EPILOGUE;
Well i'm back from the BSM 2017 and all i can say is WOW!!!! 8)
I was NOT prepared for the sheer size of this thing, and have since heard it is in the 5x of the biggest in Sthn Hem.,...what with modded motor pushies, mini-bikes, powered skateboards and powered High Flyer carts, to wild custom drag alongs, and movement everywhere you look. And that was JUST the SPECTATORS/PUNTERS.
Obviously many there had been before and knew what to expect, and the fastest way to do it. This thing covered ACRES and i estimate it was 2 - 3.5 times bigger than the Bendigo Meet last month!!!!
I had an 'indoor' site last month, and didn't feel i got in front of enough people, should have reversed my strategy...and paid the extra buck$ for the benefit...although i didn't see the 'indoor' #'s yet and hope i can get some more feedback from the organizers once they've done an analysis for themselves.
:8 ..silly me didn't account for the day-long constant bloody wind, this was my first time spending 14+ hrs outside whilst in Ballarat, and it was Thurs/Fri/Sat....you folks who detect around Ballarat have my :Y: ...geez it's enough to give you bowel problems..
And a headache..
However, i digress. That place can make you broke realll quick...i felt like a kid in the candy store, and only got to see a very small 'section' not nearly ALL of it (ran out of time)...and plenty of what i call 'exotic', hardly seen, or hard to get goods to be had. Mind you, the colloquialism.."One man's trash,...." was certainly on parade for all to see as well
Must be a lot of artsists there looking for inspiration...i can't think what some of that stuff would otherwise be useful for, but strokes for folks, and i am no-one to judge :8
In the end, i had a good time, learnt some crucial issues in my approach, and also met some great folks looking to restore their loved items and heard some great accounts of how they came into possession of their pride...
Was also good to reach out to a few of the traders around me and make some connections,....which is what it was all about in the end.
Will wait 2-3 mnths for an assessment of 'business' value before re-booking, but i can definitely see myself there in one form or another next year, and maybe i will be fortunate to hear from a PA member or two next time as well.
Oh yeah, and a special call-out [G'day] to the IRL gypsy, who made himself know to me...sorry i didn't catch you on Sat. bloke, but your a memorable fella, and i'll catch you round the traps for that 'drink' 'ol mate...good luck to you till then, and try and keep your hands warm in future eh?
Anyway, that's a wrap for me for this thread unless directly referenced, but by all means feel free to contribute any info. or feedback you may have if you attended, this year or past, or passing on tales from friends who attended.
Regards
Gypsy