Hi all,

I'm going to my first show in Birmingham next month and I'm wondering if any of you regular show goers have some tips about which way is the best to work my way around? I've printed of the list of vendors etc but would love to have any advice about what is a must etc.

So excited!

Claire

AYou mean the trade show at the NEC in Brum? I go every year. I'll be there Fri and Sat. My tip is to go in the late afternoon. There is such a crush for the first half of the day that it's impossible to even come close to any of the vendors if you don't have sharp elbows. I usually attend demonstrations until about 14.00-15.00 and then go over to the vendor area. I own a s.u.g.a.r.c.r.a.f.t shop so for me it's not just about making purchases for my own use - it's about finding new vendors, touching base with vendors where I already have a trade account, and establishing relationships.

I love the NEC. It's a great place to meet up with on-line friends and make new ones because we all have the same interests! Most vendors take cards but bring some cash just in case. It's good to have lots of memory space in your camera.

I'm 5'10" tall so I tower above everyone - 99% of the women and about 85% of all the men.

Are you a member of the BSCG? If not, you should really join. On their message board there're a couple of threads going on about the NEC - where everyone is staying and when to meet up, etc. Most of us wear badges with our message board user name so we recognise each other!

I hope this helps a little.

Thanks Godot!

I'm coming in from Paris so will be arriving in London saturday evening and will be coming to Birmingham on Sunday - shame, I'd love to have met you.

What is the BSCG? I've googled it since reading your post but can't find anything that remotely connects to anything to do with cakes! 

I'm 5'1 so basically have to fight my way through everything and always have to get there early otherwise I never see anything (concerts, football matches, tour de France.....) Always wanted to be 5'4 which in my youth seemed really tall but I'm basically the same height I was when I was 12.

I appreciate the tips bc I do want to see some demos and visit the vendors so I'm happy to hear which way round to do it.

Claire

AHave you registered for demos yet? Most of them are probably sold out by now. I always register as soon as I'm able - like in July!

You're going to have a great time.

No I haven't registered for anything yet, I've never been to any show before (apart from when I was a kid and my dad took me to a jewellery show - not the same I know) so I'm not sure what to expect in terms of demos. I was so giddy with the thought of going I didn't do anything apart from booking my Eurostar ticket 

ABritish ********** Guils (www.bsguk.org)

You need to go here: http://www.cakeinternational.co.uk/birmingham/2013/ and purchase your entrance ticket. It has happened that entrance tickets have sold out. You can also continue at the same site and buy demo tickets. It's so easy and you can print them out at home and just present them at the door.

Good luck!

ABritish Sug.arcra.ft Guild (www.bsguk.org)

You need to go here: http://www.cakeinternational.co.uk/birmingham/2013/ and purchase your entrance ticket. It has happened that entrance tickets have sold out. You can also continue at the same site and buy demo tickets. It's so easy and you can print them out at home and just present them at the door.

Good luck!

Will do it now, thanks!

AI'm going on the Saturday. It's chaos but lots of fun!

AHey let's meet up on Saturday!

AHow would you ever find anyone there!?

AMany of us from the BSG board wear badges to identify ourselves to other board members we don't know.

We also set up meeting times at specific places.