I attended the show this afternoon from 2 to 5:30 pm, talked to attendees and vendors, and took a bunch of pictures. Don Winn was there too, and we will both be filing reports on Penpedia. However, here are first impressions.
The show was BUSY. Not packed yet, but most of the vendors had at least two or three customers at a time talking to them, and sales were already brisk. I'm glad I went today, because tomorrow, judging by last year, it's going to be crazy crowded. I spoke to several new vendors who were there for the first time. Found one new (and very very good, judging by the samples I tried) nibmeister; I say "new" meaning he was new to me -- he has been grinding nibs for 30 years. I tried a Pelikan that he had reground as an italic, and ... (I'll tell more in the writeup).
Practically every attendee I spoke to is an FPN member or has visited here, they just don't post.
I finally bought the Parker 75 sterling grid pattern I have been wanting for years. Got bottles of the Noodler's Dallas Pen Show ink, and the Noodler's Limited Edition San Jacinto ink. Pictures and reviews to come.
For the rest, you'll have to watch for Don's and my writeup on Penpedia, probably next week (I think Don and I are both going to try to go again tomorrow -- there are over 70 dealers, vendors, and reps at the show, hard to talk to all of them in one afternoon).
(Added) I bid on the beeeyoooootiful pen Kevin (winedoc) donated to the Silent Auction. It is an abalone-inlaid work of art (and I'm not going to describe it further for fear of getting the description wrong -- maybe Kevin can fill in the details). I bid what is for me an unconscionable amount, but I'll bet I get outbid. Doesn't matter, the proceeds go to the Club. But I hope I win it. If I do, you'll be the first to know.