July 14, 2024 Saiko Sloth

Everything to Know About The 2024 San Francisco Pen Show

Introduction

For an avid pen enthusiast, the San Francisco Pen Show is the place to be—a must-attend event for anyone with a passion for luxury writing supplies and stationery. Held annually in the heart of San Francisco, it has been evolving since its early days in the 1920s. Unlike other pen events that might focus solely on buying and selling collectibles, the SF Pen Show has been working hard since 2014 to welcome in the next generation of pen people: creatives, writers, artists, and bullet journalers.

With 100+ vendors, it is always good to have a game plan when attending an event so large. In this blog post, we'll delve into the details of the event, highlight key vendors, and provide tips on how to make the most of your visit.

Whether you're a collector looking for rare finds or a newcomer eager to learn more about the world of pens, this guide has you covered on what to expect at this year’s event.

Planning Your Visit

Dates and Location

The 2024 San Francisco International Pen Show is happening from August 23–25, 2024, at the Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel in Millbrae, CA.

Schedule

The chart below shows the general schedule for the event and has been updated as of 07/09/2024.

General admission for the show opens at 1:00 PM on Friday and 10:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Those with a dealer or All Access pass can enter the show sooner. Keep an eye on the clock while you’re at the event; this is a relatively large event split into three main areas, all with different vendors.

The main ballroom closes at 5 p.m. every day. Don’t be alarmed if you’re in the process of purchasing something when the clock hits 5; vendors will generally accommodate last-minute purchases. Although the foyer officially closes at 5 p.m., vendors can continue doing business as late as they want. The grand salon will remain open until 8 p.m.

We will be updating this guide as new information comes through, but be sure to check the official website for the most up-to-date information to ensure you don’t miss out on any exciting exhibits!

Accommodations

The event organizers have recommended two hotels for attendees and even included a discounted show rate of $169.00 if booked before July 24th. As of writing this, the Westin has completely sold out and the only remaining rooms are available at the ALoft. Both hotels are adjoined and share a common parking lot.

If you want to plan dinner in the area, take a look at this Google Maps guide containing a list of nearby restaurants, hotels, and points of interest that are a short drive or within a 30 minute walk to/from the hotel.

Travel Tips

San Francisco is well-connected by air, with the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) serving as a major hub for domestic and international flights. From the airport, you can easily reach the event via public transportation, taxi, or rideshare services.

Those who are planning to stay at either of the two hotels (The Westin San Francisco Airport or ALoft San Francisco) may want to take advantage of the hotel shuttle, which leaves every 15 minutes from the airport. If you are arriving from 1 AM to 4 AM, you will have to call the hotel to schedule a shuttle pick up.

If you're driving to the event, be aware that finding parking may be difficult as there are a very limited number of spots, all of which are shared amongst staff, attendees, and hotel guests. If you are planning to show up just on time for a particular workshop and park on site, think again!

Public transportation, including buses, trams, and the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) system, is another convenient and cost-effective way to get to the event. Tickets for BART cost $7-$9 and there is a vehicle leaving from San Francisco International Airport towards Millbrae every 15 minutes.

Admission Prices and Payment Options

Admission to the San Francisco Pen Show is available via cash or PayPal:

All Access Pass (8 am entry every day): $65 (PayPal invoice will be sent)
Friday Single Day (1 pm entry time): $25 (cash), $26 (PayPal)
Saturday Single Day (10 am entry time): $10 (cash), $11 (PayPal)
Sunday Single Day (10 am entry time): $10 (cash), $11 (PayPal)
Saturday & Sunday (10 am entry time each day): $15 (cash), $16 (PayPal)

There is no advanced registration for general admission tickets so attendees for GA can purchase their tickets from the front registration desk once they arrive at the show. All access passes can be purchased in advance at this link.

What to Expect at the Show

Exhibitors and Vendors

One of the main attractions of the San Francisco Pen Show is the wide variety of exhibitors and vendors. You'll find everything from vintage and antique pens to the latest releases from top brands.

Vendors showcase a diverse range of products, including fountain pens, ballpoint pens, rollerballs, inks, paper, and other stationery items. Take your time to browse the exhibits, ask questions, and try out different products. This is a great opportunity to discover new brands, find unique items, and add to your collection.

Here are the exhibitors that have signed up so far:

#A-C: 4LegsFactory, A Thousand Words, Aesthetic Bay, All in the Nib, Andrew Sonnemaker, Anderillium inks, Artifex Wax, Bob Nurin, Bokumondoh, Brute Force Pens, Bungubox, Capital Pen Co., Carolina Pen Company, Cole's of London, Crazy Alan's Emporium, Curnow Bookbinding and Leatherwork, Custom Nib Studio

D-G: Dayne Nix, Deanna Ruiz, Dmitry, drdgear, Dr. G's Pen Apothecary, Eboya, Elbwood, Enigma Stationers, Entropy Ink (Nik Pang), Epitome Pen Company, Everyday Explorer, Flax Pen to Paper, Flexinibpens, Franklin Christoph, Girologio Leather, Glassophy, Glass Studio aun Akihiro Eda, Goby Designs, Goldenberg Design, Gravitas Pens, Greg Minuskin

H-L: H. Works, HelloTrello, Hirai Wood Turner, Hirsch Davis, Ink-a-Pet, inkycoverters, Iron Feather Creative, JJ Lax Pen Co. John Strother, Jowo Shop, Kanilea Pens, Karas Kustoms, Kiwi Inks, Kobu Setu, Kubo and Lucy, Kyuseido (Tokyo Station Pens), Laban, Laurett's, Leonardo Pens, Life After Breakfast, London Pen Co.

