BWI Pen Show 2026
While March was unusually cold, windy and somewhat snowy this year, it was also filled with a weekend of pen fun at the BWI Pen Show.
The crowds felt a little bigger than in past years, but the percentage of actual buyers seemed less. Sure, lots of stickers, inks, stamps, and other types of ephemera were flying off the shelves, but larger ticket items were not being purchased as much. And I have started to notice a trend towards pen shows being filled with more and more “stationary” fans, but not necessarily “pen community” members. I have no concrete evidence of this, but it’s an overall feeling I have had for a while now.
One thing that was certainly different this year – one of the owner’s of Kanilea Pen Co was absent! Due to an emergency with their puppy sitter, Mrs. Kanilea stayed home with the pup, which meant the entire show was at the mercy of Mr. Kanilea! Thankfully, he only wandered off a few times, and we had a fairly successful weekend. For the record, I am not responsible for his diet when Mrs. K isn’t there!
Unfortunately, on Friday of the show, I was informed that a very close friend of mine – more brother than stranger – had died due to injuries he had sustained in a motorcycle accident the day before. To say I was broken doesn’t sum it up – I was numb. Brother Spud was one of the first members of my motorcycle club from an outside chapter to welcome me in and maintain a permanent friendship throughout the years, and I will miss him to the day I die. Of course, I put on a smile and got through the weekend for the sake of the company, but it skewed my experience and I am sure caused my tolerance for BS and idle chit chat to be less than stellar. Hopefully, I didn’t snap at anyone too harshly.
I miss you, Spud. Rest in Peace, Brother.
Next up is the Chicago Pen Show in May – where we are releasing a BEAUTIFUL new model!!
Remember to always Spin the Compass.
