Nov

29

Madrid Pen Show Report

Filed Under Pen Shows 

Written by: Maryann Zucker

Maryann Zucker is owner and operator of PenstopOnline and Empire Writing Instruments, Ltd. They hosted the 2007 NY/NJ Pen Show that occured earlier this year on September 28th through the 30th.

Now that the holiday is done and we are officially back from the Madrid Pen Show and Thanksgiving weekend, I thought that you had waited long enough for this report.

We arrived in Madrid on the morning of the 15th of November and headed for the hotel. The weather was sensational for this time of year and we were getting excited about seeing all of our European friends. Our plan was to check into the hotel and catch a nap before the party in the Tapas bar that evening, but no luck, our first room had to be changed and no sleep was in sight.

Thursday night before the show Alfonso, Julia and Jesus, the show sponsors traditionally hold a hospitality party at this small and very comfortable tapas bar around the corner from the hotel. Everyone who has arrived is welcomed to attend and it is a fun night for all. The food is plentiful, extremely good and the drinks, oh those Sangrias they are delicious.

Below are a couple of shots from the tapas bar and a restaurant we ventured into a couple of nights later.

Images from the Tapas and Restaurant

Now moving on to the Show. On Friday morning at 9:00 am the doors opened to the dealers and the show was about to begin. Dealers were standing around waiting for the doors to open and then immediately setting up their tables. The show would open to the public at 11 am and stay opened until 8:30 p.m. At 11 am, immediately after the doors opened there was a swell of people and the show had officially begun. Needless to say the constant traffic never let up for the entire three days. Between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. the Spaniards are true to their heritage and nothing was happening in the ballroom. Everyone was out for dinner and siesta. What an amazing life to lead, they work hard, party hard, but do enjoy those moments of leisure that they will not easily give up.

From the pictures below you will not need much narration. Enjoy the show and maybe in the future your picture will be in the group. This is a nice show to visit, a great show to do, even with the depressed dollar and a great place to enjoy the specialties of European hospitality.

Images from the Madrid Pen Show

After the show was over and done we remained in Madrid for another two days to enjoy the city. It is an amazing place and on Monday, Kim Sosin, her friend Janet, Moshe Zilibi from Israel and Steve and I went on a day trip to the town of Toledo, just outside of Madrid. What a wonderful place to visit and one day was just not enough time. We all had a great day, good dinner and then headed back to complete our Spain trip.

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