Annual exhibition – how did we do?

Our annual exhibition is over for another 12 months, and before we move on too quickly, it’s worth reflecting on the results from this year.

Now that the dust has settled and we’ve had time to review what was achieved, it’s clear that there were a number of highlights:

• we had around 1500 visitors during the week, taking us back to the sort of attendance we’ve enjoyed in the past, pre-pandemic
• financially the exhibition did well beating the budget, or in the words of David Harris, our outgoing treasurer, “we smashed it”.
• we sold ALL of the catalogues – we’ve never done that before! In fact we even resold some catalogues, as visitors handed them back for ‘recycling’ when they left
• sales of cards were higher than usual
• we had a record number of requests for prints from the exhibition. Some of that interest may not translate into sales, when prices and postage costs are discussed, but it is another good indicator of the quality and range of the work displayed and how it touches people
• a number of visitors expressed interest in joining the club and indeed have already come along to meetings. That’s a real boost
• refreshments did very well, as ever, making not only a financial contribution but adding to the welcoming atmosphere
• lots of really positive feedback from visitors, both at the time and since. They enjoyed not only the photography but also the general ambience and the people they met.

It was a lot of work by a lot of people, but worth it, and it demonstrates what a very special camera club we are and the foundation of that is its membership working together. Here’s to next year.