Baltimore Washington International Pen Show 2018

The Baltimore Washington International Pen Show is booked and ready to go! The big news is the location, as we ran out of space last year. The new location will be at the Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards. Yes, that’s right next to the ballpark, and blocks from the inner harbor. The show starts Friday, March 2nd, and runs through Sunday, March 4th. It will be three full days of buying, selling, and trading the world’s greatest (new and old) fountain pens, ballpoints, and anything else that writes. We will have a house-full of modern and vintage dealers. This year’s show will host multiple seminars ranging from pen history to nib tuning to calligraphy classes, and other writing classes. While all 3 days will be full of dealers, we will be trying something new in the evening.

While many of you have heard of speed dating, the #BWIPS2018 will have speed training and information. This great idea and fun event was coined by Lisa Vanness of the Vanness Pen Company (one of our supporters of the show). Here’s how it works: on Friday or Saturday after the show we will set up several themed tables offering various topics. Each table will hold court for a limited time, and folks will then move on to the next table or event. This is our first time doing speed training, but it sure sounds like tons of fun.

Also missing for the past few years at the #BWIPS2018 is a live auction. I’m very excited to bring this event back to the show. I’ll be accepting items soon if you would like to sell some of your pens. The auction will be held either Friday or Saturday night, depending on the Speed Training tables.

No pen show is complete without the wonderful teaching of Ms. Deborah Basel. While we are finalizing details of which classes to offer, I’m sure Deborah won’t disappoint.

The show at the Marriott will have two ballrooms directly opposite from each other. This is a great feature as the hallway between them will dead-end. There will only be traffic dedicated to the pen show, and no hotel traffic. Doors will be open in both rooms, allowing folks to walk freely between them. This gives the feel of one really big room. The passage between the rooms will be the location for our speed training tables.

We have our own private classroom for the classes, seminars, and auction. This makes for a very personal and optimum experience. The room will be open Thursday afternoon into the evening for pre-show trading and a get-together.

What about the food? I mean ya gotta eat, “write”? This year’s show will hold a table breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday. I have found over the years this works best over lunches or other meals. The dealers just come early and eat, whereas other meals are not as scheduled. So you can expect a big Marriott full breakfast on both days.

There’s tons more info. coming as the show takes shape, and dealers fill the tables. The Baltimore Washington International Pen Show website will be updated as pertinent information is available.

All tables will be assigned way before the show gets started. In other words, vendors will know their exact location as they come in on Thursday night and Friday morning.

This is just the beginning of a new chapter for the #BWIPS2018. I hope you will be a part of it, whether you’re a dealer or a customer walking in. If you’re new to pens this is a perfect show for you. We will have ample space for folks to move around, and dedicated dealers to help you navigate your way around the show.

I am here to help with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any.

I look forward to seeing you at the #BWIPS2018.

Bert Oser

Promoter

Baltimore Washington International Pen Show.

bert@bertramsinkwell.com