Vat Allocation explained

For the Koi enthusiast who has always wondered how the vat allocation system works at the BKKS National Show here is your guide.

• Exhibitors List:   previous year’s exhibitors
• Reserves List:   previous exhibitors who have not shown for the past two years
• Waiting List:   potential exhibitors who have not shown at the BKKS National Show before.

From the closure of the National Show for current year exhibitors, potential exhibitors are already registering on the waiting list for the following years show.

Paperwork is amended and we aim to send out forms to previous exhibitors at the beginning of March, and it is requested that they return their paperwork, together with payment, by the end of March.   About the 3rd week in March I contact anyone who hasn’t returned their forms to check if they still want a Vat for that year.  If they are not going to show in that year they are put on the Reserve List.

Whilst every effort is made to contact people on the Reserve List, I can only work with the info that I have.  Currently the Reserve List is made up of 21 people.  Of which 11 asked to be contacted in 2010 and who I have sent paperwork to.  There are also 10 people who have not replied to any emails/letters sent out over the past 2 years and they will be removed from the Reserve List (unless they respond this year) after the 2010 show.   

Meanwhile the Waiting List will be growing.  It should be said that we usually aim to reduce the Waiting List by at least half in any one year.  Potential Exhibitors are contacted when vats become available, so if No 1 on the Waiting List is offered a vat and accepts then No 2 on the list will move up and become No 1.  I do not offer any preferential treatment to anyone.  There is no moving up the waiting list just because you have bought the best Koi in the country, it is purely on a first come first served basis.  Everyone on that Waiting List is treated the same and they have the same opportunity as the next man/woman.

OK, so all the previous exhibitors have replied and I have five vats available.  The first five people on the Waiting List are contacted and forms sent out to them.  If they decide not to show they are left on the list and the next person is contacted.  They will remain on the Waiting List for the following year.

I will normally contact potential exhibitors, at the latest, up to one week before the Show if a vat becomes available.  Sometimes they take up the offer and sometimes they don’t because of the short notice.  I cannot legislate for someone dropping out at the last minute and there may be occasions that a vat is empty at the Show.  Normally we can find someone to fill it but if an exhibitor doesn’t turn up on the day there is not a lot that can be done.

I believe that this is the fairest way for everyone who wants to show at the BKKS National Show.

So, if you want to be added to the Waiting List for the British Koi Keepers National Show please contact me on 01344 861525 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it