I have just got back from the workshops that LION organised last tuesday.
I really must congratulate MARTIN HARROLD for organising some eight different workshops throughout the day.
The staff must also be congratulated, that could not have been an easy task, from getting the rather large warehouse painted and prepared to serving the tea and cakes to what I believe was in the region of 140 people.
I attended 4 of the workshops and came away with my head reeling with information, new ideas, hints and tips. Well done to those people who gave their time to pass on information from their own experiences in the trade.
When is the next one Martin?
Congratulations to LION
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Merlin
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Congratulations to LION
John GCF
Congratulations to Lion
I have never attended a workshop at Lion but have visited to purchase materials, It has always been a pleasant experience the staff are always very helpful.
On one visit I needed directions to another location in Birmingham city centre,the staff at Lion soon had me on the right track, without their help I would have been driving round in circles.
On one visit I needed directions to another location in Birmingham city centre,the staff at Lion soon had me on the right track, without their help I would have been driving round in circles.
FrameArt
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Not your average framer
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Martin Harrold
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Fri 24 Nov, 2006 12:48 pm
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- Organisation: MD of Lion / Member of Executive of FATG
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- Location: Birmingham
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Thanks to all who came along on July 3 - we've had lots of nice feedback. And thanks also for the favourable comments posted here.
We were delighted with the level of interest in our special Seminars day. Yes, it did take quite a bit of work to organise, as we'd never done anything like it before, so had little to go on. We reckon we got it all about 90% right, which ain't too bad.
Will we do it again ? Well from next week, work re-starts to build all the new moulding storage racks, which will soon fill most of the space in the extended warehouse. So, we simply won't have the space to do it in the same way. We are looking at what we might be able do at the Spring Fair Birmingham next February - many trade shows nowadays have mini-theatres, with on-going seminars.
My own favourite idea is that there could be some kind of Art & Framing Weekend, in a centrally located hotel. That would have seminars, workshops, a 'table top' trade show and some kind of social function. It could start mid-day Saturday and finish Sunday evening.
However, that might weaken the Spring Fair, and I'm a firm believer that a strong art and framing trade needs a strong trade show (and vice versa!). So, we'll have to see whether we can twist their arm and give us some space for training. If there was a series of seminars and workshops, would more of you come to that show ?
We were delighted with the level of interest in our special Seminars day. Yes, it did take quite a bit of work to organise, as we'd never done anything like it before, so had little to go on. We reckon we got it all about 90% right, which ain't too bad.
Will we do it again ? Well from next week, work re-starts to build all the new moulding storage racks, which will soon fill most of the space in the extended warehouse. So, we simply won't have the space to do it in the same way. We are looking at what we might be able do at the Spring Fair Birmingham next February - many trade shows nowadays have mini-theatres, with on-going seminars.
My own favourite idea is that there could be some kind of Art & Framing Weekend, in a centrally located hotel. That would have seminars, workshops, a 'table top' trade show and some kind of social function. It could start mid-day Saturday and finish Sunday evening.
However, that might weaken the Spring Fair, and I'm a firm believer that a strong art and framing trade needs a strong trade show (and vice versa!). So, we'll have to see whether we can twist their arm and give us some space for training. If there was a series of seminars and workshops, would more of you come to that show ?
Martin Harrold
md LION PFS Ltd
m 07973 303982
md LION PFS Ltd
m 07973 303982
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Moglet
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Hi Martin,
Belated congratulations on your 30th. Another very happy Lion customer here!
It is difficult for me to attend trade events in the UK for two reasons:
(a) Travel time and cost.
(b) Being a one-man-band, I would have to close for a few days.
Whilst I think both ideas have their merits, the "two birds with one stone" approach would represent more "bang for the buck" and would, therefore, be a more attractive option for me.
Being a newcomer to the framing business, the opportunity to accelerate my learning through attending seminars run by framing experts would attract me to the show much faster than a "trade show only" event. I would also be happy to pay a reasonable fee for the seminars.
I think it's great that you are considering taking the seminar idea forward, and I hope you get the support to make it a reality!
Belated congratulations on your 30th. Another very happy Lion customer here!
It is difficult for me to attend trade events in the UK for two reasons:
(a) Travel time and cost.
(b) Being a one-man-band, I would have to close for a few days.
Whilst I think both ideas have their merits, the "two birds with one stone" approach would represent more "bang for the buck" and would, therefore, be a more attractive option for me.
Being a newcomer to the framing business, the opportunity to accelerate my learning through attending seminars run by framing experts would attract me to the show much faster than a "trade show only" event. I would also be happy to pay a reasonable fee for the seminars.
I think it's great that you are considering taking the seminar idea forward, and I hope you get the support to make it a reality!
........Áine JGF SGF FTB
.Briseann an dúchas trí shuiligh an chuit.
.Briseann an dúchas trí shuiligh an chuit.-
Framing Norah
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I haven’t attended a trade show for years, there’s not really enough to attract me. I have just about all the equipment I need, and don’t need to see the latest mouldings – the reps will show me those. Nor do I need to see the latest prints as that side of our business is in decline – hastened, I think, by the rise of the Internet.
Combining seminars with the trade show is an inspired idea, it certainly has got my interest. I would like to see more attention paid to the business side though. Seminars on how to be more businesslike are surely as important as those on framing techniques, if not more so.
Please keep up the momentum, if you can, Martin. This is a great idea that will encourage regular attendance to the shows, and be a real benefit to the trade.
Combining seminars with the trade show is an inspired idea, it certainly has got my interest. I would like to see more attention paid to the business side though. Seminars on how to be more businesslike are surely as important as those on framing techniques, if not more so.
Please keep up the momentum, if you can, Martin. This is a great idea that will encourage regular attendance to the shows, and be a real benefit to the trade.
FN