Brick Fans 2014: France has its "LEGO Show"

Finally returned from a weekend rich in meetings, good times and also lessons. As much to tell you right away, Fans of Bricks 2014 is not the LEGO gathering where I saw the most creations on display. But ultimately, it is not that important and for several reasons.

Bordeaux is a large agglomeration, accessible and very pleasant. Hangar 14 is a superb location, on the banks of the Garonne. The framework is laid, and it is ideal for creating a quality gathering. Fans de Briques 2014 carefully chose the place to put its bricks suitcases and the six hours of road necessary to arrive on site were largely compensated by the discovery of a new, well structured and high-end exhibition space.

The stalls were varied and the "assortment" was sufficiently representative of what is possible with LEGO products. Many LUGs were present (Brickpirate, FreeLUG, LeLUG, ALE Bricks, TechLUG, etc ...), all united with a common goal: to share their passion for LEGO.

Small parenthesis, the Bionifigs convention which took place on the occasion of the event is also a model of discipline, availability and organization. Fans of action figures left nothing to chance: Booth, animations, presentation of new products, etc ... I am regularly amazed by the ability of the members of this LUG to offer something perfectly prepared.

Without falling into the emphasis, I believe that the concept of LEGO exhibition in France has just crossed an important stage. Throughout the weekend, I had the impression of attending a quality consumer event around the LEGO product.

The organization is flawless. Everyone knows what to do, and does it well. the discreet and available volunteers take great care, Christophe Cassuti and Marine in the lead, so that exhibitors, sellers, artists and visitors can devote themselves to their activities without undergoing stress or constraint. I must have been asked about fifty times if everything was okay or if I needed something.

During the weekend, more than 20.000 visitors gathered in the aisles of superb hangar 14 in a cordial and festive atmosphere. The audience was family and the AFOLs present were smiling. We circulated quite well in the aisles, and the events that followed were announced and masterfully managed by Victor.

Emmet and Cool-Tag were there for the children to leave with a souvenir photo, Aurore Kimberley sang LEGO Friends on the stage with a troupe of dancers who knew their job, the exhibitors presented their stand at the microphone and detailed in a few words what 'they had brought in their boxes, interactivity was omnipresent with the construction of a giant mosaic and a space for the little ones to satisfy their brick cravings, Samsofy and Lenz brought an artistic touch to the whole. .

The observation is obvious: It's professional, nothing is left to chance, the mechanics are perfectly oiled and everyone is having a great time. A little nod to the young hostesses present at the four corners of the room and who kept smiling at each question from a visitor looking for the urn for the competition or the catering area.

The poster made an ambitious promise and it is largely kept. Brick Fans 2014 is an exhibition around the LEGO product which, beyond brick-based creations, intelligently offers everything the LEGO universe has to offer. The whole is coherent, high-end and all the feedback I have had from exhibitors or visitors let me think that the concept corresponds to everyone's expectations.

Personally, I had a great weekend. I met many readers of the blog that I thank in passing for their kindness and with whom I was able to exchange a few words, Antoine "Briquefan" was in the corner, equal to himself, and I was finally able to talk in person with the one who in my eyes woke up the small French-speaking world of LEGO on Youtube. It is also always a pleasure to regularly see the AFOLs and artists who come with courage and motivation and according to the gatherings (Milkbrick, Gwenju, Gus, Samsofy, and I forget ...). thank you to them for their availability and their good humor.

The French-speaking LEGO has it found the general public gathering flagship of a small world who wants to share its passion with all those, consumers, collectors, artists, parents and children, who are attracted by the LEGO product? I think so and that's great news.