Its getting closer.Has everyone made there accomodations?Is there still rooms available in the area??Remember like Gary stated,weather can be either warm or long sleeve cold.
OTSN survival tips:
1)Remember the time change once you get to Chicago if your flying or driving from a different time zone.First year rookie mistake made by me!!!!Boy did I show up early Sunday for the show opening.
2)If you fly into Chicago try and use a Cab service or limo service from the airport to Shaumburg.Its way cheaper than hailing a cab at the curb.The usual cost is/was $25-30 last year and if you can double up with someone its cheaper.
3)Room trading is like a mouse in a maze set-up.Try to get a reference page with the room listings and mark rooms that you wish to return to or at least write that room number down.If your like me,chances of finding the room again without multiple or repeated wanderings is a given.Remember to that room trading involves usually two and sometimes three floors with hallways going every which way...Ahhhh!!Last comment here,CASH works better for room trading deals!!
4)From above statement that means you better bring a pen(better to have two) and at least one piece of paper.At least to write down names of all the people you meet.Also bags and boxes are in short,short supply so if you think of it bring a couple of plastic bags to at least put handouts or business cards in.Sometimes if your lucky you can find a stray cleaning cart or one left unattended and borrow a few garbage bags from there.Just borrow them...Sometimes checking the stairwells will yield some empty boxes that dealers throw there for the cleaning staff to pick up.
5)Allow yourself plenty of time for room trading and if you find something,especially K&C retired sets you better not linger to long because if you think it will be there when you come back,forget about it.Remember there are two forum boards now full of K&C collectors looking for the same things you are.Also don't forget the many dealers that are there are looking to.
6)Since you will be walking on your feet most of the time wear comfortable shoes.Trust me your feet will love you for it.You won't believe the miles you will put on them trying to find that one room where you saw something you wanted and didn't write down the room number like I told you to do...
7)A camera is an option but not an essential.Remember its another piece that you have to carry around but there will be photo opportunities that will be available of some pretty amazing stuff that you will not see at your local toy shows.
8)Room trading usally slows close to five o'clock and ends around that time.Some dealers might stay a little later but they like to go and unwind from a busy day of sales.These people like to eat to you know.The next morning might find that some rooms don't open until later in the morning(10-11)depending on how fun the night before was..
9)Nightlife and restaurants are available depending on what you are looking for.There are plenty of eating spots within walking distance of the show.Its a good time to meet up with people that you have met and just talk toy soldiers.
10)What is the wife suppose to do while your at the show???Well if her interests are not toy soldiers then there is plenty of shopping opportunities locally with a couple of malls and an IKEA outlet nearby.
11)If you stick around for the Sunday show and have any money left then you will find that there might be a whole different selection of dealers and sellers there.Some dealers just stay for the room trading where others are there for just the Sunday show or both.The show takes place on the main floor of the Motel in the convention rooms.There are usually two or three huge rooms and trust me its not as confusing as what you have experienced the last couple of days room trading.
12)Shipping is usually set up in one of the rooms the day of the show by the Motel.I can't remember what service they use or provide.Gary informed me of a post office that was very close by so I just shipped everything home that way.The first year I went I checked it as luggage on the plane.Security opened everything and checked the contents of some of the boxes.Thank god nothing was damaged.
Well off the top of my head thats what I remember from past experiences.I hope others will offer their opinions and tips.Enjoy and have a great time.I look forward to meeting many of the board members,dealers and of course Andy if the opportunity arises.OTSN 2005,yippy
