Bristol Show Success

**Stuart Wright** · 26-02-2007, 9:50 PM

We have a presence at Bristol for several reasons. We are there to introduce ourselves to potential new members and advertisers, plus we also give forum members an opportunity to meet each other and say hello to the AV Forums team. In all respects the show was a great success this year.
Because our location tends to be well in to the route most people take round the show, we are always quiet until late morning when we get very busy. At some points we had more than 5 people waiting to play our competition. That’s a lot given the modest size of our room.
We chose Burnout Revenge on the 360 as this year’s challenge. We would have liked to have had a PS3 on the stand but since none of the AV Forums team have bought imported PS3s, we would have required Sony to have provided us with a machine and several games well in advance.

We weren’t unhappy with our choice of challenge. The game provided a good workout for the BK subwoofer and in doing so got the attention of passers by. Which is what we like.

There was a steady stream of forum members stopping by to say hello. Members and moderators got to meet other members and moderators and many faces were put to online personas.
I was moved by the number of people who asked about my father (his triple heart bypass operation was scheduled for Thursday but was postponed at the last minute for a whole month!) And many thanks to all those people.

As usual we had visits from many who were interested in AV but had never heard of AV Forums. When told that it’s a completely free site and we don’t sell anything, they seemed pleasantly surprised. Hopefully we have got a few new members onboard.

Friday felt like a trade day because of the higher number of retailers stopping by to see our advertising team. Saturday and Sunday were busier in general.
The big difference this year was the addition of the podcast. It gave us an excuse to visit lots of exhibitors who, without exception, were enthusiastically talking with us.
On occasion they were even chasing us down at the stand.

I remember the first year we exhibited (2005) was somewhat of a revelation to me that there was so much resistance to the internet. Manufacturers and retailers I spoke to were demonstrating frustration at the effect that online sales were having on the industry. Representing the AVForums, I was not always particularly welcome.
This year was completely different. No doubt there are folks out there who don’t like AV Forums for whatever reasons. But I think most companies now appreciate the amount of publicity our forum and podcast can give them.

So personally and commercially we consider the show a success for us.

Anyhow thanks must go to all the sponsors of the competition - Hyundai, Yamaha, BK, Shopto.net and Chord. Thanks also to Nigel for helping us so excellently to man the stand, to Phil who worked hard to produce the podcasts, to all the contributors to the podcasts and to all the visitors who stopped by.

Dom996 · 26-02-2007, 10:11 PM

Hi Stuart

The room was great, sorry I couldn't get back to play the game as I had planned, but had a lot to check out (being in the trade).

Dominic

Midge · 27-02-2007, 9:20 AM

Hi,

Was nice to put a face to the name, and to pass on my thanks for the website. Just a shame my Burnout challenge score was abysmal!!!

All the best

Midge

CoolCurly · 27-02-2007, 10:14 AM

Hi Stuart,

Glad you had a successful Show. Sorry I didnt make it, I ended up stuck in the office working all day.

I hope the E320D was getting the attention and as always Hyundai are very happy to be part of AV Forums and support you!

Hopefully catch up soon for that over due drink.

Best

CURLY

Jazz Monkey Jr · 28-02-2007, 12:33 AM

I was suprised as the forums room was in a good location, and is a good idea for members to meet.
I had never been to the Bristol show before and was well worth going, but I wouldn't rely on any of the set ups there to sway me decision although I did like the 720p projectors more than I thought I would, I didn't see that much difference between 720 and 1080 for the price difference, I am glad I am not planning to buy one just yet, I will wait for them all to settle down.

See you again next year, I may even be allowed to buy something big next time.

ritzie · 28-02-2007, 12:46 AM

I really enjoyed the day, even though many have been saying that the show was more biased towards audio rather than vision. For people like me it was just right, as I'm only now starting to get into such things, thanks to this Forum. I thought it was a really well organized event, especially the park and ride which saved not only money but time also. I will definitely be attending next year, if there is one. It was also great to meet up with some members of the forum also even though I have'nt been here too long. And of course, I have to say what a great competition too!!

All in all a great day out, and I will be recommending it to friends for next year. WELL DONE!!

mattartist · 28-02-2007, 1:53 PM

Thanks Stuart, Phil and the rest of the team for your hard work. I find it hard to balance reading the forums with life in general so god knows how you have time to moderate and develop them! Hats off to you.

Subsequent podcasts have been a great way for reminding me of features and retailers at the show.

The AVForums room felt like a nice corner to relax a bit away from the hard sales speak. Was glad to share my dodgy Jason Bradbury story with you too

Didn't manage to come back for the challenge - also didn't have time to benefit from Vogels half price offers ...

Cheers again.
Matt

Mr_Wistles · 28-02-2007, 4:46 PM

So who won the challenge?

Russell_S · 28-02-2007, 5:18 PM

Both myself and my friend had been looking forward to the show for weeks and then what happens? Last week I came down with flu and a chest infection and my friend had some serious family medical emergencies so neither of us made it to the show. Very disappointed and I was looking forward to meeting some of the forum team.

Anyway, glad the show went well and we'll just have to wait until next year.

All the best

Russell

**Stuart Wright** · 28-02-2007, 8:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_Piper

So who won the challenge?

ritzie won the challenge. He got over 20 million - several million more than the closest rival. Congratulations to him.

On a side note I enjoyed the game so much I bought it!. Best I could do over the weekend was 23 million.

ritzie · 01-03-2007, 11:04 PM

Of course I'm really chuffed to have won the competition, never in 20 million years would have thought I could have, but am over the moon with the prizes. Will be picking them up on Sunday, and will have to make some serious room to fit them all in, but I'm sure I'll manage somehow.

Many thanks, to the organizers of the event and competition, for making it such an enjoyable day. Looking forward already to next years show, and wish it every success.

Thank you all again!!