Reflections on the Salute show

[martin goddard]

Some scrabbled thoughts about Salute 2025.
They are not of any major use, as each person goes to salute with different wants and aims.

1. The number of games was excellent. Not so many historical "wow" games this year. A wow game would have  custom scenery and large armies. Probably horse and musket or ECW for spectacle?
2. The space was really good. Great open spaces to stand around and chat. It also allows games not to be overtoned by nearby games. I remember many salute shows in which shoppers  bumped into game tables and nearby games noised out games.
3.The excellent hall is  good for the show although the lighting  might be better.
4. The host club (warlords) did a fine job or organising the tabling and locations.
5. The loss of the internal catering (pies, pasties and drinks) was a shame but the Excel central spine sellers wanted this I expect?
6. The bag with gifts was really nice. Mug, figures, dice etc.
7. The time of year allowed good weather and plenty of daylight. Safer for drivers.
8. Plenty of chairs. Necessary for this hobby. I remember the Bovington shows where they booked very few chairs. I had to buy some chairs for each year. Chairs are vital for shows.
9.Admission cost. £16. Very cheap for such an event. It is difficult to understand any moaning, unless the person is very poor indeed. I suspect these are the "I leave nothing in the food bank trolley" folk.
10. The queue puzzled me. Why stand up in a queue for an hour or more for a games show? Maybe there is a reason?
11.Fewer giant stands this year. Giant = walk in, games table, carpetty..
12. Re enactors. All good. I would like to see some drill etc if there were a quiet isolated area. Rifleman Harris was there too. Variety is good.
13. Good to see charity cancer stand. More such stands would be welcome (blesma, star and garter, stress, samaritans).
14. No continuous announcements. Very annoying when a show has continuous announcements that are loud, not important  and distorted.
15. Selfishly,  I would like to see some 54mm massed battles. Medieval or ancient.

martin

[Administrator]

My personal view was that Salute was -OK- in prior years it's big sellers were that you'd get to see traders that went no-where else. Especially European trade- that is all gone .

One observation was that all the 'mega' online stores had equally mega spaces (wayland , element etc) . But all the stuff is the same ! Not much in the way of boutique traders (maybe they can't compete in this eco-system)

The game we ran was very well attended . Visitors were friendly (not always the case - button counters etc) . The larger hall is much better .. but sometimes does feel a bit empty - losing some of the 'buzz'

Salute was always top on my show list . But probably sits behind the 'lead-belt' shows now

[Sean Clark]

I contemplated going down, catching the train on the Friday, stating over then train home on Saturday night.

Moat of the YouTube reports are saying it was one of the best ever, but what their criteria for assessing this is I'm not sure.

I think I'll male the effort next year  especially if Martin is putting a game on again.

Did either of you chaps buy anything?

[martin goddard]

It is  certainly a nice day out Sean.
If you and i both go next year we can meet up the day before maybe?

Possible PP games would be TCR or siege?  These games are small enough to carry.


martin

[Leman (Andy)]

I would need a second mortgage to attend the show from the Netherlands. The Eurostar is not cheap, plus I would have to get to Amsterdam first, a two hour journey. Then TFL to get to and from the event, food and entrance fee. Just can't justify the expense.

[martin goddard]

You will have to make friends with the Antwerp (TSA)club Andy. They drive across in several cars and seem a friendly bunch

martin

[Martin Smith]

WSS magazine (Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy) have an episode about Salute52 on their most recent podcast - always a decent listen, this one.

[martin goddard]

Hello Martin
WSS were doing an instant upload on the show. They were pitting photos and words on the internet as they went around the show.  Which is new to me.

martin

[Administrator]

YouTube reports are saying it was one of the best ever, but what their criteria for assessing this is I'm not sure.

The rise of wargame influencers means it's in their interests to make it sound great for the 'clicks'

Salute used to be a big 'shopping' show for me- but not this year.  There wasn't much eye catching. The biggest increase was in 3d printed stores, and that doesn't really have any appeal to me

[Martin Smith]

Hello Martin
WSS were doing an instant upload on the show. They were pitting photos and words on the internet as they went around the show.  Which is new to me.

martin

That's keen...I guess it's a cool thing to do, but I reckon being there must top seeing updated pics.

Martin

[martin goddard]

A fast world.

martin

[Leman (Andy)]

You will have to make friends with the Antwerp (TSA)club Andy. They drive across in several cars and seem a friendly bunch

martin

I shall be attending their show in November, so will see what the possibilities are. Thanks for the info.