EuroHarmony Community Forums

Archive => Other Topics => Old Forum => Real-world aviation => Topic started by: EHM-1883 Matt on June 24, 2006, 09:44:56 pm

Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1883 Matt on June 24, 2006, 09:44:56 pm
Had to be made sooner or later;D

Anybody going? I'm going, it's 30 mins down the street from here!

I was thinking of something we can do after, If we're not all tired!

A new Monorail has been built between Birmingham Airport and the Train station which is next to the NEC. We could go to the train station (don't worry, I can show the way) and take the monorail across to the Airport. there, we can go to the spotter area, and watch some planes, and they have aviation tests, and all that stuff. I beat a pilot on the aviation test once!
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1798 Conrad on June 24, 2006, 10:08:50 pm
ok im confused, do you mean the IFC????

I will go to that one......unfortunatly alot of driving for me, 3 hours or so, god dam my legs will be sore after that lol, hmm and will cost me alot on petrol

+ im too lazy to drive up there and back again in one day lol

I think i will book myself into a hotel for that night!
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1671 Ben on June 24, 2006, 10:25:47 pm
Lol, wish I could go. Airline tickets to England are a bit expensive!!
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1703 Philip on June 24, 2006, 10:33:33 pm
There will be a lot of talk about this soon I am sure, once all of the details have been confirmed.

It looks like a few people will be looking for accomodation for the night so I am sure we will try and get a group deal somewhere from one of the Hotels close to the NEC/Airport.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1883 Matt on June 24, 2006, 11:58:44 pm
Ok, here is a Birmingham Geography lesson:

There are the following buildings everyone gets mixed up with:

Symphony Hall (concert hall)
NEC (National Exhibition Center (holding Flight sim conv.))
IFC (convention center (business)
NIA (national Indoor Arena)
Birmingham Airport (airport (duh))
Hippodrome (drama hall)

They are all part of a big group in Birmingham. They are all kind of close, but the NEC is massive, and all the big events are held there like crufts, the worlds biggest dog show. IFC mainly is for business


If any of you need help, I can give you loads! Just ask, and I'll help.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1821 Javier on June 25, 2006, 06:19:23 am
Cheapest way to get there...walk....

Man, i wish that i could go!
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1465 Dominic on June 25, 2006, 02:41:48 pm
Matt & Conrad,

You're both talking about the same thing ;D

The IFC (International Flightsim Convention) is taking place this year at the NEC (National Exhibition Centre)...

I certainly plan to be there, just depends on work...
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1001 Robert on June 25, 2006, 04:22:12 pm
Anybody lives near London ? I would need a lift maybe ... I am planning to go there, but I do not think I can get a low-cost ticket direct to Birmingham, and I do not want to risk the transfer to another plane. ;)
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1883 Matt on June 25, 2006, 04:53:21 pm
Quote
Originally posted by dom1
Matt & Conrad,

You're both talking about the same thing ;D

The IFC (International Flightsim Convention) is taking place this year at the NEC (National Exhibition Centre)...

I certainly plan to be there, just depends on work...


That is very funny, because there is a building called the IFC! It's next to Symphony Hall, and Adrian Boult hall! I just got a big confused.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1001 Robert on June 26, 2006, 10:48:48 am
I can only hope, that you Matt should know it better, as a local hero. ;D Although the event logo contains NEC, so I guess it may still be held there ;)
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1358 Tim on June 26, 2006, 11:18:45 am
Quote
Originally posted by SirRoberto
Anybody lives near London ? I would need a lift maybe ... I am planning to go there, but I do not think I can get a low-cost ticket direct to Birmingham, and I do not want to risk the transfer to another plane. ;)


You could get the train. Or use the national express bus routes (if they have any).
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1883 Matt on June 26, 2006, 05:08:54 pm
Train would be easiest, as Virgin does routes from London to Birmingham
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1703 Philip on June 26, 2006, 06:21:11 pm
Hey Robert,

After our conversation last night, I found you can Fly EasyJet to Bristol from Budapest which is a lot closer to Birmingham than Luton or Gatwick. I still think the Jet2 flights to Manchester are your best option as it is only 45 minutes - 1 hour depending on traffic from the NEC. You also have MALEV (or if you really want to spend some money BA) to EGLL which also cuts about an hour off the travelling time to Birmingham over Luton, Stanstead or Gatwick.

And my offer still stands ;)
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1883 Matt on June 26, 2006, 07:34:25 pm
Here is a website that might give you a choice:

http://www.lastminute.com/site/find/World/Europe/Hungary/Budapest/LMN-Flight-bhx-to-bud.html
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1358 Tim on June 26, 2006, 08:11:41 pm
Quote
Originally posted by philnutt
Hey Robert,

After our conversation last night, I found you can Fly EasyJet to Bristol from Budapest which is a lot closer to Birmingham than Luton or Gatwick. I still think the Jet2 flights to Manchester are your best option as it is only 45 minutes - 1 hour depending on traffic from the NEC. You also have MALEV (or if you really want to spend some money BA) to EGLL which also cuts about an hour off the travelling time to Birmingham over Luton, Stanstead or Gatwick.

And my offer still stands ;)


Ah yes, Manchester. Thats a good option.

