OTSN Chicago Show (1 Viewer)

[Shannon Reuss]

Some of you who haven't been to toy soldier shows or the Chicago show itself have been wondering what it's all about. I know the OTSN (hereafter called the "Chicago Show") is the biggest show of its kind in the US and I have been told that its the largest in the world but I don't know that for sure.
The show itself takes place each year on the last Sunday in September at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, 1800 E. Golf Road in Schaumburg, IL (10 miles west of Chicago O' Hare Airport). The 2005 show will take place September 25th from 10am to 3:30pm. Adult admission is only $5, children 12 and under get in free with an adult admission. Early admission (floor rights) during setup from 7-10 am is available for $30. If you don't mind paying the fee this is a great time to wheel and deal to get first pick as the dealers are setting up their tables.
The show proper is on Sunday but dealers and collectors begin flocking to the hotel some as early as Wednesday but definitely by Friday and Saturday for the annual tradition of "room trading." The dealers pretty much take over the 4th and 5th floor of the hotel which is laid out like a giant labyrinth and turn their hotel rooms into mini-stores. Room trading is my favorite part of the show experience. Dealers often only have a table or two on the show floor but they have a whole room to fill during room trading so many unique items are there for the discovering that will never see the Sunday show. Room trading is a giant browse-fest where collectors are seen wandering from room to room at their leisure, following the myriad of signs that are posted on giant bulletin boards by the elevators luring them to what dealers and traders alike hope will be just the thing they have been in search of or didn't know they needed until they see it. Many manufacturers are in attendence with their new and upcoming releases and they have much more time to answer questions during this casual room trading time than in the hustle and bustle of the Sunday show. This is also a great time to get together with other collectors--you need to plan ahead and pick a time and place to meet. This venue is huge and you could easily spend an entire day looking for but never finding someone (I can attest to that from trying unsuccessfully to connect with a customer my first year in attendance--we never did find each other.) The hotel will not give out telephone or room numbers at the desk if I remember correctly which makes pre-planning a must. We at Treefrog Treasures are always happy to have collectors congregate in our room. If you come to the show definitely stop by and stay awhile.
This year will be the 25th anniversary of the show so I expect they are planning to make it the biggest and best ever.
More information about the show is available at toysoldiershow.com or you can call Don Pielin at 630-497-1239 or Stever Sommers at 708-383-6525. Don's email is dimestores@aol.com. The hotel books up fast and there is a special rate for show goers of $103 per night (this is Chicago remember!). There are other hotels listed on the show website that are nearby and will also honor the special price.
This is just an general overview of the show. I'm sure others will have more to add and if you have more questions just post them here.

Shannon at Treefrog Treasures

 

[gk5717]

Don,t know if I can add anything to what Shannon said other than this will be my 15th consecutive year.
I never fail to find something that I knew ever existed, plus coming across real bargains.
I think the best part is being around toy soldier collectors for 4 days, as in my normal routine at home there are none.
I have finally met the guys I,ve been emailing back and forth, and now there is a core of guys that I really look forward to just getting together again to BS.
If you plan on going do it for the room trading part, meaning make sure you are there for Friday & Saturday. The actual show is in my mind
is an aftermath, because most years I never find anything new at the show that I hadn,t seen in the room trading or I flat ran out of money by Sunday.
Speaking of money, bring a lot.
I know there will be much more on this the closer to September we get, but make plans now.
And by the way, I have read on more than one occasion, THIS IS THE BIGGEST SHOW IN THE WORLD.
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

For bringing money, I've heard $1000 is a safe amount.

 

[Alexdakar]

You guys are getting me excited. I've never been or to any toy soldier show. I've been collecting for five years. I'm already planning the trip and expenses.

 

[jazzeum]

You're kidding right. Well, I've been collecting for a year and been to two. You'd clean up. A friend of mine told me that at the Valley Forge show somebody sold two Patton cars for $100 each. Can you believe that? I'll bet there will be some good deals at this one.

 

[Leadmen]

I make my reservations for Fri. - Sun. I reserve the room for the following year before leaving hotel. With the mall and IKEA store there my wife enjoys the trip. We been going for many years. I agree it is fun to meet people you ordered from and other friends.It seems I never take enough money for weekend and borrow from the wife. I found it is good to carry smaller bills for room shopping because some sellers don';t have change. Leadmen

 

[gk5717]

Leadman, good point about the shopping.
My wife goes with me every year and makes full use of the large mall and other shopping venues in Schaumburg.
Gary

 

[Shannon Reuss]

I forgot to mention in case anyone wonders what the N is for in OTSN it is for Old Toy Soldier Newsletter which is how the current Old Toy Soldier magazine got it's start.

