Official Statement by the GCCF Supreme Show Committee
THE long-awaited ‘crunch’ GCCF Council meeting, at which (amongst other things) the fate of who publiAt the February Council meeting the Supreme Show Committee was obliged to announce a change of date by one week to the previously published date of this year’s show.
The Hall Manager had been informed by the NEC that, having assessed the outcome of last years MPH show (a multi day motoring event with all the Top Gear presenters) held the week before the Supreme 2007, but due to be held the same day as the Supreme in 2008, they had decided that, in the interests of both parties, and taking into account the problems that occurred to the Supreme in 2006, the Supreme Show should consider moving one week, to avoid major site management problems.
Were the two to be held on the same date, exhibitors, trade stands and visitors to the Supreme Show would have horrendous problems in getting in and out of the site, as well as parking problems. Whilst the specific terms cannot be published, the NEC and GCCF have negotiated a mutually beneficial package which eases the problems of the NEC site management and has a significant beneficial effect on the costings for this year’s Supreme show.
In view of the potential problems and the financial outcome of the 2007 Show, the Committee felt that they had no option but to recommend the change to Council, but very much regrets the inconvenience caused to the Clubs with shows arranged for the 29th November.
Having a requirement of a floor space approx 20,000 sq meters reduces the options for venues for the show to only the largest of exhibition centres and covering a hall charge for not only floor space but all the ancillary services of security, electricity, cleaning etc that go with it totalling in the region of £100,000 is no mean feat and depends to a large extent on the goodwill and support of our commercial partners. It has never been the financial remit of the Supreme Show to make profits from our exhibitors (Cat Fancy or Commercial) but to “break even” as far as is possible.
In the early days, when the show was considerably smaller, it was run by a band of volunteers, by hand, in exactly the same way as all other club shows.
It was nearly ten years before it was actually able to be run without losing money, but during that time it was supported by the general funds of the GCCF, with the agreement of Council, as our flagship show. In view of the ever increasing size of the show at the end of the1980s, the GCCF computer was programmed to deal with the pedigree entries in order to improve speed of handling and accuracy of records. With the help of its expansion and financial success the show has, since then, paid back to the general GCCF account each year an agreed sum which represents the financial outlay due to the use of office equipment and staff time of over £20,000.
Thus the show has benefited the Fancy as a whole each year and the Committee has tried to maintain a financial balance so as not to overcharge those who contribute to its success.
Whilst the 2006 show in itself was successful, the move dictated by the NEC to use the older halls caused major problems, particularly with respect to the traffic managements systems and this had a severe knock on effect financially on the 2007 show despite the return to the “new” halls.
The full accounts have not yet been audited but early indications are that, for the first time for many years, a financial deficit (in the region of £30,000) has occurred, before allowing for the normal contribution to the general GCCF account.
This was caused by a small loss in the number of cat exhibitors but in the main by a loss of stallholders and one major sponsor (Hills) who withdrew their support half way through the year for their own commercial reasons.
The Committee is obviously extremely concerned at this turn of events and felt that the change of date was essential to avoid any further traffic inconvenience and to take advantage of the compensatory offer made by the NEC.
It is evident that November is becoming crowded with larger, multi-day events and the Hall Manager has initiated discussions with the NEC as to whether there might me a more suitable time to hold the show in terms of availability of halls providing a firm booking date which is not subject to the vagaries of other events.
To this end the suggestion of the period at the end of April has mooted. This has not yet been discussed in detail by the Committee as it has only just been raised but, in the interests of keeping Council fully informed, the possibility of a change of time of year to the spring for the 2009/2010 show season was raised so that the desirability or otherwise of such a change could be discussed by the Cat Fancy as a whole.
The Committee is fully aware of, and very much regrets, the difficulties caused to cat clubs and the Cat Fancy in general, to visitors to the show, to advertisers, publishers of calendars etc caused by having to change a date which has already been published.
A decision as to the date of the 2009/2010 show will have to made soon in order to give maximum notice to everyone that might be affected by it.
To this end, any constructive contributions to the discussions may be made to the Committee via the Pedigree Section Manager at Highridge, Parsonage Hill, Somerton TA11 7PF or dgoadby@aol.com
* Note: The theme for the Decorated Pen Competition this year is “MAGIC!”
From The GCCF Supreme Show Committee
