Hans Franke wrote: Surely every VCF event is pretty unique? Isn't it more important that whoever organises it has been to other shows of a similar size where the displays are mainly provided by private enthusiasts? Just a thought anyway - obviously there are some requirements of a VCF that may not be at other shows (adequate power, building cooling etc.), but I'd be surprised if the bulk of the experience can't be drawn from other types of show too? cheers Jules

VCF is more than just some tables and grey boxes atop. VCF is modelled afer a core design that should be followed to produce a VCF, and not any other hobbyist gathering. You're right, that every VCF is special and differs. For one size does influence style - a small event will differ from a large one. Same goes for the venue it is held - an old sports hall will give a diffeent flair than some university rooms or the CHM. The usage of a shooting guilds trophy room for speeches will definitly give a twist compared to an auditorium. And last but equaly important, some parts of the VCF concept might need to be adepted to local circumstances - for example while at the VCF in California the Fleamarket is a large operation, and consignment just a hidden, small part, VCFe emphasis on Consignment as the only chanal for retail. Or, at VCF a well defined system of awards are given to attendees for their exhibitions, in contrast, VCFe only knows a 'Publikumspreis' (visitors choice) as awards. These changes ar part to addapt to different organisation forms, part to adept for law reasons. This flexibility is part of the VCF concept to transfer the core structure and idea into different settings and sets it apart from the dozends of shows for classic computer enthusiasts, that come up every other year. High hopes and low outcome. Beside the VCFe there are only two other non brand specific shows, here in Germany, that made it past the first year. One made it by now into the third year, but the show still fits into a small class room, the other (XzentriX) did just have it's 9th incarnation - sizeing about half of VCFe, but with an total different aproach - a gymn hall setup with tables, where people show up with their stuff and have a great weekend. A very minimalistic contra to VCF if you want - I enjoy it every year :) Again, having experience with other shows is a great plus. Only an aperenticeship (if I may call it that way) for the producer at one of the large VCF is not just a good idea. Furthermore I think Sallam or myself will be glad to help at and arround the event. <<<<<<< ---------------- Again, I second what Hans wrote. VCF is like no other show I've attended, and having every edition follow the format of the California event is the reason why Sellam's franchise has been so successful. A twist we took at VCF East 3.0 (the past two were before my club's involvement) was hosting the event at a historic venue. Our club is based at a science museum which used to be both a Marconi Wireless facility (built in 1912) and, later, it was a U.S. Army secret research base. That definitely added a uniqueness factor. We also had an informal mentoring process for the exhibitors who hadn't previously participated in a VCF -- it's hard to do that if the organizer(s) haven't been to one themselves. The most important factors for the exhibits, which organizers must STRONGLY emphasize, is that they all have a solid theme (vs. just "here's all my stuff") and that appearance and presentation are just as vital as content and research.