Chicago Pen Show 2020 - September 10-13

[Roger W.]

It is our goal to put on the highest quality show that we can. As the government decides to slowly reopen the economy it is highly unlikely that we can put on the quality of show that we would want as early as the second week of June. I’ll take the blame for being too optimistic that the Covid situation could be handled more quickly than it is. In an effort to have a show this year as close to the standards under which we run the Chicago Pen Show the new dates are September 10-13. We will address safety concerns and meet whatever government standards are set for having events of our size. Until then, be safe and we will see you in September.

 

Roger E. Wooten

Chicago Pen Show

 

[gweimer1]

Thanks. We'll plan accordingly. I should have LOTS of pens ready by then...or at least I'd better!

[lacquerpen1]

Sounds like a real plan!

[inkstainedruth]

Thanks for the heads up.

People keep trying to talk me into going to the Chicago Show, only then I remember how long a drive it is from Pittsburgh....

Hopefully that doesn't conflict with the Commonwealth Show, which is normally around the same time of year (yeah, that one is also a hike, but gives us a chance to go visit my M-i-L...).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

Edited for typos

Edited April 29, 2020 by inkstainedruth

[gweimer1]

I think I just saw that Chicago and Commonwealth will be on the same week-end.

[markofp]

A direct conflict with the Commonwealth Pen Show. Inexcusable.

[inkstainedruth]

Sigh. Bummer. Sadly I do not have the tech skills to clone myself, and therefore be two places at the same time. And for all I know, this far out, there may be something that weekend involving my OTHER hobby as well....

Won't be the first time -- the event where I got my first official award was up against six other events the same day.... And a few years ago there was a day-long series of classes in IIRC Morgantown, WV that was up against a similar type of event in someplace in upstate NY -- or, as a friend of mine said "Isn't it GREAT? There's enough interest in arts stuff to have two things going on the same day?" and I was going "No.... Because I can't go to both of them...."

Such is the fate of trying to reschedule a major undertaking during an international health crisis, and trying to book hotels with convention facilities....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[JotterAddict62]

Oh well I will have to put in for a new vacation day and change hotel reservations again. It is only a short drive for me.

[Parker51]

It appears that it there is a Northwestern home game against Tulane that weekend, assuming that Football happens this fall as scheduled. I just mentioned this for those of you who are fans of either of those schools. Evanston in the fall for a Football game is fun in an old fashioned kind of way, not like College Football in some of those other places and certainly different from Pro Ball. Once in a while it is nice to go somewhere like Evanston and feel like it was (for some of us). I admit I am someone who does occasionally wax nostalgically, despite knowing better, but I loved back in those days, have good memories and while I admit things are better for some people now than they were, very much better, it alas is not the case everywhere (I grew up in North East Ohio and progress and change has been a very mixed bag there).

[eharriett]

Uhhh, Commonwealth Show is same day. I planned to go to that one (although I'm not sure what health situation will be at that time with pandemic and all). I also was planning on going to Chicago. Buuuuuttttt, I'm not sure how I feel about Chicago, a much bigger show, coming in on the same time as Commonwealth, a much smaller one. I don't know etiquette for pen shows. Is this an acceptable thing to do? In light of pandemic, I get everyone is trying to find new dates, but Chicago can really decimate Commonwealth. Did they come to some kind of agreement? I mean, is this okay?

[markofp]

According to a well placed and justifiably angry source, the Commonwealth Show owner was not given the courtesy of a phone call or heads-up on this, though their show date was published quite some time ago.

 

I have been to both, and I have spent money at both. This year, I will go to Boston in support.

Edited May 1, 2020 by markofp

[Parker51]

Uhhh, Commonwealth Show is same day. I planned to go to that one (although I'm not sure what health situation will be at that time with pandemic and all). I also was planning on going to Chicago. Buuuuuttttt, I'm not sure how I feel about Chicago, a much bigger show, coming in on the same time as Commonwealth, a much smaller one. I don't know etiquette for pen shows. Is this an acceptable thing to do? In light of pandemic, I get everyone is trying to find new dates, but Chicago can really decimate Commonwealth. Did they come to some kind of agreement? I mean, is this okay?

