Write On! – Attending Your First Pen Show

Though we're nearly halfway through 2025, there are still plenty of pen shows to attend, and some of the biggest ones are still on the docket. If you haven't attended a pen show but have a growing appreciation of writing instruments and paraphernalia, you should really consider finding one that is close to you and checking it out. No there aren't pen shows in every state, but they are relatively regional, and I would imagine there is one close enough that a plane ticket and one night at the hotel wouldn't break the bank. Or you could be really adventurous and fly out super early, attend the pen show until the evening, and then catch a return flight that same night. I don't recommend that choice, but I know several people who have done that. Having said all of that, here are some words of advice if you do end up attending your first pen show.

First off, make a budget, if you don’t you may end up spending WAY more than you’d planned on. Pen shows are one of those places where there’s bound to be something that catches your eye on EVERY SINGLE TABLE. There will be a lot of the same thing on multiple tables, but there are also a lot of unique items especially if you’re considering vintage fountain pens. Along those same lines, unless you’re looking for something VERY specific, don’t buy the first time you see something. Most vendors get set up early then they peruse the other tables and price their stuff pretty close to other vendors pricing. But there are numerous stories of someone buying a pen the first time they saw it, only to find a similar or better example of the pen for considerably cheaper at another table.

Speaking of prices, don't be afraid to make an offer on a pen; pen shows are meant for bargaining. This isn’t a true blanket statement. Some sellers simply won’t shift from their prices. Most of those are the larger stores, manufacturers, and some hardnosed sellers. But many, if not most, of the other tables will be set up by someone who understands there is going to be a lot of “wheeling and dealing” going on. So don’t be afraid to try to talk the price down a bit, it works in a LOT of cases. This is especially true on the last day of the show, many sellers are looking to reduce the weight of their bags or want to make a few extra dollars and their prices end up being a bit more negotiable.

One piece of advice you’ll hear tossed around is the “ask before you touch” statement. This is good advice for the most part, but I think it is becoming less of something vendors are really vehement about. There are some hardline vendors that will get bent out of shape if you touch their wares, but a lot of vendors are really trying hard to sell things. They understand people are there to touch the pens. Be respectful and careful with their product, and if you feel like asking first that’s nice but I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as it used to be.

Spend as much time in the hotel common areas with the pen nerds as possible. There are often classes and meet ups at scheduled times during the shows, but after the show closes there are also planned and spontaneous gatherings. Pen nerds are an amazingly kind group of people for the most part. They’re all in one place to geek out about pens, paper, and ink. They’re pretty much a jolly bunch and tend to take over the bar, restaurant, and patio area for long sessions of eating, drinking, talking, and sharing pens with other people. This is your chance to write with almost any pen imaginable. You’ll likely see every pen you’ve ever considered as a “grail” pen, and in most cases, they'll be happy to let you try out those pens. That’s how much pen nerds want to show off their stuff. If you’re staying for the entire show, this evening gathering will likely evolve into a dinner somewhere, drinks and cigars, and all kinds of other cool stuff. It’s just a really fun time.

But if you’ve travelled far to a show, then also consider taking some time to see the sights. There isn’t anything wrong with taking a detour to spend a little time doing non-pen related things. There are always other opportunities in almost every city that hosts a pen show. Taking a break to head to a museum, see a baseball game, or walk through some of the tourist attractions, makes the entire trip that much more memorable. I've had some amazing meals when I decided to step off the hotel grounds and wander off to a hole-in-the-wall barbecue spot in Atlanta or a taco spot with no seating in an industrial park in San Francisco. Uber is your friend and can get you extra memories from your "pen show trip".

Hopefully, this list is helpful. We can’t wait to spend some time with those of you that do attend shows later this year. We're laying out some special Pen Show exclusives like we've offered in the past, plus some one-off pens that we'll have beginning with the DC Supershow and San Francisco Pen Show. The 2025 calendar has four shows left, and we're excited to see you in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Dallas, and Colorado. Here's to attending your first pen show or your hundredth!