West Coaster Vs Chicago (1 Viewer)

[MCKENNA77]

Hey everybody

I attended my first toy soldier show just last weekend at the West Coaster. In my opinion it was a pretty cool event. I wish I could have seen more dioramas or displays set up by dealers as opposed to most dealers just laying it all out in random order on a table(sorry to complain-just my opinion). Here is my question though, is the Chicago show that much better? Mind you Ive never been to it so I have no idea. Most people at the West Coaster talked about how the Chicago show is like the "Mecca" of toy soldier shows and that the number of dealers there makes the West Coaster look like an ant farm. Is this really the case? Can anybody who has been to both provide me some feedback. Would just like to know before I spend cash on a plane ticket getting there.

Thanks and have a good day

MCKENNA

 

[Steven Chong]

Hey everybody

I attended my first toy soldier show just last weekend at the West Coaster. In my opinion it was a pretty cool event. I wish I could have seen more dioramas or displays set up by dealers as opposed to most dealers just laying it all out in random order on a table(sorry to complain-just my opinion). Here is my question though, is the Chicago show that much better? Mind you Ive never been to it so I have no idea. Most people at the West Coaster talked about how the Chicago show is like the "Mecca" of toy soldier shows and that the number of dealers there makes the West Coaster look like an ant farm. Is this really the case? Can anybody who has been to both provide me some feedback. Would just like to know before I spend cash on a plane ticket getting there.

Thanks and have a good day

MCKENNA

Dear McKenna,

I have been going to both shows for years and would highly recommend making reservations right now for the Chicago Show. The Grand Hyatt Woodfield usually is fully booked on the weekend of the Chicago show. If you walked the rooms at the West Coaster, there were two floors with about 30 dealers plus Britains, Figarti and K&C. At the Chicago Show, there are more than 200 dealers and manufacturers displaying in rooms on two floors (Grand Hyatt only has 5 floors). During the actual show on Sunday, the West Coaster has about 70 dealers and manufacturers while Chicago has close to 300. Chicago is considered the major toy soldier show in the U.S., and many foreign dealers come to this show. Many manufacturers wait for Chicago to make major announcements.

The only negative is the sheer size of Chicago. The Grand Hyatt has a very unusual configuration for a hotel (basically four squares that join at a central elevator lobby and at the end of hallways for adjacent squares), and I have seen people wandering around with no idea where they are and whether they had walked that particular hallway. Many people have a hard time finding a room they visited earlier without a map. There are so many dealers at Chicago that they use both levels of the hotels main ball rooms and many adjoining rooms. The worst is the main ballroom. Unlike the West Coaster with the wide aisles, the aisles at the Chicago show are so close that if someone stops and bends over to look at a dealer display, the aisle is blocked.

It is also more hectic at Chicago. On Thursday night at the West Coaster, I was able to talk to Andy for three hours without interruption. At Chicago, someone was knocking on the door every 5 minutes.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to ask.

 

[jazzeum]

I guess it's that time to start making reservations.

 

[maddadicus]

My son now works there for the Feds. Guess when I am visiting him this year......? DAD Michael

 

[jrsteel]

Dear McKenna,

I have been going to both shows for years and would highly recommend making reservations right now for the Chicago Show. The Grand Hyatt Woodfield usually is fully booked on the weekend of the Chicago show. If you walked the rooms at the West Coaster, there were two floors with about 30 dealers plus Britains, Figarti and K&C. At the Chicago Show, there are more than 200 dealers and manufacturers displaying in rooms on two floors (Grand Hyatt only has 5 floors). During the actual show on Sunday, the West Coaster has about 70 dealers and manufacturers while Chicago has close to 300. Chicago is considered the major toy soldier show in the U.S., and many foreign dealers come to this show. Many manufacturers wait for Chicago to make major announcements.

The only negative is the sheer size of Chicago. The Grand Hyatt has a very unusual configuration for a hotel (basically four squares that join at a central elevator lobby and at the end of hallways for adjacent squares), and I have seen people wandering around with no idea where they are and whether they had walked that particular hallway. Many people have a hard time finding a room they visited earlier without a map. There are so many dealers at Chicago that they use both levels of the hotels main ball rooms and many adjoining rooms. The worst is the main ballroom. Unlike the West Coaster with the wide aisles, the aisles at the Chicago show are so close that if someone stops and bends over to look at a dealer display, the aisle is blocked.

It is also more hectic at Chicago. On Thursday night at the West Coaster, I was able to talk to Andy for three hours without interruption. At Chicago, someone was knocking on the door every 5 minutes.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to ask.

Steven are there many dealers selling antique soldiers at the Chicago show?

 

[desk11desk12]

MCKENNA,

Go, you'll have a blast! The Westcoaster has its own personality that I love but Chicago is larger and you won't be dissapointed.

Carlos

 

[Steven Chong]

Steven are there many dealers selling antique soldiers at the Chicago show?

What type of antique soldiers? Old Britains, Old composition, Old Heyde, Dimestore, original plastic Marx? There is something for everyone.

 

[jazzeum]

Dealers? You got dealers coming out of the woodwork. I know some people who leave before the actual show starts because they've spent all their money. I missed last year (commitments) but I can't wait until September.

 

[Louis Badolato]

How about the collectors? I have made so many good friends at the Chicago Show. It is the best place to meet your fellow collectors, find some old or unusual pieces, as well as see all the newest and most exciting items from just about every Toy Soldier company in the world. I go to Chicago every year, co-host the NY Symposium, and fully intend to make the Neville's wonderful London Show annually as well. I think Chicago, London and either or both of the Westcoaster/Symposium are must do events for real toy soldier enthusiasts.

 

[kilted vampire]

I have heard that Chicago is Huge! I will probably go to this as well. Maybe working it . The W.C. had s great # of dealers there , more than last year. There were so many I did not go to Disneyland as planned. I had a list of dealers and tried to check them all of with a few exceptions. The list was incomplete however and I had to write them in. There were bins and boxes of antique toy soldiers from some dealers. I can hardly wait for Chicago.

Really had fun and only went a little over budget. Not feeling well now . Going beddy bye.

 

[MCKENNA77]

Thank you everyone for the information provided. I'm for sure going to be there to check it out. I would like to meet some fellow forum members so I can put a face to a name. So if you happen to spot me(cant miss me, 6'5", red hair) I'll buy ya a beer.

Take Care and see you there

MCKENNA