D C Pen Show. Who's Going?

[meblamy]

Do any of you feel strongly whether or not it's worth the extra money to go on Friday? I can pay $28 for two people for Saturday and Sunday, or $90 for the two of us to attend on Friday, too. Is that right?

And, if I do decide I want to go on Friday, is it pointless to turn up after, say, 1 PM? I'm driving about 4 hours to get there (if there's no traffic).

I've always gone on Saturday. My take, which may be wrong, is that Thursday and Friday are the heavy trader day; you'd already know if it makes sense to be there...

 

Which direction are you coming from? "If there's no traffic" on I95 on a Friday in the summer is dreaming I'm afraid...

[flexnib]

Do any of you feel strongly whether or not it's worth the extra money to go on Friday? I can pay $28 for two people for Saturday and Sunday, or $90 for the two of us to attend on Friday, too. Is that right?

And, if I do decide I want to go on Friday, is it pointless to turn up after, say, 1 PM? I'm driving about 4 hours to get there (if there's no traffic).

Asked the same question in another thread and was told by one of the vendors that not all the vendors are there and set up on Friday so go on Saturday.

[ziptrickhead]

What are chances of actually getting seen by Mike Masuyama or Richard Binder on Saturday without getting on the waiting lists super early with weekend early access? If I end up going I'm trying to see if it's worth waking up at 4am on cannonballing from NY to DC to make it to the show when doors first open to the general public?

[meblamy]

What are chances of actually getting seen by Mike Masuyama or Richard Binder on Saturday without getting on the waiting lists super early with weekend early access? If I end up going I'm trying to see if it's worth waking up at 4am on cannonballing from NY to DC to make it to the show when doors first open to the general public?

Don't know about Mike, but Richard always seems fully booked pretty early...

[meblamy]

Oh, and for the record, I plan to be there Saturday morning.

[inkstainedruth]

Don't know about Mike, but Richard always seems fully booked pretty early...

Mike was booked pretty early on Saturday last year. I kept wandering over to see how far along on the list I was (I was in the mid-twenties, IIRC, and finally got an available slot sometime around 4:30 or 5).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Snargle]

I've examined every nook and cranny of that dreadful web site and I'm still not able to figure out what time the doors open to the public on Saturday, August 9. I'll be driving in from Harrisburg, PA and I'd like to be there as early as possible, but I don't want to leave at 6:00 in the morning only to find out that I have to kill two hours waiting to get inside.

 

Can anyone help with this schedule information? I'd love to see something in writing if possible. Thanks!

[ArbInv]

I've examined every nook and cranny of that dreadful web site and I'm still not able to figure out what time the doors open to the public on Saturday, August 9. I'll be driving in from Harrisburg, PA and I'd like to be there as early as possible, but I don't want to leave at 6:00 in the morning only to find out that I have to kill two hours waiting to get inside.

 

Can anyone help with this schedule information? I'd love to see something in writing if possible. Thanks!

 

100% agree. The website is out of date and appalling. If I were an exhibitor at the event I would be peeved..

[tjt7a]

Who would be the right person to go to to have my nib ground? Should I bring cash/check?

 

Tom

[StephY]

If past experience is anything to judge by, the official opening time is 10AM. If you have the postcard (sent to folks who've attended before) you can get early admission at 9AM. I would suggest getting there by 9AM and purchase your ticket (or line up to do so), and then either hang out with folks in the lobby or go grab some coffee. You might get "early entry" by default. To be honest, as more and more exhibitors end up outside of the ballrooms the boundaries are a bit loose anyway.

Edited July 31, 2014 by StephY

[Snargle]

If past experience is anything to judge by, the official opening time is 10AM. If you have the postcard (sent to folks who've attended before) you can get early admission at 9AM. I would suggest getting there by 9AM and purchase your ticket (or line up to do so), and then either hang out with folks in the lobby. You might get "early entry" by default. To be honest, as more and more exhibitors end up outside of the ballrooms the boundaries are a bit loose anyway.

Interesting about the post card...I attended last year, but as of today, I haven't received a card.

[Anachronos]

My first time at the DC Pen show! Can't wait Hopefully I can pick up my first Nakaya. I was going to buy one sight unseen, not had the opportunity to actually touch one, but now the Nakaya virus is getting very bad. Hope to take care of it at the show.

A 21/2 hour drive one way, hope it is as good as I have heard.

[Easily Amused]

I'll be there, looking for S.T. Dupont Montparnasses (XL size), and maybe some more WE Dorics. This will be my 7th DC show!

[Ladynib302]

We didn't get postcard this year (did in previous years); also, don't know how they are handling distributing ink sample bottle in exchange for postcard this year?

 

If you are interested, Pen World will again offer a 2 year show special rate subscription at the show (normally, it is 1 year and 3 year; good price & you an renew each time at the show. Don't forget to check for discount restaurant coupons at the show desk.

 

Enjoy!

[Bill]

We didn't get postcard this year...

 

I received mine a couple of days ago.

[dead_brackets]

I've always gone on Saturday. My take, which may be wrong, is that Thursday and Friday are the heavy trader day; you'd already know if it makes sense to be there...

 

Which direction are you coming from? "If there's no traffic" on I95 on a Friday in the summer is dreaming I'm afraid...

 

I'm coming from Virginia Beach, so I'm hopeful that the traffic will be headed toward the beach and away from DC, but I've driven to and from DC enough to know that there is no good time to be on I-95. Ever.

[birdplan]

I received mine a couple of days ago.

And mine came the day before yesterday as well.

[Bill]

...there is no good time to be on I-95. Ever.

Roger that! Last Saturday afternoon I-95 on your side of DC was reportedly backed up at least 30 miles...more typical of a weekday.

 

And I think the Beltway is a pain ;-)

[SmoovD]

Last minute business trip to DC on Monday. If the gods are willing I will be able to take the new Silver line out to the show!

[meblamy]

 

I'm coming from Virginia Beach, so I'm hopeful that the traffic will be headed toward the beach and away from DC, but I've driven to and from DC enough to know that there is no good time to be on I-95. Ever.

 

You're "probably" OK. Have a GPS, and worst case is you bale on 17 around Fredericksburg and come back on 66 into Tyson's. I'm assuming you have an EZ-Pass and are willing to pay for the Express Lanes?? Please say yes...