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View Full Version : Going to my first pen show - Washington DC 2014



Ian
June 24th, 2014, 09:25 PM
Hi

I just booked my plane ticket and hotel for the DC show in August. I am taking a red eye from San Francisco and will be arriving at IAD at 6 am on Friday. I would like to check out some of the Smithsonian museums and monuments downtown. My original idea was to go sightseeing on Friday and do the pen show on Saturday and Sunday. An alternate plan would be to get a trader pass and go to the show on Friday and Sunday and go to the museums on Saturday. Plan three is go to the show three days and check out downtown on one or more afternoons. Several of the museums are open until 7 or 7:30 and I can see the museums in the evening. What would you suggest? Is Friday a lot less crowded than the weekend?

How much fun is a pen show once the money is gone? I have a small list of pens I am looking for and am looking forward to seeing things I don't know about yet. Once all the money is spent, is it too depressing to wander around looking at all the pens you can't buy?

Any advice for a pen show novice is appreciated.

Thank you
-Ian

earthdawn
June 24th, 2014, 09:57 PM
While I bring nothing to the table in answering your questions... I can tell you this

the DC Supershow is "THE" show to be at !!!

Wish I could say I was going.

snedwos
June 24th, 2014, 10:59 PM
I would like to go. In fact I've been planning to go all year, but it's being hard to commit myself to it at the moment.

fpquest
June 25th, 2014, 01:12 AM
Based on my visit last year, Friday is less crowded but not all the vendors are there yet. Saturday was the busiest day. Sunday is less crowded. Some vendors leave early Sunday (or skip it) while others may be willing to deal more so they don't have to carry it home.

I did a trader pass last year and it was ideal to get nib work done since there's fewer people and it was a relaxing atmosphere. It was also easier to talk to people since they were less busy.

Mags
June 25th, 2014, 04:56 AM
Here is my advice based on my experience and circumstances. I went with a trader pass last year. It allowed me to roll in at 2 am on Friday morning and be out looking at pens at 9 am. I made the mistake of thinking everyone from Friday is there Sat and they may have been but they moved tables and I never found them or the pen I was wanting Friday.


I did 1-2 hrs of pen show Fri-Sun while my kids slept in. Then 1 hr of treasure hunting with my 10 year old one afternoon and there was 1 hour at the wine reception. We also spent 1.5 hours at the ink table. That was contrasted with 2.5 hours finding and shopping at Sally's Beauty Supply for my daughter. 5 hours for a visit at Smithsonian. 3 hours in the pool. Plus normal restaurant stuff and waits.

I recommend Friday for shopping and nib work. Sat early for show specials and a few people get a free bag I think it was 1-200 folks. I missed it. Go to DC Museums Sat late morning and afternoon and time your return for 5 pm to visit the show. Sun is so so. This is deals and barter day though so what's your strategy to buy early or late? Remember cash offers if accepted are not insulting. The same offer on Friday and Sunday has different results.

There is also stuff to sign up for and demos and I would think a beer in the lounge with pen lovers after the tables are covered which was tough for me with the kids who were bored as it was with their father at a pen convention.

This year I booked a flight and will come solo. I want to savour last years memories with the kids and take in a Frid workshop. I plan to fly in Thurs night and leave Sat after lunch. So thankful to fly and not be driving 11 hours each way from outskirts of Toronto.

So hope my advice helps you. See you at the DC show.

caribbean_skye
June 25th, 2014, 05:50 AM
There is a lot of fun to be had wandering around, talking to people and just taking in the experience and energy of the place long after you have spent all thr money you have taken with you.

Crazyorange
June 25th, 2014, 07:29 AM
Great question Ian. I'm arriving Thursday to relax by the pool. I was wondering if there was flexibility to get into DC. From mags description, sounds like its doable. I wonder if the subway opened up yet. Has anyone heard?

Ian
June 25th, 2014, 07:53 AM
Thanks, Mags. That is the kind of detailed advice I was looking for.

Crazyorange, the date was just announced. http://silverlinemetro.com/silver-line-opening-date-announced/ As long as nothing goes wrong, it will open on July 26. There is a silver line station at the Tysons Corner mall. The hotel shuttle stops at the mall. I think it is about two miles from the hotel, so a taxi should be pretty inexpensive if the shuttle schedule is inconvenient.

ardgedee
June 25th, 2014, 01:56 PM
Give yourself a day off from the pen show. You'll enjoy it more if you're not trying to optimize your time around it. And find places to eat beyond the hotel's restaurants.

