The Pen Show
Scavenger Hunt
A guided tour of the show floor — disguised as a game. Follow the clues, meet the dealers, discover pens you’d otherwise walk right past, and earn a few prizes along the way. Now in two editions.
Four Steps, One Show Floor
Anyone can play — first-time attendees, longtime collectors, kids brought along by a parent. The format is the same; only the clues change.
Pick Up a Card
Grab a scavenger hunt “passport” from the PCA table when you arrive at the show. It’s free.
Hunt the Clues
Each passport lists pens, makers, or details to find at exhibitor tables across the show floor.
Talk to Dealers
Dealers are in on it. They’ll initial your passport when you find what they’ve got — and probably tell you a story along the way.
Turn It In
Bring your completed passport back to the PCA table. Finishers are eligible for prizes drawn at the end of the show.
Kids’ Hunt & Adult Hunt
Same format. Different clues. Pick the one that fits — or do both.
The Original Hunt
The kids’ scavenger hunt has been part of PCA pen shows for years. It introduces younger attendees to the variety of pens on display and gives them a low-pressure way to meet the dealers and exhibitors who keep the hobby alive.
The clues are written for kids: visual, approachable, no jargon required. Parents are welcome to play along.
The Updated Hunt
An updated version for adults debuted at this year’s St. Louis Pen Show. Same idea, harder clues — designed to introduce newer collectors to specific makers, eras, and design details that reward a closer look.
It’s also surprisingly competitive. Even seasoned collectors leave the table with one or two pens they’d never have stopped to examine otherwise.
The Hunt Comes to a Show Near You
The PCA scavenger hunt runs at most major pen shows on the calendar. Passports are available at the PCA table at each event — usually near the entrance or the registration desk. If you don’t see one, ask a board member.
Bring the Hunt to Your Show
If you organize a pen show and want to add a scavenger hunt to the program, PCA can help. We’ll work with you to:
- Customize clues for your specific exhibitor lineup
- Brief participating dealers on how it works
- Provide PCA-branded materials and prizes
- Send a volunteer coordinator if needed
The hunt is free to host. The only ask is that participation stays open to anyone attending the show.
What You Provide
A small table or share of an existing PCA presence. A list of confirmed exhibitors at least 30 days before the show. One contact person on your team for coordination.
What PCA Provides
Custom-printed passports. Volunteer support. Coordination with dealers. Prize fulfillment. Roughly 4–6 weeks of lead time is ideal — though the hunt has been deployed faster than that more than once.
Looking for the Kids’ Workshop?
The scavenger hunt is one of two PCA programs you’ll find at major pen shows. The other is Pens for Kids® — free fountain pen workshops for school-aged kids, also available at schools and libraries.
Learn About Pens for Kids® →