I'm going to my first pen show.... by Zoom!

[carlos.q]

If everything goes right tomorrow I will go to my first pen show... by Zoom videoconference. I know that this will not be like "the real thing" but considering the Covid-19 pandemic and the fact that there is no pen show closer than 1,000 miles away I am very exited at this opportunity. Not only that, but this pen show will be transmitted all the way from Rome!

I want to publicly thank David (Empty_of_Clouds) who first brought this show to my attention, to Art who makes the arrangements over at Pentrace and Len Provisor who helped me with the registering process at newpentrace.net

If anyone wants to participate go over and register at newpentrace.net

For all those pen clubs that have had to cancel their meetings, I suggest you consider hosting virtual meetings instead. It may be a long time before things go back the way they were. In the meanwhile we will all have to make adjustments at living with the "new normal".

[azkid]

Cool idea. Not quite the same as the real thing but definitely far better than nothing! Thanks for the heads up to you and EoC.

[penwash]

This is in fact the 2nd time they have done this.

I am looking forward to see it tomorrow (my first).

[carlos.q]

Ok only 12 hours to go (for me).... I never thought my first pen show would be an international event.

[catbert]

Ok only 12 hours to go (for me).... I never thought my first pen show would be an international event.

Excited for you — and looking forward to hearing all about it later.

I'm still clinging to the hope that my first pen show will be live and in person, mainly for the chance (as Chrissy said) to handle pens I might not otherwise encounter. Maybe next year ...

[Chrissy]

I can see the attraction of seeing all of the vendors online, but for me personally, my most important reason for going to a pen show would be to actually handle pens that I might never have had the opportunity to handle. Looking at them in my hand, touching them, holding them and examining them. Sadly Zoom doesn't help with that. However, I'm sure it will be well attended and get some good reviews.

I hope that one day I will go to a pen show somewhere.

[carlos.q]

I hope that one day I will go to a pen show somewhere.

I hear you. I also hope that one day I will be able to go to a face-to-face pen show. I also hope I will be able to go to the movies or a restaurant without fear of getting infected with a deadly virus. These are difficult and trying times for all of us so... always keep safe and smile a lot!

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Quick feedback. The show was good, as was the previous one, and presented with some improvements. The organisers are learning as they go, and hopefully will be able to include more varied content in future shows.

Nice to see Will attending - next time, turn on your camera! I like being able to put a face to a name.

There were a number of pens that really interested me. Unfortunately, as is often the case for me (especially in these uncertain economic times) the coordination of money and availability was not favourable. Seriously giving consideration to creating a separate FP Piggybank!

carlos.q, wasn't sure if you made it to the show, not everyone uses (or knows how to put) their names on the Zoom client.


Regarding online vs real life pen shows, at this time there are no RL shows. The online versions may be the only option for quite some time. Yes, one doesn't get to handle pens. On the other hand there is no fee! There is always a positive side.

If any of those who attended have ideas for making the experience better or more immersive, please do so over at newpentrace.net


ps. It finished at 4am for me. I think it was worth pulling an all-nighter for. Just saying.

[catbert]

There were a number of pens that really interested me. Unfortunately, as is often the case for me (especially in these uncertain economic times) the coordination of money and availability was not favourable. Seriously giving consideration to creating a separate FP Piggybank!

How does the pen sale aspect of the show work?

[Empty_of_Clouds]

There were a number of pens that really interested me. Unfortunately, as is often the case for me (especially in these uncertain economic times) the coordination of money and availability was not favourable. Seriously giving consideration to creating a separate FP Piggybank!

How does the pen sale aspect of the show work?

Sorry for late reply. Pens are displayed and described by each seller - at the moment they have two trays max each. The prices are displayed too. These displays are photographs rather than live stream, and uploaded via Powerpoint (or similar) to the Zoom shared screen. If you are interested in a particular pen then you can either contact the seller directly in real time via Zoom's chat function (like the chatbox here a bit, but with the ability to have private conversations as well as public chats), or contact them via their email/WhatsApp or other contact details the sellers provide.

Bear in mind that like any show (from what I've heard) it's first come first served. If I'd had available funds this time around there is no doubt that I would have jumped all over 3 pens - a Duofold in seafoam green, a Waterman's 94 in moss agate, and another 94 in steel quartz.

Pens shown are usually a mixture of vintage and modern, with a slight lean toward the vintage.

Hope that all makes sense!

[catbert]

There were a number of pens that really interested me. Unfortunately, as is often the case for me (especially in these uncertain economic times) the coordination of money and availability was not favourable. Seriously giving consideration to creating a separate FP Piggybank!

How does the pen sale aspect of the show work?