Many (maybe most, maybe all) dealers accept plastic, but bring cash anyway for small things. You'll be doing dealers a favor by not making them pay minimum charges on $5 transactions, and the sale will go faster when you can pay exact change.

When you see something you want and the price is good, get it. It might not be there when you visit the table again.

Take the opportunity to try out some pens you might not consider buying. It's a great way to discover new things.

Mags
June 25th, 2014, 05:39 PM
Happy to help Ian.

rgperedo
June 25th, 2014, 10:39 PM
I was debating about going to the DC show as well. I'm in NY and I have family in DC, so it's almost a no brainer as long as I can get off from work. I'm excited and also of course curious about how it'll be, i've never been to a pen show before.

Jon Szanto
June 25th, 2014, 11:11 PM
For those of you first-timers, you might want to check out a thread that's been 'stickied' at the top of this forum, entitled "Pen Show Dynamics". Lots of good info to prepare you.

Another fun read is AltecGreen's writeup of LA 2014. (http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/6002-LA-Pen-Show-2014-Report) You guys will have a great time, it's always fun!

Ray-VIgo
June 27th, 2014, 09:56 PM
I am pretty sure I'm going again this year. I don't do as much with fountain pens as I used to and I'm pretty happy with my collection as it is, so this is my only show of the year.

welch
June 29th, 2014, 12:19 AM
The best thing about a pen show is meeting other fountain pen fanatics...especially the repair / sales specialists you have read about. Fine people...warm, eager to pass-on knowledge.

Be sure to get a pen tuned by Richard Binder or John Mottishaw. Get a repair done by Ron Zorn. Laugh. You don't have to spend a bundle buying pens. The pen-people are the core of the show. (Of course, someone will have a table full of Parker - parts...P51 barrels and sections, some caps.

Go to he lectures. Sign up for the pen collectors group. Check the inks...this is your chance to see them live.

It's not entirely about money and selling.

Tracy Lee
June 29th, 2014, 11:06 AM
The best thing about a pen show is meeting other fountain pen fanatics...especially the repair / sales specialists you have read about. Fine people...warm, eager to pass-on knowledge.

Be sure to get a pen tuned by Richard Binder or John Mottishaw. Get a repair done by Ron Zorn. Laugh. You don't have to spend a bundle buying pens. The pen-people are the core of the show. (Of course, someone will have a table full of Parker - parts...P51 barrels and sections, some caps.

Go to he lectures. Sign up for the pen collectors group. Check the inks...this is your chance to see them live.

It's not entirely about money and selling.

Excellent advice. I am all about the human side of the show and had a blast last year!!

vanness1938
June 30th, 2014, 06:25 PM
This will be our first trip to the DC show in 15 years. As a vendor we look forward to visiting some of our customers, and obtaining feedback on various merchandise we have been testing. We will take a LOT of Ink- a variety of pens- and a few collectors will be helping us behind the counter. Previously we have only attended 2 shows a year, so this is BIG for our little old family business. As a customer I always have a list of pens I am seeking, and I stick to my list. For example a yellow/ green Duofold (hard to find) and a specific vintage Cartier.

Tracy Lee
July 1st, 2014, 08:21 AM
This will be our first trip to the DC show in 15 years. As a vendor we look forward to visiting some of our customers, and obtaining feedback on various merchandise we have been testing. We will take a LOT of Ink- a variety of pens- and a few collectors will be helping us behind the counter. Previously we have only attended 2 shows a year, so this is BIG for our little old family business. As a customer I always have a list of pens I am seeking, and I stick to my list. For example a yellow/ green Duofold (hard to find) and a specific vintage Cartier.

It will be so great seeing you there! :-)

Mags
July 5th, 2014, 04:38 AM
It will be nice to come and see your table.

snedwos
July 8th, 2014, 10:24 AM
Just booked the hotel!

writingrav
July 8th, 2014, 01:00 PM
I am pretty certain now that I will be coming down, Sunday only. Hope to be there when the doors open and hope some of you will still be around.

snedwos
July 8th, 2014, 02:04 PM
I will!

TerraNoir
July 8th, 2014, 07:33 PM
I am pretty certain now that I will be coming down, Sunday only. Hope to be there when the doors open and hope some of you will still be around.

Thats so awesome. I should still be around for sure!

writingrav
July 8th, 2014, 07:34 PM
I am pretty certain now that I will be coming down, Sunday only. Hope to be there when the doors open and hope some of you will still be around.

Thats so awesome. I should still be around for sure!
Great.

