Most pen shows fall into three categories: (1) crazy-big shows like the D.C. Pen Show, which often occupy multiple hotel ballrooms filled with vendors from around the world; (2) mid-size shows that host most major vendors but can fit into a single large event space or two smaller ballrooms at a hotel; and (3) smaller regional shows that are held in a single hotel ballroom or even a community space like a library or student center. The Baltimore Pen Show falls firmly into this middle category, and has remained one of the best mid-size shows on the circuit over the past five years.
Though this is a shot from the 2020 Baltimore Pen Show, this panorama gives a good idea of how the show is laid out. It hasn’t changed much.
What Makes the Baltimore Pen Show a Reliably Positive Experience?
In my opinion, several different factors combine to make the Baltimore Pen Show a success:
Location. Baltimore is centrally located on the East Coast, with its own major international airport and a show hotel that’s reachable via hotel shuttle or a short taxi/rideshare ride. The hotel itself isn’t luxurious, but it has ample event space for this show, a good bar layout for after-hours events, and pretty good food, as far as “airport Marriott” hotels go.
Vendor Mix. Baltimore has a near-perfect mix of modern pen retailers, vintage vendors, and independent makers. In fact, I would say it draws the best combination of exhibitors for a show this size, which, as discussed below is great because the show typically isn’t as crowded as other major pen shows.
Attendance Levels. While Baltimore tends to be a well-attended show (depending heavily on the unpredictable weather in early March), traffic is never as heavy as D.C. or San Francisco, the setup features spaced tables and wide aisles, and the show draws many of the same vendors as larger events. For example, if you have claustrophobic tendencies (like me) and don’t particularly enjoy elbowing your way to the front of a crowd for a chance to look at the Franklin-Christoph demonstrators in D.C., consider visiting the Baltimore Pen Show.
This year I did something different: Rather than photographing the show, I tried to take a few videos to give readers - particularly those who have never had the opportunity to visit a show - a sense of what it’s like to walk the floor. These were all posted to Instagram Reels, and since they received an overwhelmingly positive reaction, I’ll plan to take more of these this weekend in Arkansas.
Franklin-Christoph in Baltimore: Still crowded, but a bit less of a fight!
A Few Reflections on Attending Shows as a Vendor
This year’s Baltimore Pen Show was the second show I’ve attended as a vendor (as opposed to going as an attendee or working behind the table for someone else). With your own table, it’s definitely more difficult to break away to explore the show, since you have to worry about missing customers who might stop by looking for you, and theft is always a concern. (So far, I haven’t heard any horror stories, but it’s generally much harder to steal stuff when the show isn’t extremely crowded.) What doesn’t change is the opportunity to meet up and hang out with friends and attendees after-hours, including several Patreon supporters who stopped by the table and the bar to visit and swap pen show stories. While Vanness Pens and T.G.S. were supposed to have a meetup space available to use throughout the weekend for demonstrations and seminars, our tables ended up getting moved at the last minute and we lost our demonstration space. Show logistics can be tricky!
I sort of very much regret not bringing home this vintage Mr. Peanut mechanical pencil.
Vintage wares weren’t limited to fountain pens - a dealer near me had a wide array of vintage bullet pencils (in addition to several Mr. Peanuts).
Up Next: Come Visit T.G.S. at the 2023 Arkansas Pen Show!
After a brief trip home to get caught up on orders, pet my dogs, and repack the car, I’m off to Little Rock for the 2023 Arkansas Pen Show! I’ll be bringing a slightly different assortment of goods to this smaller show that tends to be highly local. Current plans include some of the Hightide Sandglasses, Folding Metal Book Stands, the T.G.S.-exclusive Penwell and other desk accessories; more Write Notepads paper, and of course favorites such as the Lochby Cases and Washi Tape. If you plan to attend the show and would like to make a specific request, either message me or place an order online using the coupon code “615PICKUP” at checkout to drop the shipping charge. Also, don’t forget that our Baltimore Pen Show online special runs through the end of the day today: claim 10% off your order using the code “PENSHOW10”!
The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. This post does not contain paid third-party advertising or affiliate links.