Scale Model World 2020

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DerekF
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Joined: Sun 07 Sep 2008, 7:54 am
Location: Handforth, Cheshire, UK

Scale Model World 2020

Post by DerekF »

I've had an email today saying that, not surprisingly, the IPMS ScaleModelWorld 2020 at Telford is cancelled.

It is with a great deal of regret that IPMS (UK) has to announce that Scale ModelWorld 2020 has been cancelled.
The level of uncertainty regarding the long term impact of Covid 19 means that despite our best efforts, it will not be possible to hold the event as scheduled on 7th and 8th November 2020. This will be the first time we have had to cancel our annual IPMS (UK) national show since our inaugural 'National Championships' took place in 1967. The decision has been a tough one to make but it is clearly the right one in these circumstances.
Over the past four months IPMS (UK) has considered several different formats in order to allow us to host Scale ModelWorld in some form. We have engaged with the traders who were planning to attend Scale ModelWorld as well as our extensive Branch and Special Interest Group network to seek their views on a number of aspects relating to the show. We would like to thank both the traders and our Branch and SIG Leaders for all the constructive and positive feedback we have received.
We have also continued to maintain contact with the Southwater Event Group, the company that operates The International Centre in Telford where Scale ModelWorld has been held since 1998. IPMS (UK) and the Southwater Event Group have a close working relationship, developed over the last two decades and this has allowed us to explore a range of options. Unfortunately, The rapidly changing Covid-19 situation in the United Kingdom during late July and early August has made it abundantly clear that despite our best efforts, neither party can offer any confidence that it will be possible to hold Scale ModelWorld in any form this year.
We are therefore extremely grateful to the Southwater Event Group for offering us the opportunity to cancel this year's show with no financial penalty. At the same time, we are renewing our relationship to cover the next three years and are rolling over our deposit payment from 2020 towards that end.
If you wish to know more please see our Frequently Asked Questions web page at
https://ipmsuk.org/scale-modelworld-202 ... ions-faqs/
Finally, the Executive Committee would like to express their thanks and appreciation for the level of confidence and support expressed to us by so many members of IPMS (UK) and the wider modelling community in these difficult times. We are sorry that we will have to disappoint everyone who was looking forward to attending Scale ModelWorld 2020 but also reassured that you appreciate the work we have undertaken to try and make it happen.
We look forward to seeing everyone again on 13th and 14th November 2021.

The IPMS (UK) Executive Committee

FarnboroJohn
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Joined: Tue 28 Aug 2012, 6:57 pm

Re: Scale Model World 2020

Post by FarnboroJohn »

Sounds like intelligent actions on all sides.

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keithjs
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Joined: Thu 04 Sep 2008, 8:28 pm
Location: High Wycombe

Re: Scale Model World 2020

Post by keithjs »

Personally, looking at the way things are going and peoples paranoia about social distancing etc :mask: I really can't see it (or any other model show) be it plastic or railways even happening next year....Just my opinion... :thinking: I think the only answer is going to be a reliable vaccine, and apparently that could be years away....
...Rad shutters auto.

Ant.H
Posts: 156
Joined: Wed 15 Jan 2020, 2:21 am

Re: Scale Model World 2020

Post by Ant.H »

Put simply, we just don't know what the future holds. In my opinion it's wise to have cancelled SMW this year, but also to plan one for next year. Humanity has to keep some semblance of normality going and it has been possible to run a surprisingly diverse range of events already this year (outdoor theatre, historic railways running etc) so it may well go ahead when things have settled down a bit.

Fingers crossed for next year, modelling is certainly one area that has boomed in lock down.

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