For over 40 years, the big question among collectors in September was, “Are you going to Chicago?” A staple of the toy soldier hobby, a new producer has stepped forwad to continue the tradition.
Matt Murphy of The Hobby Bunker retail toy soldier store fame has stepped up many times to preserve the hobby and help it grow. Jan and Roger Garfield recently canceled the old OTS show due to difficulties with the venue but are now assisting Matt with assets of the show.
“Matt not only secured the same date that we had targeted for the 2023 Show, but also found a hotel venue only a mile or so from where we held our Show for 40 years,” shared Jan.
Matt’s Chicagoland Toy Soldier Show will be held on Sunday, 24 September 2023 at the Schaumburg Marriott, 50 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg. “Matt also plans to have pre-show room trading in true Chicago style,” said Roger.
Jan and Roger agree that Matt is the best candidate to carry on the Chicago toy soldier show tradition started by the original OTSN partners 42 years ago.
“Matt is very experienced in the toy soldier business and has run toy soldier shows of this type as owner/promoter of the West Coast Toy Soldier Show in California and his local Boston-area North East Toy Soldier Show.”
Q: Congratulations on your new Chicagoland Show, Matt. Where will it be?
Matt Murphy: Location-wise, the new show is just across the Woodfield Mall, south of the old Hyatt Regency, at the Schaumburg Mariott, 50 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg. “It’s a tower building, and we have blocked out 4 or 5 floors, probably the 4th through 8th floors. They have direct access up and down to all the rooms.”
Q: We heard the old Hyatt Regency was not available?
Matt Murphy: “I did try to book the Hyatt, but the rooms were already booked. That was one of the main problems for Roger and Jan before me, also.” Jan adds, “It is a huge undertaking especially within this timeframe. Matt deserves the thanks and support of the hobby.”
Q: Details, please!
Matt Murphy: “The show is September 24th (as before). Rooms are blocked Monday through Monday (18th - 25th) on four floors for room trading; they are pot-luck, meaning there isn’t really a choice of what room you’ll be in. There are many ‘connecting rooms’ and King rooms. The hotel will work with us getting a room layout and map for the room trading, it will be much easier to navigate than the old venue.”
Toy shows are important, especially for the Chicago area, one of the largest concentrations of toy soldier collectors in the US. Get out and relax, have fun, add to your collections or sell unneeded stuff.
At shows, playsets show up that no one has seen before. With so many dealers and collectors attending, once again bargains will be found and deals will be made. Meals will be shared, drinks drunk, and lots of core interest information and fraternity. Plus it’s a new quality venue to explore, so do plan on attending!
Special Room rates apply at $129/night (down from $180 -190) but, rooms are limited. Rooms have free Internet and there’s indoor and outdoor pools, restaurant, bar.
Get your reservations for the Chicagoland Toy Soldier Show: BOOK NOW
Chicagoland Toy Soldier Show
September 24, 2023
Chicago Marriott Schaumburg
50 N. Martingale Rd, Schaumburg, IL
(847) 240-0100
Start Date: Monday, September 18, 2023 End Date: Monday, September 25, 2023
Last Day to Book: Monday, August 28, 2023 Special group rate: • 129 USD per night
Sponsor: Hobby Bunker, Inc.
103 Albion St
Wakefield, MA 01880
hobbybunker.com
(781)321-8855
matt@hobbybunker.com