Which Show To Attend On The East Coast?

[KittyAnnArt]

Hello!

 

I live in North Carolina, looking to attend a FP show on the east coast either later this year or early next year. Please let me know which one you'd attend *if* you could only attend one! I know of the one in DC and the one in Atlanta... any others that might be your 'dream' show here on the east coast?

 

Best,

KittyAnn

Wilmington, NC

[whichwatch]

Personally I really like the show in Baltimore, which continues to grow and get better each year. There are also smaller shows in Raleigh, NC, Boston, Long Island, and Philadelphia as well as one in Columbus, OH which is not that far away.

[KittyAnnArt]

Great to hear the Baltimore show is good, I do love to visit the inner harbor area and it's not that far of a drive for me. I did visit the Raleigh show since it's in my back yard practically, and I've been to Atlanta once. Thanks for the suggestions!

[inkstainedruth]

I love the Columbus show. It's not as big as DCSS (which was my first show) but is still big enough to have a good selection, particularly if you're interested in vintage pens (it's also the closest show to where I live -- the first year I actually day tripped it from Pittsburgh, since I had a prior commitment for the rest of the weekend, but I stumbled into my house at 12:30 AM as a complete wreck... ).

I've been to the Baltimore show, but couldn't work the timing this year (last year was NOT the year to go, due to the horrible weather). I heard that this year was at a different hotel from last year, a little away from the Inner Harbor.

I've been to the Triangle Show a couple of times, but it's a long drive from Pittsburgh (the second year I went my husband came along -- which helped with driving, but he only really tolerated Friday then Saturday evening (he's not really a fountain pen guy, though I keep trying to coax him over to the dark side...).

I've been to the show outside Boston a couple of times (my mother-in-law lives in the Boston Metrowest area, so the show can be used as an excuse to visit her that weekend ). It is very small compared to the other shows I've been to (DCSS, the three years I was able to get to it before they changed locations, is GINORMOUS and was pretty overwhelming the first time I went -- it having been my first pen show); Boston is only 1 day but I've enjoyed it the two times I've been *because* it's small -- you get more time to talk to people at the various tables at something that small, which is always a plus.

I don't have experience with other shows, so I can't comment on those (although people tell me the Chicago show is getting better every year, it's just too far a drive for me, farther than Raleigh).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

edited for formatting issues

Edited June 19, 2019 by inkstainedruth

[rutherfordr]

Personally I really like the show in Baltimore, which continues to grow and get better each year.

 

Me too! It's very well organized, and easy to get around to all the vendors.

 

The show is by the BWI airport, so it's not walking distance to Baltimore's inner harbor -- you'll have to drive.

[Lloyd]

While I've only attended the Boston show, the one on Long Island (at Hofstra) sounds quite large.

[Ron Z]

We've combined our east coast shows into one - Baltimore. I returned to the Mariott near the airport this year, which was a great hotel, and very reasonable. The other show we do on the east cost is Raleigh aka the Triangle Pen Show. This was the second year at the Hilton Garden Inn, near the Crabtree Valley Mall. Nice hotel, and the ballroom spacious. We've done well at this show.

 

Terry Mawhorter organizes both the Raleigh and Columbus show. They're different in nature, with more of a vintage focus at Columbus, and more vendors.

[Intensity]

Boston show is the only one I’ve attended so far, and I do wonder why it’s a small one.

[avlisyar]

You could consider the Miami show. Bert Oster has done a great job with this show.

The Philly show is nice but January weather is always a concern. The Long Island

show has gotten better and better over the years. My favorite, the Baltimore show

also run by Bert Oster has become a must see show.

[FarmBoy]

I very much want to say the best East coast show going is in San Francisco but it is sort of an inside joke that I doubt anyone would understand.

 

Do attend any show you can. Find a pen club to join and have a good time. You can also join the PCA (Pen Collectors of America) and enjoy the Pennant.

[Ray-Vigo]

I've been to both the D.C. and Baltimore shows. You could go to either one, and it would work out well. D.C. is still a large show and Baltimore has been getting bigger gradually. My impression is the D.C. show has gone into a decline, while Baltimore has been getting better. The D.C. venue isn't as good as in former times, and it has had some organizational problems, but it's still a well-attended show with lots to see and to choose from. I'd try either D.C. or Baltimore - I think you'll be happy with either.