The London Writing Equipment Show is over for another year and WES has delivered another highly successful event.
Held at the traditional venue of Kensington Town Hall it attracted dealers from nine different countries so it truly was an international event. There were more tables than ever and enough pens to make the most ardent collector go weak at the knees. Contemporary pen users and collectors were well catered for with all of the major UK distributors being present.
Ann and I were busy all day although revenues were down on last year but that hardly
seemed to matter as it was great meeting up with customers old and new, some friends
were missed such as Jean-
Planning has already started for the 2009 show and I'll keep you posted as usual when I know more.
2009 is going to be a record year for the number of pen/writing equipment shows in the UK, there are four! Imagine that FOUR shows in one year!
The year starts with a brand new show THE SOUTH WEST PEN SHOW, this is being organised by myself and Jeremy Collingridge and follows the same formula as the Midland show held this summer. The show takes place in February at the Bristol Hilton situated just off the M5/M4 motorways.
Next we have the Northern Pen Show in April, this is my favourite show. Alan and his crew do a great organising job and the whole atmosphere is laid back and friendly – I love it!
In June we have the Midland Pen Show held in my beautiful home town of Lichfield. Again this event is organised by Jeremy and myself and follows on from the success of last years show. We hope to have a series of four of these small provincial shows up and running by 2010 so watch out for more news.
Finally we are back to were we started with the London Writing Equipment Show taking place in October.
All in all it looks as though 2009 is going to be quite an eventful year and Ann and I look forward to saying hello to you again.
