Brisbane TWWS - Is it dying ?

[skot]

I received a reminder from Arbortech for the 2018 Brisbane TWWS.

It is being held in a smaller part of the RNA Showgrounds this year and I think it's due to the lack of exhibitors. The total list has 15 exhibitors and one of those is community group for Deaf Services.

I won't be parting with my money this year for that amount of exhibitors.

[Bucky]

I went last year even if it was free still wouldn't be value for money.

[bueller]

I think these are just going to disappear pretty soon, less and less exhibitors every year while prices for renting space has either stayed the same or gone up. The WA show was good to visit last year but really only enjoyed the turning exhibitions and timber sales, everything else was just stuff I can see on shop floors.

[Chris Parks]

Sad but true, I wonder when the fat lady will sing. Strangely enough our Local WW show will be bigger than ever this year but will not have the headline exhibitors that the metro shows have. https://illawarrafestivalofwood.com

[skot]

I was talking to the owner of one of the local Brisbane companies that exhibit (or used to) at the TWWW show and I was told that the regional Maleny Show is growing and getting more popular and I believe that is true. He pays far less in fees and sells more at Maleny. I have been a few times and it is a great show. Unfortunately I will be in Tasmania while it is on this year.

[I_wanna_Shed]

Sad but true, I wonder when the fat lady will sing. Strangely enough our Local WW show will be bigger than ever this year but will not have the headline exhibitors that the metro shows have. https://illawarrafestivalofwood.com

Spot on Chris. The Illawarra show was small last year, but not really too much smaller than what the Sydney show now is, especially given it was their first show!!!
Good luck to the Illawarra show - it's doing things different enough to differentiate it from the main shows.

Wood Dust Australia will be very interesting also. REALLY looking forward to that one!

[mature one]

went to the recent Shepparton show and noticed fewer trades on asking why was told that the price of the stalls was the biggest issue.

[dai sensei]

..It is being held in a smaller part of the RNA Showgrounds this year and I think it's due to the lack of exhibitors. The total list has 15 exhibitors and one of those is community group for Deaf Services....

Opinions were last year was a waste of time, and this year's even smaller, I don't understand why they are even holding it. I'd be running with Melb and Syd only and giving up on all the rest. I'd also be looking at the timing too, ridiculous holding it at the same time as other major woodworking events

[rrich]

I don't understand why they are even holding it.

It has been said that no one ever went out of business willingly.

[rrich]

I expect that you are experiencing the same thing with The Woodworking Shows that we are here in the US.

Background
Generally the costs for a booth at one of these shows is rather high. About 10 or 12 years ago the smallest booth at AWFS in Las Vegas was about $8000US. But that is probably an extreme example.

The people that work these booths are generally paid a flat 10% of the gross take by the booth. The booth workers split the 10% by the number of hours they were scheduled to work. Of course major manufacturers use their local technical support people to work their booth.

Travel and lodging costs are generally covered by the people that work the booths. IMNSHO, it is not a great employment opportunity.

Ancient History
To purchase most tools and what nots, we had the Brick and Mortar outlets. Most of the B&M were "Factory Authorized" and offered product support. As the support requirements became more complex, the manufacturer opened repair facilities that also sold almost nothing except products that didn't move in the retail arena.

The Woodworking Shows vendors were selling below retail and it was a good place for bargains for the consumer.

Today
The internet and online shopping have lowered the final cost to the consumer. Many times the online cost to the consumer is now very close to the B&M wholesale cost. The price point at The Woodworking Shows just doesn't exist anymore. Why would you want to buy at a show at a higher price than your online supplier. Your local B&M has difficulty competing with this sales model. Some come close when all shipping and taxes are figured in. The thing that really kills the B&M sales model is shipping costs. Here in the US, shipping costs are not usually taxed. At the B&M they are selling a product and all of the costs (shipping) are bundled in. Manufacturer discounts and special packages are generally not offered to the small Mom and Pop B&M.

Reality
Today about the only reason to go to The Woodworking Show is first to buy that small little widget that can't be found elsewhere and second to walk around in hopes of discovering something that you just can't live without.

Many online vendors never take actual possession of the product but rather have it shipped directly from manufacturer to customer. The printed catalog has been replaced by the web page.

[skot]

Yes, I agree with rrich about the internet. Before the net & on line shopping..... the best way to see new equipment grouped together so you could wander around and compare were at those shows.

Now, comparing equipment is a matter opening a number of windows on the computer.