What about a meet up at BHX, but in december it would be cold!
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1703 Philip on June 26, 2006, 08:26:52 pm
Sorry guys, Robert was looking for a direct flight to EGBB but there aren't any that we can find, if anybody knows of a company that flies LHBP to EGBB then please let us know.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1883 Matt on June 26, 2006, 09:42:26 pm
You could rent a car, and drive down to NEC, or get a coach or something, or even get a plane.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1798 Conrad on June 26, 2006, 10:17:10 pm
renting a car would be expensive, however if anyone is going to fly into London (Pref Heathrow or Gatwick)  or  Bristol, i would be willing to collect them ;)
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on June 27, 2006, 06:49:02 pm
Quote
Originally posted by EHM-1883
Train would be easiest, as Virgin does routes from London to Birmingham

As a London resident, I wouldn't recommend a London "newb" attempt the trans-London transfer that's involved. Heck, I'm using the train and not looking forward to it at all... S London to Euston/Marylebone is a pig of a journey.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on June 27, 2006, 06:54:20 pm
Quote
Originally posted by philnutt
Sorry guys, Robert was looking for a direct flight to EGBB but there aren't any that we can find, if anybody knows of a company that flies LHBP to EGBB then please let us know.

Phil,

Trick is to think "outside the box"... ;D

http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/Budapest/Birmingham/

Seems that Lufthansa, Swiss, Air France and BMI fly EGBB/LHBP, so it's a fair bet they fly the return leg too... ;)

EDIT: Little digging suggests you'll have to put up with a change of airplane: BMI, Lufthansa and Swiss are all via Frankfurt (EDDF). Air France go via Charles de Gaulle (LFPG).
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on June 27, 2006, 06:56:59 pm
And last post for now, has anyone else gone to the NEC Group website and noticed that the IFC isn't listed at all?

http://www.necgroup.co.uk/
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1365 Benjamin on June 27, 2006, 07:09:31 pm
Well, if we get there and find it is not on, George Michael seems to be there during that weekend... ;)
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1465 Dominic on June 27, 2006, 07:12:50 pm
...and there's a model railway exhibition too !! Anyone ever tried gluing wings onto a model train? We could invade their exhibition if ours isn't running ;D;D;D
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1883 Matt on June 27, 2006, 07:14:33 pm
The NEC is a very busy place. The IFC might be something extremely little for them, so they just haven't put it up, but the group that run the NEC have always been well organized everytime I've done something with them.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on June 27, 2006, 07:19:52 pm
Quote
Originally posted by dom1
...and there's a model railway exhibition too !! Anyone ever tried gluing wings onto a model train? We could invade their exhibition if ours isn't running ;D;D;D


Chuff, chuff, chuff, chuff, WOOWOO! "V1"

;D
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-0005 Maarten on June 27, 2006, 08:02:27 pm
I am thinking of attending the convention too, but I haven't made a decision yet.

For those who travel from/via the Netherlands. A ticket from Amsterdam to Birmingham would cost you €196,60 (including tax)with KLM. There are no flight possibilities with other carriers on this route.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1703 Philip on June 27, 2006, 10:07:09 pm
Wow! Thats expensive Maarten!

The good news for you is that you missed an Airline! Most Online Ticket Searches like Expedia and Cheapflights.com exclude low cost carriers like Easyjet, Ryanair and BMI Baby. I have flown to Amsterdam from Birmingham on BMI Baby before, the low cost version of British Midland.

I just checked their website and they do an outbound flight Friday 1st Dec. from Amsterdam at 1800 Returning on Monday 4th Dec. at 17:35 for 46.62 Euros. (Including Taxes) If you want to fly Saturday and return Sunday it works out at a 46.13 Euros. There are 2 flights a day to/from Amsterdam to Birmingham with BMI Baby except Saturday which is only one flight.

Check out the website at http://www.bmibaby.com

Hope this helps, I am sure it may make your decision a little easier now! I would say you had better book early though as there are a lot of Exhibitors coming over from the Netherlands!
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-0005 Maarten on June 28, 2006, 07:10:43 am
Thanks for the tip Phil. I only took a look at the BMI site and not at BMI Baby. I thought the BMI would show me this flight too, but appearantly not.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1343 Jonathan on June 28, 2006, 09:50:00 am
KLM and Easyjet all opperate to Newcastle from AMS and BUD respectively, and then you can get the train down with me ;D
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1358 Tim on June 28, 2006, 01:53:49 pm
Is the Razza going?
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1343 Jonathan on June 28, 2006, 04:34:19 pm
of course! Problably only for one day though
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1883 Matt on June 28, 2006, 06:10:36 pm
I can't wait to meet all of you. This is going to be great fun!
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1358 Tim on June 28, 2006, 06:19:14 pm
I will see if I can go and whats on.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1358 Tim on June 28, 2006, 06:22:40 pm
Just to point out, were not of there floor plan.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1703 Philip on June 28, 2006, 11:35:21 pm
Tim, just to let you know, the organiser told me that the floorplan will be updated in a couple of weeks as they are running up to the IFC in Denver at the moment and their web team is very busy. For those that are interested, we are basically taking half of stand 31 so this will now be split in to two parts.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM1910 on July 17, 2006, 07:23:15 pm
i live near birmingham to so i should becoming (if i can get a ticket).
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1152 Thomas on August 21, 2006, 12:55:34 am
Just to open this up again.  It's my girlsfriends birthday on the saturday so I would only be able to go on sunday.  I'm just wondering how many of you would be there on the sunday?
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1703 Philip on August 21, 2006, 03:31:44 pm
I'll be there both days, it's looking like it will be a great event with almost all the stands sold now. One tip for those fo you looking for accomodation, book early as the Clothes Show Live exhibition is on at the same time.
Title: NEC convention
Post by: EHM-1507 Manuel on August 22, 2006, 05:01:19 pm
Hi

Stefan and me are tryin to come, too. But i´ts not sure at present
Are there any guys around munich, who´re interested to go there, too??