All except two pen shows are run by different groups. The two that are not run by different groups are run by Terry Maworter, his family and friends.

 

There really is no formal coordination of schedules, so anyone can schedule any show whenever they think they can have a successful show.

 

Unless there is an inoculation, an effective treatment, testing which indicates that reinfection is not possible and I have had it and am not contagious (highly unlikely, but possible) or the disapearence of all infections somehow, I know that I will not be attending any pen shows. No hobby is just worth risking me or my families health and life and I expect that is the case of most other pen show potential attendees.

 

I feel bad for everyone who comes together and makes a show a success, but I can't think of any way to make everyone safe except not opening it to the public and requiring the provision of testing results of all registered attendees and a pledge by all of them that they will self isolate between the time they test as not being infectious and when they attend or everone wearing and using full protective gear, both unlikely scenarios,,especially the second as there is a shortage of protective gear and even when it comes available, it will be expensive, plus, it would be off putting to attend a pen show wearing a full protective suit with face mask, full skin coverage, including gloves.

[mr_mbp]

I'm cautiously optimistic about this show occurring.

[cgreenberg19]

Good to hear that the show isn't cancelled. Hopefully the show will go on.

[Gloucesterman]

All except two pen shows are run by different groups. The two that are not run by different groups are run by Terry Maworter, his family and friends.

 

There really is no formal coordination of schedules, so anyone can schedule any show whenever they think they can have a successful show.

 

Unless there is an inoculation, an effective treatment, testing which indicates that reinfection is not possible and I have had it and am not contagious (highly unlikely, but possible) or the disapearence of all infections somehow, I know that I will not be attending any pen shows. No hobby is just worth risking me or my families health and life and I expect that is the case of most other pen show potential attendees.

 

I feel bad for everyone who comes together and makes a show a success, but I can't think of any way to make everyone safe except not opening it to the public and requiring the provision of testing results of all registered attendees and a pledge by all of them that they will self isolate between the time they test as not being infectious and when they attend or everone wearing and using full protective gear, both unlikely scenarios,,especially the second as there is a shortage of protective gear and even when it comes available, it will be expensive, plus, it would be off putting to attend a pen show wearing a full protective suit with face mask, full skin coverage, including gloves.

At the moment I am "scheduled" to have a table at the Commonwealth Pen Show. Although no information has been forthcoming regarding the actual occurrence of the show my current intention is to be there (with masks, sanitizer and gloves) if it is held. I do intend to support the Show management as much as I am able.

 

Given the typical circumstances encountered at pen shows it would be surprising if the activities were in the "usual/normal" range. Somehow I have difficulty imagining what changes could be made to accommodate what happens at these shows and still maintain the general positive excitement that the show has had in the past.

 

Even with the quarantine restrictions lifted/altered I would expect some form of "social distancing" will be in place. Pens may or may not be as readily available for handling and testing and large numbers of people in a relatively smaller space will not be conducive to a healthy/minimal contact environment.

 

Also, please note, although I am NOT privy to the contractual arrangements of the show (beyond my probable table payment) I would expect the the Show "owner/s" may have limited flexibility to simply cancel or reschedule it without some financial (significant) penalties being imposed. Yes, if necessary the facility may be will to offer some assistance but they may have their own limitations to deal with too.

 

Please bear in mind that these are challenging circumstance for EVERYONE and we ALL have to help out. Even though the CPS is still four months in the future we have limited control over what happens policy-wise in the nation and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

Finally, from my personal perspective, I think that many of the things and activities which we have enjoyed and come to take for granted in our lives and lifestyles will change temporarily, if not permanently in the months and years ahead.

 

Wishing all safety and good health as we address the challenges ahead.