What's so great about the Chicago show? (2 Viewers)

Kurt

Kurt

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The Westcoaster is the only show that I've been able to attend. Why do people say the Chicago show is the best? I hear it's bigger, but how? No matter what show you attend, aren't you going to see everything that's available if not from the manufacturers themselves, from the dealers. If I'm only interested in K&C, Figarti and the St. Petersburg Collection am I really missing out on anything by not attending the Chicago show?
 
Chicago is the best Toy Soldier Show I've ever been to, for a bunch of reasons:

First of all, the level and quality of the room trading is unparalleled. I have never gone to the Chicago Show and failed to find something old or unusual I needed for my collection.

Additionally, the attendees are a who's who of the Hobby. Andy, Gordon and Helen from K&C, the Wang's and the Figarti Team, John Jenkins, the Nevilles of K&C, UK, the Reuss' of Treefrog Treasures, the Britains team, Gerard Prime from Frontline, Richard Conte of Conte Collectibles, Thor from Aeroart/St. Petersburg, in short, just about every major manufacturer, distributor and dealer in the hobby.

There are unbelievable diorama displays, opportunities to meet and bend the ear of just about everyone you could want to in the hobby, luncheons and dinners with unique giveaways, and inside information about future releases.
 
I agree with what Louis mention but especially the people who attend it. You meet so many people and sometimes its hard to keep track of everybody's name.
 
It's not only that but the people you don't get to see on a regular basis like Louis and Larry (even though we're in the NY area), Hans, Tim Tyler, Bill Sager, Clive Gande, Warbuff (don't want to fracture his last name), Shannon, Gary from St. Louis and on and on it goes. It's not what you can buy but the people. You can get product anywhere, people are irreplaceable. Sometime, we all lose sight of that.
 
I have been to two London shows. They were good. I met the Nevilles and Lyn Kenwood. However I did not know any other collectors. This forum has changed that. Now if I were to go toe one of teh big shows, it would be great to meet people I have met on the forum.
Regards
Damian
 
Amen to that, brother-you really do need to get to a show, any show, and meet your fellow collectors, face to face.

I must say that in my experience, the vast number of people we deal with, 99.99%, are absolutely wonderful people, many colorful characters, many generous people, who give of their time, and even of their treasure, because that's the way the hobby is.

And even that .01% is really just to cover all bases, because after all, it's a fallen world, and anyone can have an off day. The dealer who growls at you, at his table at a show, because you're haggling over a price, may just have been told that his granddaughter is sick. Walk a mile in his moccasins, etc, etc.

Over all, collecting toy soldiers and military miniatures is a great hobby, for me, right there with scale modeling, which has much overlap with the figures.

You can't beat it.

Prost!
Bradley
 
This will be my 17th consecutive year of attending OTSN, the first dozen years were for buying, but the last seven or so is meeting up with all the friends you make by attending previous shows and especially the people from Treefrogs.
Also fantastic to talk face to face with the owners of these companies. Andy, Rick, and many others, all could not be nicer.
Gary
 
gk5717 said:
This will be my 17th consecutive year of attending OTSN, the first dozen years were for buying, but the last seven or so is meeting up with all the friends you make by attending previous shows and especially the people from Treefrogs.
Also fantastic to talk face to face with the owners of these companies. Andy, Rick, and many others, all could not be nicer.
Gary
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If your looking for retired items and you can't thats the place to go.
 
Hi Kurt,
you're right. With today's opportunities on the internet you can most likely get anything you are looking for without leaving your home or without having to visit a specific show.
The westcoaster is probably among the top 5 for sure along with the London Show as far as contributors are concerned.
What makes the Chicago Show special is the "simple" mass of collectors, dealers, manufacturers that are out there.
Can't add much more details than those that have been mentioned in previous replies already. So far I have visited the show twice and this year will be my third time. The first two times I was walking around, enjoying 4 days of nothing but Toy Soldiers and it was good.
This year I am looking forward to meet some people that we talk to here on the forum.
Earlier this year in spring I had the pleasure to meet John (Leadmen) at the Indianapolis Show and it was fun.
In Chicago you are most likely to be able to meet anybody in the business, like Louis said, it is simply a "who is who" of the worldwide Toy Soldier Hobby.
Join it, you won't be dissapointed.
Konrad
 
It is great! The level of stuff there, the people, the sheer number of dealers. I mean we are really close to Chicago. They have the best beef goodies too! I mean there is White Castle, Buona Beef! Yum, Yum! Pastrami dogs to die for!
Did I mention all of the people I got to meet last year?. Yippeeeeeee:rolleyes:
 
You had to mention White Castle!

We have a nock-off down here called Kristal.......its not even close!

Does this tell you I'm a White Castle fan?:D


Njja
 

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Gee, nobody mentioned that it's also the greatest city in the world. Of course my opinion may be just a wee bit biased.
 
KV you travel from the West Coast and White Castle is on your agenda!
That,s sick!!! Oh, by the way the most belly bombers I ever ate was 12, but that was after drinking beer all day.
Gary
 
gk5717 said:
KV you travel from the West Coast and White Castle is on your agenda!
That,s sick!!! Oh, by the way the most belly bombers I ever ate was 12, but that was after drinking beer all day.
Gary
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Love em going in, not so much an hour later!:p:D
 
If you Eastcoast guys travel west my best burger recommendation is In-and-Out. Anytime I go to Cally i make a stop (AZ. too!!)
Ray
 
nmrocks said:
If you Eastcoast guys travel west my best burger recommendation is In-and-Out. Anytime I go to Cally i make a stop (AZ. too!!)
Ray
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Oh dude, In and Out Burger is the bomb. Have to go for Animal Style or The Flying Dutchman. There is no better drunk food.

Take Care
 
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