Transformation TwentyEleven

[primenova]

Seeing we have 13 months now until this event. We might start a thread on here

{can Paul Cannon place a post in front of my first post on this thread with intro later on whene everything is sorted out instead of starting up a new tread or having the information a few posts down}

But what would we like to see at the 2011 event.

It's the weekend before easter for anyone who is travelling back on the Monday - you get the following Friday off.

[primenova]

What the price going to be & can the hall hold more than 500 - so any chance we are going to have some competition with AA2011 & high figures. If using the same hall in 2002 - it wasnt that big.

[Hero]

Bookmarking it now.

===KEN

[primenova]

The AA team will be plugging the event on there site - mainly with beign a few months apart & getting people who attend each event to learn about the other. That if a TF2012 is arrange before AA2011- i'm sure that details link is going to appear in the AA2011 mag.

[Andy Turnbull]

Ticket booked.

Andy

[Philip Ayres]

and me. Better let Mum know we'll be staying that weekend :-)

[Philip Ayres]

www.tfconvention.co.uk/

Transformation 2011 CANCELLED

28.12.10 Due to a very poor number of registrations we have had to cancel the convention. We would like to thank all of the people who supported us, however it was not meant to be.

We hope you will continue to support our friends at Auto Assembly with their show in August.

[Bogatan]

Ah thats a shame. Haven't been able to book for any of next years events yet, but would have made it down.

Andy

[blueshift]

That's a shame

I never pre-registered either, I am terrible at stuff like that

[The Doctor]

It's a shame, and I hope Paul is not out of pocket. To offer constructive criticism, the website did not have enough information on it for me whenever I looked at it to committ funds in advance which is why I did not register this side of New Year as attending a convention costs a few hundred quid once transport and and accom are added as well as booking time off work. I was waiting to find out more before deciding to go or not.

Perhaps there is room for a smaller 'fan meet' type affair with a couple of dealers in a hall rather than a second full-blown con in a year? Something to think about.

-Ralph

[Rich]

That's a shame. I would probably have been there, but I don't like booking con tickets a long way in advance because they tend to fall during my holidays, and I'd rather be on holiday if I can afford it:) Booked AA about 2 weeks from deadline, and will be doing the same this year if I go.

For what it's worth, I think a large, mostly informal London meet is the way to go (one big con a year is probably enough for me) and if people want more, build from there. Transformers on the Thames during May or June would be cool.

[The Doctor]

Dec 29, 2010 12:40:23 GMT @transforce said:

People think a TF convention will cost them hundreds, though I think people can pay their £25+ train fare/petrol and come along for everything else, not needing to buy lots of toys.

Personally, I find that somewhat an unrealistic figure. Attending a con costs much more than that for most people. Travel is a three figure sum for me by train or plane (public transport costs being quite high within the UK), plus registration fee plus at least one night's accomodation (usually around £40+ sharing). Plus food and drink. And that's even if I have a toy budget of zero pence (and of course have secured time of work). I am sure I am not alone. I would imagine to attract enough people to make a con financially feasable, it needs to encourage people outwith of a short travel distance to come. And I've been to 7 TF cons (inc Transforce 2002 and 2004) within the UK at Birmingham/London so I come from a point of practical experience budgeting for these things.

Attending any convention (Transformers or otherwise) is usually a serious outlay for many people, and many in the fandom are now of the age where they have kids, partners, mortgages etc which take priority budget-wise.

I do not mean this as a personal criticism. I merely wish to take the time to offer my opinions and conjecture so as to give some feedback as to why numbers were not what you hoped for, for the benefit of future planning as I understand how this will have been a major disappointment to you.

-Ralph

[legios]

I would have to concur that the cost of travelling to any event (Transformers or otherwise) is usually much more significant than the cost of actual attendance at the event. In this case, having recently traveled down to the same area to visit family I can honestly say that the costs of actually reaching the event - over £100 - and the necessity to pay for accommodation - and whether I would be in a position to support those costs at that time of year - was a far more significant factor in my decision-making than the cost of the actual convention. From this neck of the woods attending any sort of event in Southern Latitudes is an oft-expensive operation.

(As an aside, I don't think I have ever attended a Transformers convention that has cost me less than £200 once you factor in travel, accommodation and subsistence, and that is before I even think about a toy budget).

I'm sorry to hear that the logistics didn't work out for you Paul, and as others have said I hope you haven't found yourself out of pocket on this one.

Karl

[primenova]

I was waiting for train prices before booking. That once it only cost £22 to get a return ticket to London on a train that took 90 minutes oct 2004 [that includes a 20 minute wait at Doncaster] But looking at prices 2 months before TF11 - was £150+ return. & takes 2hrs +

To show how rubbish train fares are [you currently can't book for later than 2/4/11] 2 singles are £76 each or a return for £77. Pay £1 more & save £75 & get a return ticket - but that is if the price is the same for 2 weeks later - but we do have the other London comic event the week before when TF11 would be - see Simon Furman blog. I could have got 3 tickets for TF11 for the train fare.

[grahamthomson]

Sorry to hear that this won't be going ahead, and I hope you weren't out of pocket, Paul.

Public transport is getting really expensive in this country these days and can be off-putting for a lot of people.

Speaking for myself, these large convention type dealies really aren't my cup of tea. I have no real interest in guests and have no desire to get anything defaced by them. Or dealers (unless there's anything vintage and affordable... which never happens) . I'm only really attracted to the social side of things.

If you do think of doing something else in the future, maybe you could cater more for us old farts... like a bridge tournament or something!!

Besides, I'd much rather meet up with you for a beer and a proper catch up than trying to get a word in edgewise while you're running around all sweaty and high-pitched.

[primenova]

Have a room with chest, & the other Transformers games - which could be fun.

[primenova]

www.google.com/images?client=gmail&rls=gm&q=transformers+board+games&oi=image_result_group&sa=X