EVENT VISIT: CONID ANTWERPPEN & MORE

Last week I was invited to the Conid Antwerppen & More event (more specifically the exposition opening on friday evening). An invite to an exposition of a Belgian pen brand? Heck yea! So of course I brought my camera along to provide some coverage of the event! The Antwerppen & More event was officially held saturday 21st, but the exposition remains open until august 17th. The Conid Website has all the information you need if you would like to visit.

In the past few years, Conid used to organize an 'open factory' day once a year (read my coverage of a couple years back). However this year, with the release of the new AntwerpPen (read my review of this new pen collection here), they decided to do something different, and the Antwerppen & More event was born.

Production steps of the Conid Antwerppen

Simply put, the Antwerppen & More event is a small exhibition, held in the heart of Antwerp. All production pens are presented, including earlier (and sold-out) limited editions like the stunning 'In Flanders Fields' or Cappucino fountain pens #drool.

Conid Gentleman's pen

The Conid Kingsize Monarch, in collaboration with Fontoplumo

Probably the most incredible pen on display, is the collaboration between Conid and AP Limited Editions (If you're into really exclusive pens, this brand might be worth a look!), incorporating a modern Conid filling system into a handmade urushi and Maki-E fountain pen! 

A collaborative project between AP Limited Editions and Conid

But on top of that, the museum also showcased a fantastic selection of prototypes, made by Francis Goosens ('Fountainbel', the inventor of the Bulkfiller filling system). These one-offs in various exciting materials (did someone say ARCO!?!) were mouthwatering to gaze upon, yet unfortunately not for sale (at least for now...). 

Wait... is that carbon fiber???

Insane Arco stuff...

More pictures of Arco, just because

Conid presented three host speakers. Dennis Leemans, Patrick Andersen and Jan van den Nieuwenhuijzen each told a story of how they and/or their businesses tie in with Antwerp and the values behind Conid. If one thing, Conid is VERY proud of their roots, and with good reason of course.

Additionally, a brand new pen was announced: the Cavens pen. Named after Jozef Cavens, an ex-teacher, this pen honors his work in elementary school, where he taught over 800 children to read and write. Jozef also collected and exchanged writing excercise books from his students and students from all over the world. With a collection of almost 100 books, he cataloged and spread knowledge about handwriting with other teachers. The Cavens pen is a Slimline pen made from matte black Juma 'Snakeskin' resin, topped off with a red resin band below the cap finial and black titanium trims.  

The new Conid Cavens pen Slimline

Mr. Cavens picking a winner for the raffle held during the event

Werner Helsen made a brief appearance too, even though it was just to return someone's lost phone. Even though he is the boss-man, Werner is delightfully selfless and enjoys putting his team and the products he makes, first! 

Oh, and the Conid Kingsize CAISO (cap activated ink shut-off) makes its return! #excite!

Vigorous testing going on

What a great evening! Despite the blazing heat, I had a great time meeting friends -old and new-, and drooling at beautiful pens of course! Big thanks to Conid for inviting me.

Note: This post does not contain affiliate links. I was not asked, sponsored or compensated to write this post.