D C Pen Show. Who's Going?

[watch_art]

Ezpass? Pay for express lanes? So glad I'm not driving I'd be lost in a minute.

[joe120]

I'm looking at the 2014 pen show postcard.

 

The hours Saturday and Sunday are 10:00am to 5:00pm.

 

9:00am admission with the postcard both days. I'm a weekend trader and do not need my postcard. It'll be in the lobby -conspicuously-, before 9:00 Saturday. Other people have also done this in the past.

 

Conklin ink given away by Pen World Saturday and Sunday - first 200 people each day.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Joe Nemecek

[cpark2005]

First timer here, I plan to attend on Saturday and sort of just stand around in awe this first year. ;-)

[meblamy]

First timer here, I plan to attend on Saturday and sort of just stand around in awe this first year. ;-)

Don't stand around! Get in there and mix it up.

 

Assuming things are "normal", there will be several manufacturers in the outer lobby, along with a couple of larger retailers. The small room (doors on the left) will have other brands and a couple of retailers. The last couple of years, Brian Gray of Edison has hung his sign here; stop by early, check out his pens, and enjoy! In the big room, most of your retail folks and pen repair are on the walls, usually with a couple of manufacturers as well. Richard in the far corner; stop by and chat with them! The center is a number of rows of traders/used pen dealers, etc.

 

There's a lot of business going on, but it's a fun show, and there will be many people there with only a passing knowledge of pens. Don't be afraid and don't be shy!

[Snargle]

I'm looking at the 2014 pen show postcard.

 

The hours Saturday and Sunday are 10:00am to 5:00pm.

 

9:00am admission with the postcard both days. I'm a weekend trader and do not need my postcard. It'll be in the lobby -conspicuously-, before 9:00 Saturday. Other people have also done this in the past.

 

Conklin ink given away by Pen World Saturday and Sunday - first 200 people each day.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Joe Nemecek

Thanks, Joe...I'll probably be there by 9:00 and see if I can wangle my way in...if not, I suspect I'll have lots of company to hang out with.

[Jenks]

Do you think they will actually put up the schedule for 2014 or is 2012 the last one they intend to post? Also, how does one acquire the magic post card?

Thanks!

[Wolverine1]

Jenks- you have had to have attended in 2013 and signed up to get the 2014 Show post card.

[ginigin]

Is anyone driving up from the south via I-81? I'm close to Blacksburg and Roanoke and could meet somewhere near either. I would be glad to pay gas, could use my car. I just can't drive alone. Would prefer to go Friday and Saturday, but would consider other time options. Just need some nibs ground and would love to meet up with some penpals there.

[Ladynib302]

And mine came the day before yesterday as well.

Our postcard did arrive; all looks normal and compelling; card states---- "Nagahara will be present Saturday"----- nice opportunity for learning more about nibs; this is a really fun show and is the Show that originally pulled us into Pendom to stay; we now look so forward to seeing friends and making new contacts; if you have one, wear your FPN buttons and PCA pins-----makes it nice to meet folks; we also have our FPN posting names on our badges------it's really fun to find someone in the crowd whose posts we have followed; know their screen names, but not always real names. Helps start great conversations. Have fun everybody.

[Tasmith]

if you have one, wear your FPN buttons and PCA pins-----makes it nice to meet folks; we also have our FPN posting names on our badges------it's really fun to find someone in the crowd whose posts we have followed; know their screen names, but not always real names. Helps start great conversations. Have fun everybody.

Where does one get an FPN button?

[watch_art]

Uhmmm... make your own? I haven't heard of these. Maybe-

http://www.cafepress.com/fountainpennetwork

[ziptrickhead]

On the DC pen show website it says there is free parking at the Sheraton. Does that only apply to people staying at the hotel or can anyone attending the show park? Trying to figure out if I have to find some kind of parking arrangement elsewhere if convention parking is excessively expensive.

[Barry Gabay]

Huge parking lots in front and beneath the hotel. Likely no one notices whether the cars are those of guests or visitors.

 

Can't wait for the show. Arriving late Thursday morning & staying until the end Sunday evening. Bringing lots of current Italian, Japanese, & German pens, plus US pens from 1920s & 30s. Looking forward to seeing old friends & meeting new ones. Yipee!

[flexnib]

Any meet ups later in the evening? Drinks? Etc. To get to know each other.

[Ladynib302]

Where does one get an FPN button?

Zazzle.com created an FPN Button many of us purchased; Inexpensive and nice; came in two sizes; we got both ( i.e. a big and a little; usually wear the big one at Show so people might notice it and say hello).

 

It is possible, if you contact this site, that they have retained the design and can still make one for you and for other pen friends. It's a nice site and they follow-through readily with good communication.

[Ladynib302]

Any meet ups later in the evening? Drinks? Etc. To get to know each other.

Consider posting a notice on the bulletin board (ask where at registration table) and on registration desk with a time and place if you want to try; sometimes hard to do because many are commuters who come for the day and don't stay well into the evening if you are thinking to do evening; others are loath to leave the ballrooms or have tables they need to monitor continuously during the day; however, others will try and groups do happen. a few times there has been success in lobby areas midday; many other people will hit the lounges in the evening and promote good conversation; also, visit the ink tables to initiate some delightful conversations. a few folks don't chat much at the ink tables because they are engrossed in making ink journals and super focused; timing is everything.

[flexnib]

Consider posting a notice on the bulletin board (ask where at registration table) and on registration desk with a time and place if you want to try; sometimes hard to do because many are commuters who come for the day and don't stay well into the evening if you are thinking to do evening; others are loath to leave the ballrooms or have tables they need to monitor continuously during the day; however, others will try and groups do happen. a few times there has been success in lobby areas midday; many other people will hit the lounges in the evening and promote good conversation; also, visit the ink tables to initiate some delightful conversations. a few folks don't chat much at the ink tables because they are engrossed in making ink journals and super focused; timing is everything.

Thanks. I will keep my eyes open as I will be there from about Friday at 3 til Sunday in the AM. Will look where you have mentioned. Thanks. Arthur

[flexnib]

Also wondering if the sellers buy pens at the show. I have come into a bunch of Japanese vintage FP's that would like to get rid of.

[StephY]

For those who are planning to take the free shuttle from Dulles: they just announced a change in the pick up area - instead of 2H, they will be picking up at Departures United Zone 4.

 

I saw this on the DC pen show's FB page, but they haven't updated it on their website yet.

[StephY]

Also wondering if the sellers buy pens at the show. I have come into a bunch of Japanese vintage FP's that would like to get rid of.

 

Some definitely do. Japanese vintage FP's make me think of Joe Engel (not that he specializes in it but I know I've seen them at his table), but I'm not sure if he will be there.