OTSN first timer (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter pfd119
- Start date
Leadmen
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2005
- Messages
- 3,885
Try again. Post was deleted as a double post.
I would get a list of dealers and room numbers at the show. This will help you find various dealers. Also, carry a small notebook to write down purchases and rooms you might want to go back and check again. The dealers have sturdy bags or bring one for purchases. I would carry small bills for some purchases or individual figures.
The place is like a maze on the fourth and fifth floors. You will have a great time at the show. Watch that you don't leave bags laying in rooms. I been lucky and went back to a room and the dealer had set aside my purchase. John
I would get a list of dealers and room numbers at the show. This will help you find various dealers. Also, carry a small notebook to write down purchases and rooms you might want to go back and check again. The dealers have sturdy bags or bring one for purchases. I would carry small bills for some purchases or individual figures.
The place is like a maze on the fourth and fifth floors. You will have a great time at the show. Watch that you don't leave bags laying in rooms. I been lucky and went back to a room and the dealer had set aside my purchase. John
Louis Badolato
Lieutenant General
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2005
- Messages
- 17,265
My advice is enjoy the people and worry less about purchases. Believe me, there will be plenty of things to buy, but getting to put faces to names, and spend time with manufacturers, dealers and collectors for all over the world is by far the best part.
chillywill
Private 2
- Joined
- May 8, 2011
- Messages
- 72
I also will be a first-timer coming from Kentucky. I feel like a child going to an amusement park. All the advice from you folks who are veterans of the show is much appreciated. I collect a little bit of everything but am becoming more interested as of late in Roman, Greek and other ancient world figures.
jac28
Sergeant
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2007
- Messages
- 616
They always have a map of the dealers w/room numbers for the room trading - so be sure to pick up one of those... Thursday evening, Friday / Friday eveing and Saturday seem to be the busiest for room trading... Sat. late afternoon/early evening rooms will be close early in preparation to moving things to the ballrooms for the Sunday show.
Be sure to chat with the dealers, introduce yourself, etc.. I don't think they are ever too busy to talk with an interested collector - even if you don't purchase anything from them.
Where are you from in KY? I'm orginally from Corbin.
Jim
Be sure to chat with the dealers, introduce yourself, etc.. I don't think they are ever too busy to talk with an interested collector - even if you don't purchase anything from them.
Where are you from in KY? I'm orginally from Corbin.
Jim
ecuriel
Corporal
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2009
- Messages
- 545
Bring good walking shoes.
If you have time, make it to The Museum of Industry, Stuka and U-Boat are must sees.
Bring a good carry-on bag for your super valuable items.
Give yourself time for shipping items on Monday.
Bring plenty of cash, many room traders do not have credit card machines.
If you have time, make it to The Museum of Industry, Stuka and U-Boat are must sees.
Bring a good carry-on bag for your super valuable items.
Give yourself time for shipping items on Monday.
Bring plenty of cash, many room traders do not have credit card machines.
chillywill
Private 2
- Joined
- May 8, 2011
- Messages
- 72
Thanks again for the tips... I am from Louisville i now live in Goshen if you are familiar. Also seriously look for items Marine Corps related as i served in that outfit.
kogu
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2007
- Messages
- 3,635
Welcome chillywill,
I live in Florence, Northern KY, and am also looking forward to a few days at the Chicago Show.
Meeting fellow collectors, dealers, mfrs., forum members, from around the globe is the main thing for me. Lots of people there and if you stay in the Hyatt you actually can enjoy nonstop Toy Soldier Hobby for several days.
Konrad
I live in Florence, Northern KY, and am also looking forward to a few days at the Chicago Show.
Meeting fellow collectors, dealers, mfrs., forum members, from around the globe is the main thing for me. Lots of people there and if you stay in the Hyatt you actually can enjoy nonstop Toy Soldier Hobby for several days.
