The event itself was on Sunday the 24th of February and we had a couple of months to start planning our presence there, who would be there (on the stand), what we would take, how we’d get it there and what we needed from ATUK were all discussed in great detail, at pub meets, our group Christmas meal and peoples houses and of course via email with the steering committee.
It was a go, with Dan, Debi, Kieren and myself attending. It was decided that Kieren’s Discovery and my trail bike would form part of the display (I’m the only local member who uses both a 4X4 and a trail bike to explore green lanes) and we had divided up responsibility for providing chairs, kettle, beverages etc.
We set up on the Saturday afternoon, leaving everything there overnight (including Kieren’s Discovery and my motorcycle) and Dan gave us a lift home that evening. Debi was the taxi getting us to the event on the 24th and the weather was lousy! Very thick fog, so bad that you could barely see the front edge of the bonnet. I must confess, I had my doubts that attendance could be affected by the terrible fog?
I needn’t have worried, attendance was strong from the minute the doors opened to the public, right through to close of play.
The show itself was very interesting, with large professional stands (Tyres, wheels, lighting and the like), to the smaller stands such as ourselves and various 4X4 clubs. The biggest and most pleasant surprise of the day for me though, was without a doubt, the fact that we had succeeded in making the ATUK stand look equally as professional as most, if no all of the big players and in the case of all of the smaller stands, we had the most attractive and appealing stand.
The day itself was tiring, with Debi, Kieren and Dan manning the stand itself, while I stationed myself in the walkway opposite our stand, to grab anyone who looked interested, but couldn’t get in close due to numbers.
It worked, we signed nine new members up and talked to many more, the whole experience had been a resounding success.
A big thankyou to Debi, Dan and Kieren for the effort in making the day a resounding success!
We have since received compliments from some of the attendees and the show organisers themselves, on our professional appearance and approach, my already strong friendship with my co attendees has been further cemented and we’re already in discussion as to what other events and what else we could do, to further promote ATUK.
Watch this space.
Marc Rue
