Who is going to Chicago? (1 Viewer)

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

I have just completed making reservations to attend the OTSN 2006 show in Chicago. I am interested in knowing who else might be planning on attending. It might be nice to meet face-to-face some of the folks who participate on this forum. At any rate, I AM GOING TO CHICAGO!!!!!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Warrior]

I'll be there for sure, same rooms as the past eight years, 5340 and 5342, which oddly enough are Andy's old rooms from when he used to sell product at the show. I'll be open for business at 6:00pm on Wednesday as usual.....................

George "Warrior" Guerriero
Minutemen Toy Soldiers

 

[Leadmen]

I will be there arriving Friday. Made reservations at last years show for this year. Leadmen

 

[Showman]

I will be attending this year, after a two years off. I will be in Indianapolis, IN for a few days prior. How far of a drive to Chicago? Anyone have an idea? Thanks Greg

 

[Leadmen]

Probably about 4 hours but with construction at Indiana/ Ill. border it could take longer. Tollway also has coonstruction (294). Try to avoid any rush hour traffic. Leadmen

 

[binder001]

I'm hopeful to be able to get there this year. I know that the room trading and fellowship is usually before the actual "show". Is the actual show event on Saturday or Sunday? I'm trying to look at travel and time-off needs.

Gary

 

[wadepat]

Gary,

The actual show occurs on Sunday, September 24. I believe the show area opens around 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. and it closes sharply at 3:00 p.m. Within a very short time after the official closing time, the dealers are packed up and out of the show area.

The real action occurs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with all the in-room trading. Two entire floors of the hotel (4th and 5th floors) are totally devoted to sales, trading, etc. Almost all the major dealers are represented and everything you might want, and more, can usually be found there. If at all possible, plan to be available for the 3 days preceding the actual show on Sunday.

The Sunday event is an actual mad house. The dealers (some of whom only arrive for the Sunday event) are "crammed" into several meeting rooms and a large ballroom. Seeing everything that is available on Sunday is almost impossible. Again, your best bet is to be sure and be available for the in-room trading days. But, save some money for Sunday as you will see a few things on Sunday that you did not see earlier.

If you have never attended this event, be advised that you will want to have some spending money available. There are soooo many temptations that you will want to have some money to spend, but be careful, it is easy to spend more than you intend.

At any rate, I hope you can arrange to attend the event. You will have the time of your life!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[jazzeum]

I'm going to have to pass this year. I have a Law Department conference that starts the following Monday and plus we're putting in a new kitchen. So that's that.

The actual show is Sunday. For you K & Cers hoping to find rare items, I advise you to get there Thursday at the latest.

 

[desk11desk12]

Brad is right,

Try to get there by Thursday. I'll be there by Wednesday afternoon.

Carlos

 

[Steven Chong]

I will be arriving very early on Thursday morning.

 

[Bill Moore]

I will be attending the show,checking in Thursday morning right down the hall from Andy`s room. I hope to be able to offer a shuttle to my place on Friday,or Saturday to any interested parties.

 

[desk11desk12]

Hey Bill:

I made it to the Chicago show last year for the first time and it was terrific. I remember meeting you and admiring a small sample size of your dioramas in the hotel room. I’m sorry I didn’t take you up on your offer and join the rest of the guys being shuttled to your home nearby to see the rest of your displays.

I’m planning to make some time to see them this year; anyway can you post some pictures of your home dioramas to maybe entice more collectors to take advantage of your offer this year?

Carlos

 

[gk5717]

I,ll be there Thursday afternoon. This will be my 16th consecutive year.
If you collect soldiers this is the EVENT of the year.
In my opinion, the room trading on Thur., Fri., and Sat. is the absolute best part of the show. Many years I don,t even stay for the show, but that is because come Sunday I,m flat broke.
Looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting board members.
Gary

 

[sceic2]

I just finished making my reservations and I will be there around noon on Wednesday. I am looking forward to meeting you guys and dolls.

I don't know what excites me more, new toy soldiers or meeting forum members and dealers. What am I crazy, it's all about the toys. You guys are just the gravy, good gravy, but gravy never-the-less.

 

[Warrior]

Carlos and Mike, if you guys are getting there Wednesday, I should put both of you to work helping me set up my rooms...........lol...........just kidding; looks like you two get first crack at all the good stuff.

I just secured a large Arnhem collection including character figures, the bren gun carrier and the howitzer, along with several sets of airborne in action. Since I've got only three shows between now and OTSN, chances are pretty good I will still have most of the stuff.

I am currently planning out my displays for the rooms; I leave for the show 90 days from today, so there's no time like the present............

 

[Bill Moore]

Hey Bill:

I made it to the Chicago show last year for the first time and it was terrific. I remember meeting you and admiring a small sample size of your dioramas in the hotel room. I’m sorry I didn’t take you up on your offer and join the rest of the guys being shuttled to your home nearby to see the rest of your displays.

I’m planning to make some time to see them this year; anyway can you post some pictures of your home dioramas to maybe entice more collectors to take advantage of your offer this year?

Carlos

Carlos! My Achilles Heel on this hobby is an advanced computer to me is four beads on a wire,plus i take pictures ,but don`t know how to post them. Between now and the show i`ll try to get my computer Guru to help me out.

 

[Peter Reuss]

The Treefroggers will be arriving in Chicago on Thursday afternoon, so we hope to be set up by Thursday evening.

We will be travelling with a gaggle of folk from Argentina! The Beau Geste and Honour Bound crew will be coming in full force (after a mini-Minnesota tour).

I can't wait!

Pete

 

[Leadmen]

Now all this Chicago talk is getting me "fired up". Maybe I should get there a week early and camp out in a lawnchair like they do for rock concerts.I better start building up my stash-- return pop bottles like Seinfield's Kramer and sell off my wife's antiques and personal items. Who needs a toaster? Leadmen

 

[sceic2]

Yah, Right. Now we have to race to be the first one there. Sort-of-like the Great Land Rush in Oklahoma. Everybody line up at the hotel front desk and race to there first dealer purchase, which of course they will have already scouted out and even had some ringers planted in various locations throughout the hotel.

Warrior, you just might be getting some help. I don't mind.

This event sounds like a lot of fun to be had by all.

It sure will be great to actually see peoples expressions and hear the inflections in their voices as we communicate. Plus, the beer in Chicago is just as good as the beer anywhere else in the world.

 

[Warrior]

Michael,
OTSN is more than a toy soldier show, it is an EVENT not to be missed. I'm so fired up on the way out, I usually drive strait through from Boston, all 18 hours of it. The first time I attended, I was overwhelmed for a day or so, but once I figured out the lay of the land, I was fine.

I have met a lot of great people, customers, manufacturers and dealers alike, who all share a passion for this great hobby of ours. Not only do you get to see all the newest releases and meet the dealers and fellow collectors in person, you get to meet all the manfucturers, see what is in the works from them and talk to them face to face.

One of the many highlights of the show for me is when Andy stops by my rooms to view my displays and then invites me down to his room to show me all the prototypes he brings of upcoming releases. It's Christmas Eve three months early.........