12 Days at the NEC Bike Show - and still standing!

Yes, we have survived! 12 days after the opening day and what seems like several thousand visitors laterand the show is in its last few hours and slowly starting to wind down. Thought I should write something before the final whistle blows - especially as we then have until midnight to take down the stand and collect up all our goods and chattels! Not that we have much left - the interest has been tremendous and we have given away all but a few of what had seemed to us to be a rather optimistic array of brochures, cards and giveaways.

One of the highlights has been the great partnership we have bult up with our Irish Tour Organiser colleague, Michael (www.motorcycletouring.ie) Being able to offer something to suit just about every level and experience of biking is a definite plus point for us. Also being able to accommodate groups - we have been able to offer packages for a whole range of organised (and not so organised) clubs, groups and just gangs of mates. The National Park Card is a very popular extra - the women particularly are keen NOT to be on the bike 24/7 - and there is so much you can do with the card for free. But the MOST important thing has been our personal knowledge and experience of the area and being able to answer just about any question that is thrown at us. Other people here are just acting as agents for the various accommodation providers and just don't have that ability.

Any way so far we have had confirmed bookings for nearly 100 bed nights (according to the other more experienced exhibitors this is practically unheard of!) plus serious enquiries for many more. We have made contact with a whole range of organisations who are looking for large group accommodation - from the Swansea Hells Angels to the Gay & Lesbian Riders of Europe and the Civil Service Motorbike Association - diverse or what! We have also made links with a number of other tour operators who will be sending people to try us out for their 2011 tours and have, in between, found other non bikers who want to walk, ski or just bring the family out to visit us.

Over 430 people have entered our free draw to date and so we have decided to add an additional 2 prizes of 2 days free B & B, in addition to the first prize of 5 days for 2. Winners names will be announced here, on Facebook and Twitter after 6pm tonight.

All in all coming to the show has been a real success and we are looking forward to reaping the benefits over the coming months and introducing a lot more British people to our lovely area of Austria. Definitely planning on coming back next year.

Thanks to Matt, Becky and Sam and Michael for all their help.

(sorry no photos today - uploader will just not work! Will try again later).