Best wargaming shows to attend?

[Imperial Dave]

Not sure if this has been asked before but....

What are the best wargaming shows to attend in people's opinion? I know that's like asking how long is a piece of string...

I guess I could ask what makes a good wargames show and thus what the best ones are according to that criteria

Thoughts?

[Imperial Dave]

In fact I could ask it thus:

Best wargaming shows overall but split into

Best show for competitions
Best show for traders
Best show for ease of attendance/transport links
Best shows for participation games
Best shows for friendliness/inclusiveness

[Denis Grey]

Of the ones I have been to, I would say

Best show for competitions - Britcon.  Essentially a mass of competitions with some trade stands tacked on.

Best show for traders - SALUTE.  Masses of them, but it can be a bit frenetic.

Best show for ease of attendance/transport links - SALUTE again and not just because I live in London. The DLR delivers you there and takes you away when you've had enough.  Also the Warlords seem to have got the queuing/admission arrangements down to a fine art.

Best shows for participation games - Hammerhead.  Almost entirely participation.

Best shows for friendliness/inclusiveness - A difficult choice, but probably Hammerhead again.

That said, it's a small field, made smaller by excluding the shows that have dropped away.  It's years since my one visit to Warfare; I've never been to Colours or Partizan; and next month will be my first time at Attack.

[Imperial Dave]

I might see you at Attack with a favorable wind....

[Nick Harbud]

Stupid question.  It's Colours, of course, 6^th September.

Denis has obviously led a very sheltered life when it comes to wargaming shows if he has never visited Colours.

 

[Denis Grey]

.......

Denis has obviously led a very sheltered life when it comes to wargaming shows if he has never visited Colours.

 

Must be my shy and retiring nature, Nick.

[Imperial Dave]

What about Colours....any good? 

[Keraunos]

I might see you at Attack with a favorable wind....

So, let me get this straight, you are thinking of sailing to Devizes from Wales, emulating the ancients who carried the bluestones from Wales to Stonehenge?  The wind may carry you to Bristol but from there its shankses pony, narrow boats or buses.

[Erpingham]

I suspect Dave refers to his intention to arrive by micro-light aircraft.

[Imperial Dave]

I may need assistance of an organisational kind

Ie too much to do and getting a pass for a day may require byzantine diplomacy

[Nick Harbud]

Although to the best of my knowledge it no longer runs, I always enjoyed the Triathlon competition hosted by Milton Keynes Wargames.  This event involved turning up late Friday afternoon and playing continuously until around 4:00 pm on Sunday.  Each team had 4 members.  Each round involved 3 guys playing an opponent with armies drawn from the WRG books 1-3 while the fourth team member would sleep, eat, etc.

Unsurprisingly, there were no trade stands or other distractions.

Debate continues as to whether competitors ended up more wrecked than during more conventional, physical triathlon events.  All I can say is that of all the trophies on my mantelpiece, this one is the most valued.

 

[Imperial Dave]

Sounds delightful 

[Ian61]

I wonder if Nick might be dropping hints that he thinks Colours is by far the best show?   

[Imperial Dave]

Hard to tell...

[Jim Webster]

At Newbury it's a bit far south for me I'm afraid. Hopefully we're doing Phalanx this year