Hi everyone,

The Toronto International Pen Show is being held at Casa Loma in Toronto July 21 and 22nd.

Table pricing for dealers as follows $200 CAD for a six foot table $250 for an eight foot table, there will only be pricing for two days and this will include the around the clock security for the duration of the show. The space we have at Casa Loma is nicer than the international Centre with natural light, has a Deli on site (which will be open) and local history tied to the castle. Plus much closer to the action in Toronto, public transit,etc.

There will be updates and an online form for the dealers the TO Pen Show website at the end of the week. We encourage the dealers to sign up through the website, it will make life easier for all involved. I will put another post on to let you all know when the site is ready for registration.

There will also be hotel package we are working on as well, details Tba.

This is going to be a really cool show this year.


Toronto International Pen Show
Casa Loma

Thanks Bill. Can't wait for the show. Will call you sometime this week.

Cheers,
SG

Wow, Casa Loma. Nice deal. See you there.

Rick

You'll need to update the Show site - which seems to reference last year's dates...

Gerry

The site will be updated by the end of the week.

Bill

Casa Loma, eh? Well, that was worth the wait!

Good luck with the show, Bill; what a great location! Too bad I'm on the "wrong coast"....

There is always West Jet.....

You're on your own there Maja. Although you could make a vacation out it. If your hubby is a golf fan, the Canadian Open starts up the following week.

For our American and European board members who wondering what the hell is Casa Loma, I will give the briefest history and a link to the venue.

Casa Loma was built early last century by a local business tycoon and Colonal in the Queens Own Rifles, a local military regiment which in a small family connection my granddad served in duriing WWI.

The show is going to be in the Carriage House and stables part of the complex. I cannot speak enough about the natural light.

The venue website:

Casa Loma

(oops! just read the part about the website being updated this week...
I was worried someone might read the 2006 info and get confused... Carry on!)

I am hoping the website got updated, I should check.

Bill

PS Ok it has not been updated, I am going to follow up with our webmaster next week.

A quick update:

The website has been updated with the Casa Loma information and a map/directions on how to get there.


Bill Toronto International Pen Show

Hello Bill! Again congrads on the show and the location. If you could email me I have a few other questions regarding the show such as can two dealers split a table? (personally I don't think I'd have enough stuff for a full table).

I cant wait for the pen show.
The problem is I dont have enough money to buy too many pens .

Hi sorry for the radio silence. We are trying to get a prefered rate for the Toronto International Pen Show attendees and dealers coming in from out of town. It is still a work in progress.

Until that happens, after some research the Holiday Inn Midtown at 280 Bloor St W. has a rate of $220 per night.

On Hotels.ca I noticed a really good rate for the Fairmont Royal York (Toronto's grand old Hotel) at roughly $150 per night and is steps away from public transit.

I would suggest going through Hotels.ca would be your best bet price wise. Casa Loma is ten to fifteen minute walk from the Dupont Subway Station.

Ok, next subject. Dealer tables are availble for booking at $200 CAD for a 6' table and $250 per 8' table for the whole weekend. Please contact Shari Bridge at bridgepromo@rogers.com to book and for further information please visit our site.

Toronto International Pen Show


Hotels.ca

Hey Bill, I sent an email to Shari about a table and have not heard anything.

Let me know if you got my other email b/c.

Cheers,
SG

Sean,

Shari is temporarliy out of action due a personal health issue, I sent you the details backchannel. She will be home by the end of the week.

Bill

Hi everyone,

We have forms online on our website if you are interested in being a dealer at the Toronto International Pen Show in PDF form. Please click on Exhibitor information for further details on pricing, logistics, etc.

We worked out an arrangement with Holiday Inn Midtown at 280 Bloor St West at $149 CAD per night per person (single or double) if you check in Friday July 20 and leave Monday morning the 23rd. Since this is Summer I would book NOW. Again details are on the the Toronto International Pen Show site under exhibitor info on the bottom.

Bill

Toronto International Pen Show


Toronto International Pen Show Email.

PS the hotel deal is also open to show attendees as well, for further hotel information check out Hotels.ca

Bill

Check out the news section of the June/July Stylus magazine. The Toronto International Pen Show got a nice little write up and I got quoted. Tables are still available but are moving fast. Please check out Toronto International Pen Show for details and forms for exhibitors.

Cheers

Bill

Hi,

I'll definitely be at the show, but I noticed that neither Mr. Binder or Ron Z have this show up on their Schedules. Any chance on coaxing them up, I've got a Conklin and Parker that I would love to have work done on.

Thanks

If the repairs do not involve nib grinding, I will be doing repairs at the show. I specialize in Parker Vacumatic repair, but can also perform repairs on most other types of pens.

Cheers,
SG

My sonnet needs to have the cap sealed, and it keeps ink on the spot between the section and the nib. I'll look for you at the show for sure.

Do you know of any "nib meisters" up here?

thanks,

ss

To clarify a few things for our American friends, you do not need a passport to cross into Canada at land crossings this year. The passport requirement has been pushed back to 2009 if my information is correct.

