The Honda Owners Club

Excel cost for this year was in region of £3000 for stand space the size we use. That was space only so we would have to construct on that space from scratch hence prohibitive.

We have as recently as two years ago been at the Ally Pally as the BMF invited clubs to go along.

We already do 'Bike Safe' days which last year was at Hendon as it is again this year and attracts thousands and is FREE.

We also do dates at the ACE Cafe.

So frankly we do plenty of London/South based events and the return over the years has been nothing better than that we have at the NEC.

What we really need is more members doing more of the smaller local events and shows especially those that are not classifed as bike shows. Strangely the weekend spent at Melton Mowbray a few years ago attracted nearly as many new members as the NEC. That was because the bikes on show attract the kids and the dads sometimes even the girls. For the enthusiasts in the family they get away with going to a show drooling at bikes and have still taken out the family. The other big outlet not being hit is the ever steady classic shows where we are under represented. Only needs a few of you to get along to these events and the brand will stand out to all that see you.

Dibble wrote:Excel cost for this year was in region of £3000 for stand space the size we use. That was space only so we would have to construct on that space from scratch hence prohibitive.

We have as recently as two years ago been at the Ally Pally as the BMF invited clubs to go along.

We already do 'Bike Safe' days which last year was at Hendon as it is again this year and attracts thousands and is FREE.

We also do dates at the ACE Cafe.

So frankly we do plenty of London/South based events and the return over the years has been nothing better than that we have at the NEC.

What we really need is more members doing more of the smaller local events and shows especially those that are not classifed as bike shows. Strangely the weekend spent at Melton Mowbray a few years ago attracted nearly as many new members as the NEC. That was because the bikes on show attract the kids and the dads sometimes even the girls. For the enthusiasts in the family they get away with going to a show drooling at bikes and have still taken out the family. The other big outlet not being hit is the ever steady classic shows where we are under represented. Only needs a few of you to get along to these events and the brand will stand out to all that see you.

Some good points there Dibble.

We (Reading) are hopefully going to have a stand at the Reading MAG Rally in April, the good news is it will not cost us (HOC) anything. It's early stages at the moment but we will probably ask for some additional vlounteers a bit nearer the time.

Also if HOC decide to participate at any classic shows, I'll glady help out if I'm available.

Regards

Chimpy

Why not? surely if you don't ask you won't get

Wiltshire have a HOC stand at the Calne Bike Show and Oxford have offered to help. We plan to do a 'ride in' which this year was announced and should promote the HOC as we ride and park our bikes in the HOC designatd area. (oooo mentioned that magic word 'ride' ..........cannot wait!)

Presumably that's Saturday July 25th
http://calnebikes.freehostia.com

Any dates yet for the mega day ?

Excel cost for this year was in region of £3000 for stand space the size we use. That was space only so we would have to construct on that space from scratch hence prohibitive.

I could be digging myself into a hole here, but I have experience in designing and constructing exhibition stands before I worked for M&S if we were to do Excel for a trail show next year then I maybe up for the task, along with some help from my fellow Worcestershire branch members and any other support from other HOC members

Also if HOC decide to participate at any classic shows, I'll glady help out if I'm available.

I going to investigate the possibilty of doing the Classic Bike show at Stafford. they usually do at least 2 a year, so I'll let you all know in due course any details

The HOC often seems conspicuous in it's absence, what with Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki stands regularly there. Good shows, are the Stafford ones. Much better than the ones at Shepton Mallet, and the showground has far better facilities.

We are long overdue at the Stafford Show.
Don't forget to get Dave Barton involved, he can organise the classic bikes for us.

There are two:
25-26 April http://www.classicbikeshows.com/showind ... 0814094635
17-18 October http://www.classicbikeshows.com/showind ... 0829516172

Any and all chances to get us noticed at any show is a fab idea, but alas there is only and infinate amount of cash...so we need to make sure that whatever we do will give us value for money....the Staffs shows are a great choice though, think Excel is way out of our price range personally though, that's just my opinion.

gonzocbr wrote:Any and all chances to get us noticed at any show is a fab idea, but alas there is only and infinate amount of cash...so we need to make sure that whatever we do will give us value for money....the Staffs shows are a great choice though, think Excel is way out of our price range personally though, that's just my opinion.

I think you mean "finite" amount of cash - and not "infinite"

Alan

OOPs I sure do mean that....thanks for pointing it out hon LOL

Stritchy wrote:We are long overdue at the Stafford Show.
Don't forget to get Dave Barton involved, he can organise the classic bikes for us.

There are two:
25-26 April http://www.classicbikeshows.com/showind ... 0814094635
17-18 October http://www.classicbikeshows.com/showind ... 0829516172

Agreed, the Staffordshire shows are usually very well attended. I've been to several shows there, and if you were to choose to attend only one show, I would recommend the October show over the April show. The April show tends to be more focused on Brit bikes, where as the October show is mainly Japanese. Just a thought if you're looking for value for money....

Have to agree with that totally 2 Strokes, Staffs shows are very well attended and they get a lot of press coverage as well, which is good...and I don't think they'd cost anywhere near as much to attend.

2 Strokes wrote:

Stritchy wrote:We are long overdue at the Stafford Show.
Don't forget to get Dave Barton involved, he can organise the classic bikes for us.

There are two:
25-26 April http://www.classicbikeshows.com/showind ... 0814094635
17-18 October http://www.classicbikeshows.com/showind ... 0829516172

Agreed, the Staffordshire shows are usually very well attended. I've been to several shows there, and if you were to choose to attend only one show, I would recommend the October show over the April show. The April show tends to be more focused on Brit bikes, where as the October show is mainly Japanese. Just a thought if you're looking for value for money....

gonzocbr wrote:Have to agree with that totally 2 Strokes, Staffs shows are very well attended and they get a lot of press coverage as well, which is good...and I don't think they'd cost anywhere near as much to attend.

Ditto, great Idea. So, shall we have a show of hands
I usually end up at this show, so if you need help to man stand give me a shout

2 Strokes wrote:I would recommend the October show over the April show. The April show tends to be more focused on Brit bikes, where as the October show is mainly Japanese. Just a thought if you're looking for value for money....

The October show was started by Bob Berry of Classic Mechanics Magazine, primarily for Japanese bikes, and it was very good. However, since the magazine has been sold to Mortons Media, the show has had more non-Japanese bikes and clubs appearing (not to mention even more of the same cheapo tool stands selling the same junk, much of which has nothing to do with bikes). No bad thing, a bit of non-Jap stuff, up to a point, but I felt the last October show was just like any other bike show, and not a lot different from the April show.
I do still go to both though.