 

[Alexdakar]

How was the weather last year. Is it cold up there? I'm from Texas and we only have warm and hot.

 

[gk5717]

Re: OTSN Chicago Show Weather

It has been in the mid eighties, to a rainy 60,s.
It,s never been cold.
Gary

 

[Ana Donzino]

It goes from warm to cold. I've been at the OTSN Show for the last five years, and weather has been warm most of the times (shorts and sandals), but cold surprised me once or twice, and I had a hard time doing shopping around the hotel (I came back with a flue). Take a coat.

 

[Warbuff26]

FYI....The biggest mall in the midwest behind the Mall of America is a walk across the street.

 

[Alexdakar]

Thats good to know because i'm bringing my wife and 2 year daughter. What is the name of the mall. Thanks

 

[Leadmen]

Schaumberg Mall is the name of Mall also known has Woodfield Mall. They have a trolley cars running to mall from locations around hotel- Barnes and Noble bookstore and big Swedish store Ikea behind hotel. Shuttles run back and forth. I think they are free. Nordstrom store has a nice little restaurent on upper level. Olive Garden across street from hotel. Leadman-- (most guys don't eat at hotel unless you like a $15.00 burger with drink extra. I guess they are going to put out a burger special price at hotel for show after many complaints. Leadmen

 

[Alexdakar]

The Hyatt Regency Woodfield hotel is sold out for OTSN. Can someone recommended a nice hotel and it doesn't need to be near the show.

Thanks

 

[jazzeum]

I think if you go to toysoldiershow.com, it lists other hotels near by. I had heard recently that it was selling out fast. I need to make my plane reservations however.

 

[Alexdakar]

Not much info there.

 

[jazzeum]

Ok, try this. This was extracted from their website a few weeks ago: If the Hyatt runs out of space, the AmeriSuites Hotel Across the lot from the Hyatt) in Schaumburg offers a comparable rate and will be able to accommodate those attending the show. The AmeriSuites' number is (847) 330-1060.

 

[gk5717]

I,ve been staying at the Drury Inn for the last 14 years, it,s about a half mile away, I walk to the Hyatt all the time. There is also a LaQuinta right next door to the Drury.
I will have a car, my wife uses it for her shopping up there but if need be, as I did last year with Fullyautomatic, she can pick us up if we have a lot of boxes etc, or if it is raining she can take us there.
Also if you are flying in and need to ship boxes home there is a post office right by the Drury.
Gary

 

[Fullyautomatic]

Okay my probation period is over,I'm back again.My first year at OTSN 2003 it was cold and snowing.Last year it was shorts weather.So on that note the weather can be unpredictable.Remember its the Lake Effect.I also stayed at the AmeriSuites the first year.Last year they upped their prices and Gary informed me of the the Motels he mentioned.If you don't mind the walk(its not that bad unless you have alot of purchases to carry) then the price difference is definately worth it(AAA rebate also).I think cab fare to/from the Hyatt was under ten bucks if you decide to go that route.Cheaper if you double up with a couple of collectors.Now cab fare fare from the airport is a different story.I recommend one of the car services that are listed near the terminal exit.Under thirty bucks with tip and if you can double up again with someone its a great deal.Boxes and bags are in short supply at the show so I would recommend a couple of extra plastic bags to pack some purchases in or to help carry things around.Luckily last year there was a wedding going on at the Hyatt and I snapped up some of there extra boxes.Then off to the post office like Gary said and I shipped everything home.The first year I checked it on the plane.I wasn't happy to find that security had opened all my boxes to check if there was really toys in them like I listed on the check-in paperwork.Lucky nothing was broke.All I could picture was security sitting in there breakroom playing wargames with my K&C tanks and such.Ahhh!!!
Anyways thats some of the advice I have for anyone going for their first time.You will get lost if you try and do the room trading thing so don't be surprised.You won't be the only one walking around like a research rat in a maze.Write down room numbers so you can find the ones you need to re-visit later.
Thats all....