Uni Airsoft Showcase Stall

[Airsoft-Ed]

Basically, I've got the go-ahead from Uni to set up at stall for one of the activity fairs during Freshers week, so I'm just wondering if you guys have any ideas that I could entail in order to improve it?

If you think you've got one, throw it in the pot and I'll see if it's something I could do.

Also, if you have any legal advice about it, Finius? Then please also add that.

 

[Deva]

I don't see why you couldn't have a few guns out. Make sure they don't have batteries in though and you keep your eye on them. It's not like you're getting them out in 'public', it's a specific event to promote airsoft.

 

[Hibernator]

I'd think printing out some large glossy pics of games in action would give a good idea of what it's about too. If you can stretch to a looping vid on a monitor with in game footage that may be a good idea? There are plenty of good vids on YouTube etc..

Some kit and guns on display would help (no batteries as suggested), although be prepared for the odd politically correct numpty who objects to guns and will complain that they are on display!

 

[Airsoft-Ed]

Yeah by go-ahead I meant they're allowing us to have the guns on show, I guess I ought to have made that clearer.

I've got Yorkshire Tactical Airsoft's owner coming down with some hire kit and hopefully some leaflets/pamphlets and also, hopefully a large banner with the society's name and details on it.

I was thinking we could set up a large walk in tent, to make it look a bit more army-ish, if you know what I mean? I'm not sure we have access to any though, and I don't plan on buying one, so we'll have to see about that.

Might also set up a few board things and print off a ton of photos to stick all over it.

Do you think I ought to let people handle the guns? At the Arms Fair there's the occasional incident where I'll pick something up and it will appear broken, then for fear of being blamed I just lay it back down and don't go near it again. I don't want to risk anything of mine being dropped or broken... I guess I'll just have to make sure the whole thing is thoroughly policed.

Anyone have any other ideas?

 

[Deva]

If someone seems genuinely interested then let them have a play but just be with them the whole time so they aren't inclined to do anything stupid which would involve dropping/breaking any of your stuff.

 

[Tariq]

We've got to do the same.

Depending on your uni, you can get guns out. Just make sure its not around the public. We will have to be indoors for our fair as its a city campus and people can just walk through.

Although we're having people dress up in camo gear and walking around to promote... flyers, directions, info etc.

Try and find a way to secure the guns to the table.. via a chain or something. People handling them can get a bit fussy. People will take a while to move on and you end up missing people. Plus do you really want hundreds of people touching your gear?

 

[Airsoft-Ed]

I don't want anyone touching my precious gear, Tariq lol. However, if they are personally supervised by me after showing a genuine interest then I wouldn't mind so much.

I might consider chain linking things to the table, but since the table won't be fastened down it seems sort of pointless.

I've thought about having some players wearing their gear and holding their guns, as sort of living display models. That way the guns won't just be sat there for people to handle, some back and forth chattering will be required if anyone wants to have a play with anything.

If a chav/gangsta/obvious-asshole comes near me I'm more likely to mag up than let them touch anything. :lol:

Large pictures is a good idea, I've already thought about it, I'm thinking of getting some display boards put up in a semi-circle around the "gun table" and if it's possible I'll get a large monitor (good suggestion) with some scoutthedoggie playlists on repeat or something. If not I'll just take my laptop in and have the playlist running on that.

I can deal with PCminded arseholes coming and having a go, in fact I welcome it, educating people is the main aim of this whole thing after all lol.

 

[Tariq]

indeed.

As an ambassador for the sport, we can't really judge peoples reason for interest, weather its a COD nut or someone keen on the armed forces.

Well chains make it better. Harder to run off with the gun... and a table

 

[Alexb111]

The best advice I can give is have a good number of people to stuff. I helped run a freshers stall for Taekwondo at Coventry uni last year and the main problem was that there was a fair bit on display (rubber training knives, belts, breakboards etc) and when everyone else left for 20 minutes to grab lunch I was alone trying to keep track of things which isn't easy when people keep asking you things.

Saw a airsoft stall at Coventry last year with guns out as well, they just had the table set in a corner so they could keep a good overview and make sure nothing went walkabout.