekend in April. Last couple of weekends they've had WWII events so naturally we went. First one with the Soviet group was excellent as they really do their history in all aspects, even cook authentic foods. The more recent one had a group of US Airborne, which was more a mish mash of allied reenactors. I approached to chat (I really wanted to play with their guns) and was instantly offered turned backs, I really dont know why they bothered. The place was very quiet anyway. Then there was the Leeds Armouries Napoleonic event with lots of various wargames. Some were happy to chat but horrified at the suggestion of joining in for a turn or two, others were outright arguing amongst themselves and one guy on his own was clearly in need of services intervention. I took the wife for her first wargames show, she's never been back to one.

So yes, I don't envy anyone organising a show.

tim.w wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:40 pm Then there was the Leeds Armouries Napoleonic event with lots of various wargames. Some were happy to chat but horrified at the suggestion of joining in for a turn or two, others were outright arguing amongst themselves and one guy on his own was clearly in need of services intervention. I took the wife for her first wargames show, she's never been back to one.

So yes, I don't envy anyone organising a show.

I remember that show, Sadly the venue didn't have much of a clue on presenting it to it's best advantage, considering it was a "Waterloo" event, and one club, based not that far from my neck of the woods should hang their heads in shame at their behaviour, not even having the courtesy to say hullo to those of us who knew one of the participants. And as Whisky says, there was one guy there, definitely with special needs, on his jack, presenting a version of Waterloo that had the combatants as football hooligans. WTF was that all about? I will select for special mention, the lads of the RAF Association Wargamers, who were conducting a participation game based on "Sharpe's Waterloo" complete with camera vans and production crew. They were excellent, and Peeler and I had a fun game with them. But those chaps always put on a cracking participation game whatever show they are at. They could give a masterclass on how to do it for my money. I don't blame Mrs Whisky for not being impressed, there was not much to be impressed with, apart from the RAFA chaps. And the gift shop was a bit poo on that day as I recall.

Tim Hall wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 9:37 pm I will select for special mention, the lads of the RAF Association Wargamers, who were conducting a participation game based on "Sharpe's Waterloo" complete with camera vans and production crew. They were excellent, and Peeler and I had a fun game with them. But those chaps always put on a cracking participation game whatever show they are at. They could give a masterclass on how to do it for my money.

This. When my two lads were younger and I used to take them to shows, I would always sign them up to play in whatever game the RAFAW group was putting on - and make sure I played in it, too, as they were always fun (and it gave my boys someone "safe" to gang up on).

I am no expert but my understanding from friends in the Model Railway hobby is that the organisers pay you to take your layout to their show and this includes accommodation. I have no idea of the economics of this but it does seem to be the case.

John Rich wrote: ↑Wed Mar 23, 2022 9:08 pm I am no expert but my understanding from friends in the Model Railway hobby is that the organisers pay you to take your layout to their show and this includes accommodation. I have no idea of the economics of this but it does seem to be the case.

That will only be for the major shows, eg the Festival of Model Railways. Model railways are a much larger hobby than wargaming.