Excursions
I went to London recently to attend the annual trade show “Excursions”.
I always find it useful and interesting to go these shows. It’s not so much that I find out things I didn’t previously know, it’s more a question of chatting to people that I’ve either not seen for ages or have only spoken to on the phone, so that faces can be put to names.
I was able to talk to Mark Smith of Quest in the West Midlands. I am guiding on Mark’s Coach Trip “Leicestershire Wanderer” around Melton Mowbray, Hallaton and Market Harborough in March.
Some of the other exhibitors that I was able to chat to were Canterbury, Chester, Colchester Zoo, East of England Tourist Board, English Heritage, Enjoy Hertfordshire, Geffrye Museum, Gosport Waterfront, Group Days Out, Huntingdonshire, Jane Austen’s Hampshire, London Zoo (hello Jenny Bidwell), Museum of Kent Life, National Trust, The Oxford Story and Christ Church, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Royal Air Force Museum, Royal Shakespeare Company, Salisbury and Stonehenge, Shrewsbury Flower Show, Spinnaker Tower, Suffolk (hello David Stainer of Ipswich), Visit London’s Waterways and Visit Colchester (hello Carol Jolly of Essex).
The entertainment included Gilbert and Sullivan songs from the company at Grims Dyke Hotel – great stuff.
London Cuppa provided refreshments – their excellent tea.
“Excursions” was this year celebrating its 30th anniversary, and as always drew group travel organisers from all over the South East.
For the last few years it has been held at Alexandra Palace, an excellent venue.
Posted by colin on Thursday 19th January, 2006 at 6:40am