Tracy Lee
July 9th, 2014, 04:24 AM
I am pretty certain now that I will be coming down, Sunday only. Hope to be there when the doors open and hope some of you will still be around.

Thats so awesome. I should still be around for sure!

Me too, I don't fly out until Monday morning.

snedwos
July 11th, 2014, 06:26 PM
Train tickets booked! Yay!

Snargle
July 11th, 2014, 06:36 PM
I'll be there first thing Saturday. I went last year and it was amazing! :)

JoeFromNashville
July 11th, 2014, 07:58 PM
I would second all of this advice. Friday is a great day to shop--it's not nearly as crowded, vendors have time to chat a bit, and often you can find some more "unique" pens that don't hang around until the end of the show. BUT if you get lucky you can find some great deals on pens people want to unload Sunday before they go home--so holding out until Sunday is a risk/reward proposition.

Your odds of getting a slot with a nibmeister are MUCH higher Friday than on the weekend, in my experience.

HeresyHammer
July 14th, 2014, 12:51 PM
Your odds of getting a slot with a nibmeister are MUCH higher Friday than on the weekend, in my experience.

That's good to know. I'll be there too on Friday and need my Visconti Opera Elements tuned. The thing scratches as all get out and although the tines are aligned, it appears to have minor inverted grand canyoning. That my first stop at the show, get the DIVA fixed and then shop. :)

Tracy Lee
August 2nd, 2014, 04:53 PM
Thanks, Mags. That is the kind of detailed advice I was looking for.

Crazyorange, the date was just announced. http://silverlinemetro.com/silver-line-opening-date-announced/ As long as nothing goes wrong, it will open on July 26. There is a silver line station at the Tysons Corner mall. The hotel shuttle stops at the mall. I think it is about two miles from the hotel, so a taxi should be pretty inexpensive if the shuttle schedule is inconvenient.

Just looking at the DC threads and making note of who all is coming! Just to add updates for those who didn't know or haven't seen, Metro Silver is up and operational and the hotel is off the Spring Hill stop just by a block or so. It is clearly visible from the stop and an easy walk as it is on the same side of the street. See everyone there!!

penultress
August 2nd, 2014, 05:50 PM
Tracy, that's really great to know! Actually, I'm flying into Dulles and, if there isn't a complimentary shuttle, I understand it's best just to taxi it from there. However, I'm going to Union Station for the train on the way back so the Silver Line info is definitely useful! See you there! Julie

Tracy Lee
August 2nd, 2014, 07:34 PM
Tracy, that's really great to know! Actually, I'm flying into Dulles and, if there isn't a complimentary shuttle, I understand it's best just to taxi it from there. However, I'm going to Union Station for the train on the way back so the Silver Line info is definitely useful! See you there! Julie

Pretty sure there will be complimentary transportation. A taxi ride is short and sweet though. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Mags
August 5th, 2014, 11:39 AM
I hope to try the free shuttle but may take the metro as well. I really need to pack and get ready so given some rain today it may be later this afternoon I make my list and pack.

Tracy Lee
August 5th, 2014, 12:01 PM
I hope to try the free shuttle but may take the metro as well. I really need to pack and get ready so given some rain today it may be later this afternoon I make my list and pack.

Metro is great from National/Reagan, but it doesn't connect through to Dulles so just depends on your airport. Cab rides are expensive from National/Reagan to Sheraton, but Sheraton has a shuttle that goes to Dulles.

Steph
August 5th, 2014, 12:27 PM
For those planning on the free shuttle from Dulles: they just announced a change in location for the shuttle pick up. Instead of 2H, the shuttle will pick up at Departures United Zone 4.

Mags
August 5th, 2014, 04:09 PM
Thanks Steph

tandaina
August 5th, 2014, 05:09 PM
Aaaahhhhhhhh!

I will be just a few miles away for parents weekend at Annapolis. Pretty sure the boys will want to spend their free day in DC, but no *way* they'll want to spend it at a pen show. So I'll just wave as we sail by.

writingrav
August 5th, 2014, 05:23 PM
Then why do they call it parents weekend?

buddha1200
August 6th, 2014, 01:08 AM
This will be my first pen show.
Will be driving down from Philadelphia on saturday on saturday morning.
Hope to see you guys there.

Manny
August 8th, 2014, 01:03 AM
http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/fpgeeks/0808140300.jpg

Mags
August 9th, 2014, 11:04 AM
13232 my big purchase.

13233

13234

13235

13236

13237 oh yes I stopped for a selfie.