(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.)

2020 and the first half of 2021 really did a doozy on the pen show circuit here in the states and internationally as well. Many shows were cancelled and a few were even held virtually. With the recent Triangle Pen Show in Raleigh, the upcoming DC Pen Show (and many others later this fall, including my home show, SF), it seemed like a good time to share a few tips about pen show etiquette and preparation so you can make the most out of your pen show experience.

This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list, but some of my favorite tips and thoughts on how to navigate this “new normal”. There are many wonderful articles and videos with lots of tips on pen shows including this pen show article from Fountain Pen Love and this How To: Pen Shows video from Inkdependence Mike so definitely check those out too.

Before the show

Do some homework - Which vendors are coming? Should you buy a day pass or weekend/traders pass? Can you buy it ahead of time or only at the door? Interesting classes or seminars? Do you have to register/pay for those classes in advance? Does the hotel charge for parking? What’s the food situation like at the hotel?
Make a list - I often have several lists for every show, my own shopping list including which vendors might have the stuff I’m looking for, a “stuff I wanna look at in person before deciding if I want it” list (this is especially useful for inks and papers), stuff friends have asked me to purchase for them, vendors/people I want to talk to, etc. You get the point.
Have a budget - Or at least some semblance of a budget. It is VERY easy to get caught up in the buying frenzy and spend more than intended. Or you start looking at limited edition Montblancs or Nakayas and suddenly that $300 pen doesn’t seem so expensive any more. Having the shopping list can definitely help keep you in check.
Get cash ahead of time - yes, many vendors including vintage ones, will accept credit card or PayPal, but occasionally the hotel wifi is spotty and some vendors may give a small discount for cash. It will also help you stick to your budget. Don’t assume that you’ll just get more cash at the hotel ATM because that is often emptied out pretty quickly at a pen show.
Snacks and water - Every hotel has different food options which vary greatly in terms of convenience, speed, quality, cuisine, price, etc. Even if you have figured out your lunch/dinner plans, having some snacks and a bottle of water will make it easier for you to get through the day and hopefully not make any hangry purchasing decisions.

General Tips

Carry a small bag(not backpack) - The aisles aren’t always wide and it’s very easy to block the aisles, knock people (and things) over as well as getting bumped by people trying to get by. If you have to carry a big bag, put it on the ground in front of you when you’re standing at a table.
Always ask before grabbing something off the table - While the answer is almost always “yes!”, asking first lets the vendor know that you’re interested in something and they can help you with questions or finding the perfect item.
Do the twist- When in doubt, always use a twisting motion to uncap a pen. If that doesn’t work, then ask the vendor if it is a twist cap before pulling the cap. While useful for all pens, this is particularly important for vintage pens which can easily be ruined by a forceful pull of a cap that wasn’t meant to be pulled.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! - No question is a stupid or silly one, and most vendors are more than happy to answer your questions. Ask if there is a similar model in a different color, if you can uncap it (see above), if you can dip it in ink or water (the latter can give you an approximate feel of how a nib might write), if they’d be willing to do a discount for cash, etc. If the vendor seems put off by your questions (and it’s not because they are swamped), maybe that’s a sign to try again later or move on altogether.
Bring your favorite paper - this is useful for trying out pens/inks that catch your interest. I like to write the name of the pen or ink I’m trying, as well as the vendor in case I want to go back later.
Bring your favorite pens and ink - Having your favorite pen inked up ahead of time will make it easier to try new paper to see if you like it. If you are getting nib work done, you can show the nib worker “I really like how this feels, can you make XYZ grind feel like this”? A small vial of your favorite ink means you can also ink up any new purchases, though let’s be real, who doesn’t buy a bottle of ink at a pen show?
Bring stuff you don’t love - You may be able to sell your pen/ink/notebook/whatever during after hours or possibly even trade with a vendor towards a different purchase. In some cases, the show may also have a table for folks to drop off their unwanted items that aren’t worth the hassle of selling. Or you may meet a newbie or student or kid that would be the perfect recipient of your items.
Take breaks- Remember the water and snacks you brought? Yeah those! Taking a break to refuel/rehydrate is a great way to make sure you’re not making impulse purchases because you’re hangry. Plus it gives you a chance to rest your feet, take stock of what you’ve seen/bought and what you want to do next.

*Pen people at the 2019 LA Pen Show hotel lounge.*

Wanna meet pen people? This is my favorite part about pen shows -- THE PEOPLE! Throughout the day (especially around lunch time and afternoon) and definitely after the show, many folks will congregate near the hotel restaurant, bar area or lobby - it’s pretty easy to tell who the pen attendees are because they’ll often be lugging around pen/paper.

What do I bring?- Bring your favorite pens and a notebook to write in. You might also want to bring some of your pen show purchases to show off too.
Where are they?- Look for pen-wielding folks who may already be sitting down and swapping pens and what-not. Saunter on over and say “anyone sitting here?” and join the fun! If you’re shy, that’s ok too! No need to be afraid, just look for smiling folks (most of us usually are!) and you can hang around until you feel comfortable approaching someone. Something like “ooh, what is that pen?” or “that’s an amazing ink color!” is a great way to break the ice!

*Adding tables to make room for pens and things at the 2019 St. Louis Pen Show.*

Ask questions!- This time, I’m not talking about asking pen/ink questions, but people questions. “Who should I talk to if I’m interested in trying out a Visconti?” “Who’s a good person for ink suggestions?” You’ll come away with at least a good recommendation, a new person to follow on Instagram, and often, someone will say “oh, you should talk to that person over there with the blue shirt, lemme introduce you”.
Look for fellow Pen Addicts!- Yes, that’s right, look for folks who might be sporting a Pen Addict t-shirt, patch, or even this button! And quite a few vendors have this nifty “Ask me anything” button on their lanyards too. If we can’t answer your question, we’ll definitely find someone who can!

New Normal (anyone else hate this term?) With COVID pandemic during the past year and a half, many shows were cancelled and shows are just beginning to pick up again. Unfortunately, as of this writing, COVID cases are picking up too. What things should you consider if you’re planning to go to a pen show?

Get vaccinated - I’m not going to go into this because all the data and science is out there. If you’re able to, get vaccinated. ‘Nuff said.
Wear a mask- Airplane travel will require masks in the airport as well as on planes, so be sure to have plenty of masks on hand for your trip. Shows may also be requiring masks indoors depending on local guidelines and mandates. Even if you are vaccinated, wearing a mask may help others feel more comfortable about being at a show.
Hand Sanitizer- Washing your hands often is the best way to keep germs and bay but if you can’t, hand sanitizer is very useful. CAVEAT: do not handle pens immediately after using hand sanitizer. Nor should you use hand sanitizer to clean any pens. It can damage a lot of pen materials, in some cases, even melting certain resins/acrylics. If you have used hand sanitizer, wait until your hands are completely dry before handling any pens, or ask the vendor to hold it up for you. All that is needed to clean a pen is water and maybe a touch of dish soap, just like before.
Be patient and understanding - Not everyone can get vaccinated due to health issues and not all vaccinated folks are super comfortable being around people after the past 18 months. Give people extra space when possible, ask before handling products (whether at a vendor’s table or during happy hour), and be aware that everyone has different levels of comfort in a group setting. This will help us all have an enjoyable time at a pen show.

This is a strange time for all of us as we figure out how to attend pen shows, whether it’s your first or your 50th show. I hope some of these tips will help you make the most of your pen show experience. Have fun and hope to see you at a pen show soon!

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