Richard Binder decided not to attend this year's show, his presence will be missed as his services are in high demand.

Sean Gosse will be our Pen repair guru, and he will be popular with Vacumatic repair and sac replacement. I know I have a Conway stewart 58 that needs some TLC.

It is going to be a great show this year with some new exhibitors and old favourites plus an interesting new venue with a lot of history.

Bill


Toronto International Pen Show

Just an Update,

We have two repair people at this years show Sean from KW who will be the in house Vac and sac specialist and we are privilaged to have Aaron of Pentiques attending the show for the first time who specialises full restorations of vintage pens.


Bill

Another Toronto Pen Show Update.

If you coming to the Toronto International Pen Show for July 21 and 22, there is a lot going on in the city. If your taste is into Jazz, the Beaches International Jazz Festival starts on the 20th.

Bill

Beaches International Jazz FestivalToronto International Pen Show

Another Toronto Pen Show Update.

If you coming to the Toronto International Pen Show for July 21 and 22, there is a lot going on in the city. If your taste is into Jazz, the Beaches International Jazz Festival starts on the 20th.

Bill

Beaches International Jazz FestivalToronto International Pen Show

Hi Bill,

When will you be able to post a list of exhibitors? I need as much ammunition I can to justify a trip to T.O.

Those who confirmed so far include:

Pentiques, Sean Gosse, Sanford Canada (Parker/Waterman), LSF Trading(Aurora, Faber Castel, Delta, Stipula, Visconti, Porsche Design and Lamy), Conklin Pens, Sleuth and Statesman, Laywines, Boutique de Stylo, Note Bene Papiertie, Lih Tah Wong of Parker75.com (Saturday only), and a host of indpendant dealers who sell mostly vintage and some new pens. Now this list is in flux, more will come.

For those whose spouse/partner other is not into pens, your admission to Casa Loma gets you free run of the castle and the award winning gardens.

Starting the same weekend is the Beaches International Jazz Festival and the FIFA Under 20 World Cup of Soccer will be in full swing. If you decide to hang around Toronto another week, up in Markham is the Canadian Open and of course Caribanna.

Very Important Update:

We can't have a Pen Show with out the annual dinner/drinks get together Saturday evening. We are holding it again this year at the Bedford Academy after the show closes for the day Saturday. We plan to meet up around 6:30-7 pm onwards. This event is open to the exhibitors/dealers and the members of the Fountain Pen Network Nation who happen to be in Toronto that day.

Can I have a virtual RSVP reply to this thread on who might attend so I can reserve the appropriate space on the patio (or indoors if its raining).


The Bedford Academy


Toronto Internatioanl Pen Show

I'll be there for a few beers, gotta drive home that night though

Cheers
SG

Hi Bill -

I'll be there for a bit, as will my wife.

Thanks!

Don

Woohoo!! My first pen show! Haven't been to Casa Loma since the Lord of the Rings exhibit! Should be prrreeeettty nice!

I have some news, working on the floor plan, we realized we have room for four more tables. So if you are interested as a dealer in attending this years Toronto International Pen Show, there is still time.

Table rates are as follows one day: 6' table $100, 8' Table $125, for the weekend 6' table 200 and 8' table $250. There is security for the duration of the pen show so if you take a table for the weekend you don't have to pack-up/tear down at the end of Saturday.

Please contact me at Toronto International Pen Show

Forms can be downloaded in PDF form off :

Toronto International Pen Show

One day left and I am off to set up tables at Casa Loma for the Toronto International Pen Show, the show starts at 9 am tomorrow and set up starts at 7 am for dealers.

This year's line up includes Sanford Canada (Waterman, Parker), LSF Trading (Aurora, Faber Castel, Lamy, Omas and Visconti), Conklin, Pentiques, B. Sleuth and Statesman, Laywines, Boutique De Stylo, Note Bene, Sean Gosse, Lih Tah Wong of Parker 75 (Saturday only) and several indpendent dealers.

This year we have incorporated seminars, Aaron of Pentiques has offered to give a talk and demonstration on the art of pen restoration 11 am Saturday and Sunday and Ellie George will be giving a talk on Handwriting analysis Saturday afternoon at 2 pm.

Looking forward to seeing you here.

BillToronto International Pen Show

My wife and I will be making the journey to Casa Loma to attend.

Ok, how to get in the pen show.

First thing, go to the main entrance pay the $15 admisson for Casa Loma (there is no seperate cover for the pen show). Turn right and right again and go into the basement then go to the tunnel to the Carriage House. Resurface and you will arrive at the Toronto Internatioal Pen Show.

After setting up the tables for the show we checked out the gardens. It's a wonder on its own. Casa Loma has a really nice terrace where you can relax.

I am going to bed now.

Thanks so much to the exhibitors and attendees who enjoyed this year's show! We were graced with a majestic venue, sunny skies and much conversation.
We even managed to raise a few funds through donations for the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma!
Thanks All!
Shari Bridge
Co-chair

Hello,
I am looking for a Pen show in Toronto. When is the nest show ?
Thanks
David