M-P: Maido, Mannenhitsu Kobo FURUTA, Mark Helfen, Maruman, Matt's Nib Work, Mayfair Pens, Michael's Fatboy Pens, Midnight Pens, Mike-it-Work (Masuyama), Miroslav Tischler, Musubi, Muze Pens, Myk Daigle, Nagasawa, Nib Tailor, Opus Cineris, Paper Treats, Paper Wants a Pen, Parker, Paul Erano, Pen Realm, Pen Tooling, PENdulum, Pensubury Manor, Peyton Street Pens, Pinky Elephant, PLOTTER USA

R-Z: Ray Walters, Rich Lott, Rick Propas, River City Pen Company, Rubato pen shop, Sailor USA, Schon Design, Scopuspens, Shawn Newton, Skogsy, Solarium Pens, O-Designs (seY Pens), St. John's Pens, StudyoAgackakan, Stylo Art Karuizawa, Susan Thom, Tamenuri Studios, The Pleasure of Writing, thePenman, Tokubetsumemori, Topdrawer, Toyooka Craft, Toys in the Attic, TRAVELER'S COMPANY USA, Urushi Pen, Urushi Studio India, White Bear Pens, YAFA Brands, Yamamoto Paper, Ys Notes, Yukio Nagahara

Workshops and Seminars

The San Francisco Pen Show offers a variety of workshops and seminars led by industry experts and enthusiasts. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, from pen maintenance and nib customization to calligraphy and handwriting techniques. As of now, the schedule for the 2024 SF Pen Show has yet to be announced.

If you are interested in attending a seminar there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is that while seminars are free and open to all attendees, classes are a more exclusive paid experience.

Attending these workshops can provide valuable insights and hands-on experience. Be sure to check the class schedule in advance and sign up for any sessions that interest you, as they can fill up quickly!

Social Events and Networking

In addition to the exhibits and workshops, the San Francisco Pen Show stands out as a great place to form new relationships. These events provide a chance to meet fellow pen and stationery enthusiasts, share your own expertise, and learn from others in the community.

During the event, you are bound to bump into others with similar interests. If you have questions, the exhibitors are very knowledgeable in most cases and happy to chat. You may find yourself making a friend or two during the classes, seminars, or even at the ink testing stations.

Since many of the post-event meetups are spontaneous, it is a good bet that the hotel restaurant, bar, and lobby areas will be a great place to socialize and meet new people. If you’d like to hear a personal recap of last year’s event and some of the networking opportunities, take a look at The Pen Addict’s blog post.

As an introvert, it may feel uncomfortable to introduce yourself to strangers. However, this pen show is full of very friendly faces. Try to get out of your comfort zone and take a chance by introducing yourself to others!

Making the Most of Your Experience

Preparing Your Shopping List

Before attending the San Francisco Pen Show, it's a good idea to prepare a shopping list. Think about what you're looking for, whether it's a specific type of pen, a particular brand, or unique stationery items.

Having a list will help you stay focused and make the most of your time at the show. Feel free to use this guide as a jumping-off point; research the names in the exhibitor list earlier in this guide to learn more about them and what they have to offer. Of course, leave some room for spontaneous purchases – you never know what amazing finds you'll come across!

Budgeting Tips

With so many tempting products on display, it's easy to get carried away with spending. Before you even get to the event, you should have an idea of how much you are willing to spend at the show. Consider bringing cash, as some vendors may offer discounts for cash purchases. Additionally, keep an eye out for show specials and deals, which can help you save money on your favorite items.

Come Prepared

Since this is a three-day event, you’ll want to be sure that you have everything you need so you don’t miss out on the best parts of the day. You will definitely want to bring a small bag that is not too cumbersome and fill it with some items that will make your day easier.

Considering packing items like:

Cash & Credit/Debit Cards: While cash is useful for negotiating deals with exhibitors, having an alternative method of payment can be important in the event you run into additional expenses for food, transportation, or even parking in the surrounding areas.
Food & Water: Since the ballroom is only open for a limited amount of time, you may want to consider bringing snacks and water to avoid wasting any time loitering around vending machines or leaving the venue.
Pens & Paper: Although this seems like a no-brainer, you’ll want to have some supplies on-hand to test any pens or inks you’re planning to purchase. If you have room, carrying some stationery items you aren’t fond of for trades with other attendees or vendors can also be a fun idea.

In addition to coming physically prepared on the day of the event, you’ll also want to be sure you’ve taken steps ahead of time to ensure you can experience everything you want to. This means keeping an eye on the class sign-up as well as contacting any nib meisters ahead of time to be sure that you’re pre-registered for any nib work that you’d like to have done at the show.

Documenting Your Experience

Fond memories are one thing, but a picture is worth a thousand words! Take photos of your favorite exhibits (with the exhibitor’s consent, of course), make notes about interesting products, and jot down the names of vendors and brands you want to remember. If you don’t have enough cash on hand, many of the exhibitors have an online presence where you can support them.

Sharing your experience on social media or your blog can also be a great way to connect with others and find friends for future shows. We’d love to see how the event goes for you, so feel free to tag us @SaikoStationery and we may even add you to our story!

Conclusion

The San Francisco Pen Show is going to be a great one this year! There's something for everyone at this exciting event and we hope that this guide will help you plan your visit and make the most out of your time there.

If you’re interested in supporting us so we can create more informational content in the future, please consider taking a look at our store! We’re a small shop owned by two best friends that offer a variety of Japanese stationery supplies and bullet journal accessories.

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