[Craig_Mawlam]

The Window Cleaning trade is affected by the weather, every year the Annual trade show is held in April just when the weather is improving. Normally the attendance at the show is less than 5% of the membership so I'm curious to find out if more people would attend if the Trade Show were held at a different time of year, perhaps when the weather isn’t quite so good.

Best regards

Craig Mawlam

[The_Fed_Man]

Possibly good during a low time schedule wise,  but Springtime a lot of customers are thinking about getting cleaned up with all types of cleaning, we as a business are looking to gear up for the up and coming busy months and also try new tools and techniques.  

Something about the new sun that seems to make everybody feel happier also.

[Craig_Mawlam]

Martin,

Good point, in the Spring there is the feel good factor and so far the majority agree with you.

Craig

[Terry_Burrows]

;)I would love to see 2 shows but it is a lot of work,I would like to see a weekend show say,friday and saturday,we have to travel next year its newcastle,I think I will fly that one

[Philip Hanson]

we have to travel next year its newcastle,I think I will fly that one

And I think I will give it a miss

WYE EYE MAN

[Terry_Burrows]

;)this is the problem everyone wants the show brought to them,this is just not possible,so some people make the effort,and travel,thats why we move the show around,to give people a chance to see the show,you cant please all the people all the time,maybe the fed could organize a bus to pick evryone up! :

[BeeClean]

isnt leicester more midlands than the south wouldnt bristol or the south coast be better

[karlosdaze]

How about Spain or Portugal, make a holiday of it?

[Terry_Burrows]

;)we did try portsmouth never again,poor turn out,
but we got TV there work that one out!the north wont go south to far,the south wont go up north to far,they only have thereselfs to blame,you dont go you dont show!  all I can say is make the effort,once a year the show is, and people cant make once a year!

I dont know what the answer is if thats the case!

[The_Fed_Man]

How about Spain or Portugal, make a holiday of it? ~karlosdaze

Karl, this has been mentioned before believe it or not, but the logistics of it all seem a bit daunting.

What if you offered to put the membership up for the weekend? Do you have conference facilities?

[karlosdaze]

Karl, this has been mentioned before believe it or not, but the logistics of it all seem a bit daunting.

What if you offered to put the membership up for the weekend? Do you have conference facilities?

Yes, that could be sorted.

[The_Fed_Man]

Wow, that's some kind of house you've got there!

[highwash]

if travelling is an issue, hotels are the best solution and the cost could be trimmed by using Travelodge type accomodation. minibus links would solve the "bevvie"problem

[Craig_Mawlam]

Thank you to all who voted, This snap shot survey confirms that a show held in April is the most popular. However, the Jan/Feb vote ran a close second and as an exhibitor I think that the Federation should consider giving a February show a try.

Regards

Craig Mawlam

[WavieDavie]

Craig, I voted April/May.

Summer, I'd prefer to have the weekends for me and my family - once the dreaded paperwork is out of the way! Autumn - maybe. But I'm already getting myself psyched up for the winter at that time of year. Winter - no chance. Saturdays are kept for catching up if we get behind.

So, for me, Spring it is.

[Peter Fogwill]

I would like to see the show spread over two days the Saturday and the Sunday, there must be quite a lot of people who can't make it the Saturday because of work or other commitments. It would also make it more appealing for members to travel further distances. It would also encourage more members to stay overnight at the hotel and make a weekend of it.

I am quite sure the Federation could come up with some extra seminars to fill in the time.  I am sure Craig would like to do a health & Safety seminar in the safe use of water fed poles for example.

From the exhibiters angle they have a lot of setting up to do for a one day event only lasting 6 hours. One particular exhibiter spent nearly that time building and dismantling his display.

I know I have not answered the question asked in the first place, but it may be another way of boosting attendances at the show.

Peter  

[Old_Master]

Why is it every other cleaning trade show is held on a Monday to Friday? Not to mention all the other Trade shows.
Window Cleaning managers and owners of larger Cleaning companies are unlikely to attend on a Saturday.
Having a trade show on  Saturday relegates it to a bootfair/ school fete status.
Very many Window cleaners would rather be at a Football match having fun with their kids or fun with their wife, girlfriend or in some cases both  or playing golf.
I would go as far to say 100x more window cleaners visit The Cleaning Show in Birmingham and even the British Window Cleaning visitors at the Rai in Amsterdam far outweigh the National Fed Trade Show.
Lets move the Fed Show up to a professional status

[Philip Hanson]

I agree, a saturday is a weekend, not for a work thing.

Lets move the Fed Show up to a professional status

I must say, the magazines and other communications from the fed do not help its professional image.

Spelling, gramar mistakes and the fact that 80% of Window Talk is adverts give a very poor impression.    

(I'm afraid I just didnt get this issue's "Letters to the Editor"  Was it a mistake to publish peoples renewal letters?  What on earth was the point of that?  What a waste of time.  Why didnt they use the space for an article about the European Work at Height Directive?  We're still awaiting the promised guidance)

-Philip

[Old_Master]

Perhaps the Fed could canvas  members with a simple tick a box reply card when they next send out Window Talk and they could see how many members would attend and on which day.

Glyn

[The_Fed_Man]

I think the majority of members are one man bands so obviously would prefer a non working day. But the Fed does need to encourage more larger businesses which would have a knock on effect helping the smaller businesses as well.