I would like to attend the show in D.C. but never having been to one, I am not sure what is meant by "pre-show". Will the event be opened to the public on Friday, or only on Saturday and Sunday?

Here is the link to the DC Pen Show..
The dates are August 11, 12, 13.
The show is open to the public on August 12, 13.
If you are going to attend, please come look for my table and say hello, it is always nice to put a face to the names on FPN.

DC Pen Show

The pre-show is where all the fun is!

To attend the pre-show you pay $45 for a Weekend Trader Pass. The DC show allows a weekend trader to set up to sell on the pre-public days (see the application for more details). It gets you in early each day, and pays for admission for all the days. The pre-public days are quite different. There are more vintage dealers set up. There are big guys that don't set up until the public days. It's much more quiet, less crowded and there's much more time to meet the dealers.

Edit: You do not have to sell anything to be a weekend trader. I consider it the "groupie pass"

The problem now is..how to convince my better half to spring for the passes....his reasoning is...."for the two of us, that's the price of a pen, etc. "...think, think.....

When I went to the LA Pen Show I found the Pre-Show far more interesting and valuable than the "public" show. More time for contemplation, consideration, conversation, getting a FPN group together for dinner, bringing Griz some bottled water, and seeing more pens in an easier-to-deal-with environment.

Every show also has their stars and unique personalities; you have more time to meet them if you are there earlier in the show.

If you are planning any on-site repair, modification, nib-smoothing, etc., the earlier you get to the right gurus the better.

I've not been to any other show than the LA show, but I bet they are more similar than disimilar. Also, by being there early I got to attend several very interesting workshops on repair, handwriting, history, etc.

Most importantly, it is more time to have fun. So, pay the fee, go early, and by 9 pens instead of 10.

Andy

I agree wholeheartedly. At my first DC show I bought four wonderful pens on Thursday. Two in the lobby, and two in the trading room. I bought other things (paper, ink, etc.) on the other days, but I got the pens I wanted on the first day.

hi,

come on thursday--we can have dinner or a cocktail, if you prefer--altho elaine and i will order shirley temples and we can talk pens and life. you will find pens and nibmiesters, dealers and on thursday and friday you can have good conversations with them before the hordes come. the hotel has a show rate of $89.-- per room--share a room!! save for pens. see ya there!!!



:bunny1: :bunny1:

My goodness, I have to use all my.....charm to try and convince him. I do so want to come early to this event....now let's see...where did I put that pink striped bag???

Penturner and I will be there Thursday afternoon and have our table set up and ready for Friday-Sunday....
I think we should try to get as many FPNers together for dinner on Thursday or Friday evening...

I'm ready, is it time yet

Last year, Griz and I went together (Saturday only, as I recall) and had an eye opening experience. We metamorphized from Pen Makers, into collectors and restorers as well. If it's your first show be prepared to be completely overwhelmed. So much to look at, so little time.

Griz

I should be this year. I'll stop by and see you.

Alan

It is my understanding that spouses enter free with a trader pass.

Hi Playpen,

Just checked the flyer for the DC show and I quote:Spouses and Non-Collecting Assistants requested to pre-register ( they are still free ) Which means with a weekend traders pass, spouses are free. The Weekend Trader pass is $45

Maybe this will help.

Hope to be there, Parkercrazy

Does anyone know if they charge for parking at the hotel for people not staying at the hotel but still coming to the show?

No charge for parking for anyone

That's great! Thanks for the quick reply!!

I've been offline for quite a while (even my "lurking's" fallen off a lot), but am trying to catch up on all the discussion now. Can't wait for the show -- so much to choose from.

Vi

is anyone driving from NY/NJ/CT to DC show on Saturday ?

I attended the DC show and it was my first pen show ever and I loved it. 99% of the vendors, manufacturers and pen colelctors their were more than willing to talk, share and educate. My favorites was meeting the actual entrepenuers behind a few of the smaller pen lines. One day when I rule the world, I am going to have my own pen line (ha ha).

I noted people from Japan, France, Australia just to attend and deal at this show. I didn't do the pre-show pass like other members recomended and I kind of sort of regret it now.

There were no hard-sells like you would find at a car dealership.

There were plenty of smiles and negotiating on price.

Many of the tables were family-run with wives and teenagers there helping out their father. I thought it was very sweet and endearing.

On the flip side, I had one negative experience with a crockety-old dealer that acted as if it was beneath him to sell to somene like me. Granted, there were collectors there looking to drop thousands and I was only looking to spend $200+. When I asked him how much 3 different pens were he gave me the run around that he didn't know what he wanted to sell them at and it was like pulling teeth to get him to cough up a number. Except for that one a-hole, the trip was well worth the time and money.

Playpen,

So you have been to the show (I saw the photo at dinner) and gone back north. A number of questions remain.

1, Did you have a good time?
2, Did you get the repair contacts you were looking for?
3, Did you buy anything you planned to?
4, What did you buy just because you saw it and loved it?

Andy

Yeah come on Playpen, time to 'fess up

Jim

Playpen is still on vacation and does not have access to a computer until she gets back to NY to start teaching again...
I will tell you this... I spent some quality time with her, her husband and her beautiful daughter and Playpen did spend money and got some nice stuff... her daughter also got a very nice FP.
She also found her repair contact.
We all had a wonderful time...
I am sure she will chime in in a week or so..