(Note: I write a weekly newsletter for Pen Addict Members. This week, I’m sharing my opening few paragraphs to Issue #470, where I recap the Atlanta Pen Show. I think it is important to share, because I think we, as a stationery community, are at an inflection point as to what constitutes a good pen show. If you like what you read and want to see more, this is a tiny fraction of the additional content I create for Members. For $5 a month, you can help support my work. Thank you!)
Like the jelly I get for my toast at Waffle House, my feelings are mixed on the Atlanta Pen Show. On one hand, it was amazing and I had a fantastic time seeing my friends, looking at products from well-known and new vendors alike, plus hanging out during the day, and at night. On the other hand, the event itself has become outdated, and without a change, I worry about the future of my home show.
Let’s get the bad out of the way first. As I sit and write this newsletter on Sunday morning, the Atlanta Pen Show website still has most of past year’s information posted. Aside from the dates for the 2025 event, and the hotel info, nothing else is current. That means vendors like Dromgoole’s and Vanness Pens are listed from 2024, but not here for 2025.
That’s only the beginning of the problems.
Despite what was on the Seminars page of the website, there were none. And by none, I mean literally zero classes or seminars were available for attendees. The only events were the Friday cookout for weekend pass holders and vendors - minus the beer and wine drink tickets the show always provided in the past - and the Saturday night pizza party for weekend pass holders and vendors, which I didn’t attend and don’t have any feedback on yet.
This was the most phoned in show I’ve ever been to, with zero attempts to modernize. And y’all know I love Jimmy Dolive, the owner of the Atlanta Pen Show, so it pains me to see a show on the decline like this, especially when us as stationery fans have never been more spoiled with choice.
I expect more, but I’m under no illusion it is going to change any time soon.
On the positive side of the ledger, aside from the opening hour on Friday, the crowd seemed good through Saturday afternoon. And, throughout my conversations with many vendors, it sounded like business was happening as normal. That’s a good sign that the local community will still support this show, even if it is more of a transactional event. Atlanta doesn’t have a traditional fountain pen store, so this show helps out the locals greatly.
And I had a genuinely fun time because these events are always about the people for me. That side of the ledger was 10 out of 10. As per usual, pen people are the best people.
