Rookie Question- how does this show work? (1 Viewer)

[Currahee Chris]

I am curious as to how this show works- I have been to the website and it looks like normal joes like myself can only attend on Sunday??? Is that correct? I am under the impression that this is a 4-5 day event but it seems like members of the general public can only go there on Sunday. I can't justify going all the way to the Windy City for one day.

Also, I have noticed that various companies have "rooms" - like Treefrog does- I am assuming that there are various "conference" sized rooms there and then some of the companies and/ or vendors have additional displays or what not set up in rooms there? Is this correct??

If anyone can offer a rookie some advice, I'd appreciate it.

STANDS ALONE!!
CC

 

[eborris]

If we are talking OTSN, you can show up as early as Wednesday and just walk the halls of 4th and 5th floors, if you see an open door walk in and check out their stuff, have a conversation or whatever.Most rooms will have signs up outside their rooms tellin who they are and what they have. It's good times.

 

[ucla1967]

The official show is always on Sunday, but room trading usually starts on Wednesday or Thursday. The rooms in question are regular hotel rooms that are grouped together (sort of) on two floors so that collectors can go from room to room. The West Coaster also operates this way.

 

[gk5717]

As stated before, the room trading, that is the days prior to the actual show are what makes this so great. One bit of advice. The hallways of the Hyatt are like one giant maze.
Make sure to WRITE, your favorite dealer or persons room number down as you will play hell trying to find it again.
Same applies if you see something in a room that you might want and tell yourself I,ll check back later, I just about guarantee if you don,t write the room number down, you won,t find it.
Don,t want to make this seem to complicated, but as a soldier collector this will be like walking thru the purly gates and into toy soldier heaven.
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

I hope you have a hotel reservation because I'm sure all rooms are probably sold out. I made my reservations back in March. They also have a map showing the location of each room, which you can check off as you go to each room. Otherwise, like Gary (and he's a pro at this) says, you can get lost.

 

[Currahee Chris]

I hope you have a hotel reservation because I'm sure all rooms are probably sold out. I made my reservations back in March. They also have a map showing the location of each room, which you can check off as you go to each room. Otherwise, like Gary (and he's a pro at this) says, you can get lost.

C'mon now Brad- I was in a light infantry battalion- I got a tent, 4 stakes and a flashlight and I am good to go.

Actually, I was at some naval base in Wisconsin back in July where the squids go through basic training- it was only like 45 minutes or so from Chicago center. I may head back up there and take a reservation in their guest barracks. My wife enjoyed it as well as we weren't too far from the Jelly Belly factory.

Thanks for all the pre show intel!! Good looking out for the new guy

CC

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Chris,
I'm pulling this thread out of the vaults but it will give you a detailed description of the OTSN experience:
http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88&highlight=chicago
Hope to see you there!

 

[Currahee Chris]

Thank you Shannon!!

I am a bit worried now that I hear the "Biggest mall in the States" is close by- its bad enough I would be buying but my wife is a power shopper like no other!!! (She spent my ENTIRE paycheck in 8 hours when I took her to a conference at Tyson's Corner in Virginia!!)

I have also read/ heard that this is a family friendly event. Is it REALLY?? If I go, I would of course drag the little Currahees with me- the youngest being Andrew at 2. I am an experienced father with handling shows and navigating with my kids but am just curious if it would be big enough for me to carry him in my babypack (backpack designed for young kids) or perhaps in his stroller??

 

[jazzeum]

One thing that nobody has talked about is the subject that makes dealers happy...and that's money. How much should you bring? It's probably best to set a limit on how much you want to spend. Some people bring around $1,000, some $2,000. It all depends on you. There is a cash machine in the hotel and one across the street (assuming it's still there). At some point, the one in the hotel ran out so I had to go across the street.

 

[ucla1967]

Thank you Shannon!!

I am a bit worried now that I hear the "Biggest mall in the States" is close by- its bad enough I would be buying but my wife is a power shopper like no other!!! (She spent my ENTIRE paycheck in 8 hours when I took her to a conference at Tyson's Corner in Virginia!!)

I have also read/ heard that this is a family friendly event. Is it REALLY?? If I go, I would of course drag the little Currahees with me- the youngest being Andrew at 2. I am an experienced father with handling shows and navigating with my kids but am just curious if it would be big enough for me to carry him in my babypack (backpack designed for young kids) or perhaps in his stroller??

Who ever said it was a family event lied. Little children and expensive metal toy soldiers displayed on beds and tables where little hands can grab them don't mix. Of course, I have seen well behaved children and those who were not. In any case, I am not sure how many little kids can endure hours of walking in and out of rooms without getting totally bored and fussy.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Who ever said it was a family event lied. Little children and expensive metal toy soldiers displayed on beds and tables where little hands can grab them don't mix. Of course, I have seen well behaved children and those who were not. In any case, I am not sure how many little kids can endure hours of walking in and out of rooms without getting totally bored and fussy.

Very Very good points indeed. My kids are very well behaved but my littlest one does grab and some of my figs can unfortunately attest to that fact

Yeah, it's probably not going to happen this year or probably any ones in the future coming up just because of those variables plus work- I am stretched so thin you might be able to see through me!!

Thanks again fellas!!
CC

 

[OldCelt]

Very Very good points indeed. My kids are very well behaved but my littlest one does grab and some of my figs can unfortunately attest to that fact

Yeah, it's probably not going to happen this year or probably any ones in the future coming up just because of those variables plus work- I am stretched so thin you might be able to see through me!!

Thanks again fellas!!
CC

Chris.Hope it works out for you soon.The Hotel has an Avis rental car service in the lobby. Mom can take the kids any where, like Longgrove an eighteenth cent. farm village about 10 mile north for a picnic. Or into the city to the art museum, the lake side,,etc..
O.C.

 

[ucla1967]

That was Old Celt's politically correct way of saying, "Don't bring them."

 

[jazzeum]

I'll be candid: little kids and shows don't mix; there are just too many bad things that can happen. There's reason manufacturers put 14 as the cut off age on soldier boxes.