Konrad
eborris
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2007
- Messages
- 1,372
Yes, be prepared to be over whelmed. Have a plan, there is so much to see you can lose yourself. It really is amazing.
binder001
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2005
- Messages
- 2,729
I have only been a few times myself, but I always have enjoyed the event.
Places to stay - some people stay at the Hyatt, it's nice. Personally I stay over at the Residence Inn, it's quieter and I like their rooms. My wife likes the IKEA store next door, and going over to the big mall so she has plenty to do also. There are other places nearby, within a half-mile, so with a short walk, one can be right at the show. There are plenty of opportunities for food in the vicinity, both sit down and fast food.
The show is held across two floors and the floor plan can be "bewildering". As mentioned above, grab a map (usually available in the elevator lobby on each floor). These are listed by room number and also by vendor name. Personally I start with certain favorites. The Treefrog Treasures room is always a good place to get a nice welcome and see some of the forum members. George Guerierro from Minutemen always has some neat displays. A "must see" is the King and Country room. The people are friendly, Andy is fascinating, but you HAVE to see the great dioramas made by Gordon Nielsen. This guy is a GENIUS - his abilities as a builder combine with composition to create fantastic scenes. Speaking of scenes, you need to go see the Hudson and Allen room(s). Ken Osen makes the greatest scenic materials and bases! Look up your favorite vendors and manufacturers, but don't forget to wander the rooms looking at all the stuff, new and old.
As mentioned above, take a pen and note pad so you can remember how to get back to some of the places that have stuff you like. Personally, I also make up a "want list" before the show. Otherwise I get so distracted that I forget to find the smaller items until I am back home after the show.
There is the Museum of Science and Industry with the German U-Boat, but if you like 20th Century stuff don't miss the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL, about 30-40min. drive SSW from the toy soldier event. Nice museum plus a good collection of US tanks.
The initial response is feeling overwhelmed, but take your time and enjoy the people and the show experience. Do some room trading, take a rest then go back and do some more. Enjoy the show, it's certainly worth the effort of going!
Gary B.
Places to stay - some people stay at the Hyatt, it's nice. Personally I stay over at the Residence Inn, it's quieter and I like their rooms. My wife likes the IKEA store next door, and going over to the big mall so she has plenty to do also. There are other places nearby, within a half-mile, so with a short walk, one can be right at the show. There are plenty of opportunities for food in the vicinity, both sit down and fast food.
The show is held across two floors and the floor plan can be "bewildering". As mentioned above, grab a map (usually available in the elevator lobby on each floor). These are listed by room number and also by vendor name. Personally I start with certain favorites. The Treefrog Treasures room is always a good place to get a nice welcome and see some of the forum members. George Guerierro from Minutemen always has some neat displays. A "must see" is the King and Country room. The people are friendly, Andy is fascinating, but you HAVE to see the great dioramas made by Gordon Nielsen. This guy is a GENIUS - his abilities as a builder combine with composition to create fantastic scenes. Speaking of scenes, you need to go see the Hudson and Allen room(s). Ken Osen makes the greatest scenic materials and bases! Look up your favorite vendors and manufacturers, but don't forget to wander the rooms looking at all the stuff, new and old.
As mentioned above, take a pen and note pad so you can remember how to get back to some of the places that have stuff you like. Personally, I also make up a "want list" before the show. Otherwise I get so distracted that I forget to find the smaller items until I am back home after the show.
There is the Museum of Science and Industry with the German U-Boat, but if you like 20th Century stuff don't miss the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL, about 30-40min. drive SSW from the toy soldier event. Nice museum plus a good collection of US tanks.
The initial response is feeling overwhelmed, but take your time and enjoy the people and the show experience. Do some room trading, take a rest then go back and do some more. Enjoy the show, it's certainly worth the effort of going!
Gary B.
norman joplin
Private 2
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2008
- Messages
- 114
This is my 22nd year at OTSN show,email me if you have specific questions I am happy to help
info@normanjoplin.com
info@normanjoplin.com