What Is The Biggest Pen Show?

[claudewick]

Hi,

 

I was speculating if there is a pen show that is considered the biggest one, the reference, the Disneworld of the pen collectors.

 

I'll start planning my 2016 vacations and maybe I could combine it with a visit on a pen show.

 

In your opinion which pen show is best around the world?

 

Regards

Claude

[Roger W.]

Right now it is probably the DC show.

 

Roger W.

[inkstainedruth]

Right now it is probably the DC show.

 

Roger W.

That would be my guess, too. DCSS seems to be where a lot of the pen manufacturers and ink companies bring out their new offerings, or special limited edition models.

I haven't been to too many shows (DC and Ohio the last couple of years each), but I was a bit worried about going to DC as my "first" one -- because it IS so big. I was afraid that I'd be completely overwhelmed (and I was, a bit), and also afraid that anything else would be a letdown by comparison, but I went to Ohio for the first time a couple of months after my first DC show and I was fine. Although I spent so much time schmoozing with people at tables out tin the corridor that I didn't get into the ballrooms until after 3 pm. Bad, when I was only there for Friday, when it only runs 1-5 PM.... (Learned my lesson though -- last year I went out Thursday and got a hotel room for 2 nights, about 20 minutes away from Dublin, and did Friday afternoon and Saturday morning....)

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[claudewick]

In what month does it happen?

[Frank C]

Here is a list of all the major US Pen Shows, updated on a regular basis:

 

http://home.netcom.com/%7Eswirth/2000.htm

 

It looks like August 13 to 16. The show is actually held in Tyson's Corner, VA. Dulles Airport is the closest International Airport.

 

I like the LA Pen show. It is held in February, no date has been set for next year as far as I know. It is held in Manhattan Beach, CA, which is adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport.

[travberg]

At the risk of insulting folks, I have been attending shows in the U.S. for 25 years. Biggest, best, most active, best seller, best buyer shows all have different answers! Now for reference, I sell below wholesale to dealers, but go to see my friends and laugh and be silly. So hear is my answer:

 

 

Chicago: just got home, huge smile on my face. So happy I went.

DC/LA MOST PUBLIC SHOWS IN THE WORLD,

Biggest mistake: missing Atlanta this year!

SF, BEST PARTY, AND THERE WAS A PEN SHOW TOO!

LA. WOW, biggest lines.

Dallas, Denver, show I will attend. Great folks, I will make those.

MI, my favorite people in the world.

Columbus, Raleigh, Terry and Ben! Wish they were my relatives, but it would be a bad trade, for them!

Bert, and all off his shows. We all owe him a THANK YOU!

Atlanta, not fair because a Southern Gentleman and his lovely wife and friends make this not about pens.

When I am with Rick Horne and Lizzy, I want to move into their house! HOME!!!

So, there is so many amazing people in the pen community, the answer to your question is more about who you are than the show.