Sorry for late reply. Pens are displayed and described by each seller - at the moment they have two trays max each. The prices are displayed too. These displays are photographs rather than live stream, and uploaded via Powerpoint (or similar) to the Zoom shared screen. If you are interested in a particular pen then you can either contact the seller directly in real time via Zoom's chat function (like the chatbox here a bit, but with the ability to have private conversations as well as public chats), or contact them via their email/WhatsApp or other contact details the sellers provide.

Bear in mind that like any show (from what I've heard) it's first come first served. If I'd had available funds this time around there is no doubt that I would have jumped all over 3 pens - a Duofold in seafoam green, a Waterman's 94 in moss agate, and another 94 in steel quartz.

Pens shown are usually a mixture of vintage and modern, with a slight lean toward the vintage.

Hope that all makes sense!

Yes, it makes the danger to my wallet very clear indeed! Thank you for the detailed write-up.

[penwash]

Nice to see Will attending - next time, turn on your camera! I like being able to put a face to a name.

Hi David, it's nice to see you as well. I have video on zoom calls during the weekdays with my client. I'd like to be anonymous for once on the weekend. LOL!

But you're right, it's nice to put face to the name.

I think the show format makes a lot of sense. The dealers are courteous, respectful of each other's time, and very cooperative. And of course, nice pens...

There is of course very limited interaction and I can sense that the dealers are expecting more questions, but the attendees are either shy or feel not as free to talk.

But these are things that can be ironed out. I can see this as a viable way to do pen meets (if not mini pen shows) even when we are back into normal life beyond this pandemic.

[carlos.q]

Ok... this is a very public ooops! According to my, evidently incorrect calculations, I thought the show was tonight!
This international time zone calculation thing seems to be way above my pay grade!!!!
Well... better luck next time!

[catbert]

Ok... this is a very public ooops! According to my, evidently incorrect calculations, I thought the show was tonight!
This international time zone calculation thing seems to be way above my pay grade!!!!
Well... better luck next time!

Oh no! Hope you get things sorted for next time.

I used to be several hours ahead of family but after a move I'm now several hours behind. Throw in seasonal clock changes and it's a recipe for confusion.

[carlos.q]

Ok... this is a very public ooops! According to my, evidently incorrect calculations, I thought the show was tonight!
This international time zone calculation thing seems to be way above my pay grade!!!!
Well... better luck next time!

Ok, the "next time" is fast coming up: the show is this Sunday. Just have to remember, for me it's 10:30AM not PM!

PS. I am still amazed that this show "takes place" in Rome! Why hasn't anybody on this side of the pond organized something similar?

[Jon Szanto]

PS. I am still amazed that this show "takes place" in Rome! Why hasn't anybody on this side of the pond organized something similar?

One of the main people is in Rome, but the impetus and collaborative work on this is all over the globe, just as the participants and sellers are. AFAIK, Art (the main fellow doing the outreach and communication through Pentrace) is based in Chicago. As long as people have access, it kinda doesn't matter *where* it is taking place, because it is taking place all over. For a couple months there has been an active virtual pen show every 2 weeks, on the weekend, coordinated through a Facebook group and has the participation of quite a number of very good dealers. Again, a fair number of European dealers are involved, reflective of the international nature of the online pen groups. People offer up trays of pens in photos and descriptions and then are available for sale through messages. Roughly the same, just not 'live'.

All in all, a good thing to happen. Maybe someone will pop up a US-centric effort, but outside of the shipping it doesn't make a big difference to me.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Part of the discussion at the show was about frequency, with some suggestion that it would be every couple of weeks. Probably best to keep an eye out on Pentrace for details.

Yes, I got the time zone thing wrong for the first show, I was an hour too early as I had forgotten to take into account seasonal clock changes! Now I just use an online time zone map to figure it out.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Thanks, Will. What you are saying about attendees being shy or not feeling free to talk is one of the subjects I will be discussing with the organisers. From my side, while I enjoyed listening to others and looking at the fabulous pens on offer, I too feel a bit overawed by the company. In the next show I am hoping that will change - I have something to discuss/present (if allowed) that may stimulate discussion from more knowledgeable attendees.

Zoom does have an option for what are called breakout rooms. They are not hard to set up, and could be used for demonstrations or workshops. However, we also have to be mindful of the length of the show. At a physical venue - based on what I've been told - attendees can spend as much as a whole day rummaging through tables of pens. If the online show goes on too long it would suffer from fatigue. At the moment it is kind of restricted to 1.5 to 2 hours, which may be about right.

Anyway, there are ways to improve and/or expand, so it's good to get feedback and suggestions from attendees.

[Johnny_S]

Does anyone have a list of the pen sellers please, it would be good to see if there is anyone I know.

Perhaps spmeone has also uploaded it to Youtube, I will check.

Thanks.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

You should ask over on newpentrace.net