View Full Version : O/T The Texas Show - Sports Card & Memorabilia show - Frisco TX, Apr. 26,27,28, 2019
Hey Guys and Girls
A friend of mine, Kyle Robertson of Dallas Card Show fame, and I are discussing and looking into doing a larger "3 day" North Texas baseball card show. We are considering the 3rd weekend in April 2019 for the first one and maybe 1-2 more per year. Does anyone know of any big situations around that time frame which could hinder it? Our goal is to have 150 +/- tables along with autograph guests and many AH's set up, who don't usually come to this neck of the country. It seems North Texas hasn't had any larger shows in quite some time. Thoughts on the subject are appreciated especially concerning the time frame.
**updated title to reflect new information 1/17/19 and new info in post 28
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x2drich2000
12-23-2018, 10:03 AM
Leon, no real thoughts, but I do wish you luck and hope you are able to get the show off the ground. I'm sure you already have, but if not, I'd suggest reaching out to Joe Drelich who does the Philly Show to see if he has any suggestions. Also don't forget REA is usually at the end of April/beginning May time frame, so there Spring auction may be full swing at that time.
DJ
brass_rat
12-23-2018, 10:12 AM
Third weekend in April 2019 is Easter weekend.
Second weekend in April 2019 is The Masters. Baseball is awesome, but The Masters is right up there. :D
Hey DJ
Already have spoken, more than once, with REA, Joe D., and many, many more. This hasn't been a split second thought on doing the show. It seems this area is a bit under represented in larger shows with some national presence. And Kyle has been successfully doing local card shows for a few years now, which I have set up at many times. He and I live about 4-5 miles apart which also makes executive meetings very easy. :)
And thanks for the feedback Brass Rat. There is probably a show stopper for every weekend in the year, so in that respect, we just want to collect as much info as we can and make a decision based on that. Easter and the Masters have to be considered, for sure.
No contracts have been signed...
Leon, no real thoughts, but I do wish you luck and hope you are able to get the show off the ground. I'm sure you already have, but if not, I'd suggest reaching out to Joe Drelich who does the Philly Show to see if he has any suggestions. Also don't forget REA is usually at the end of April/beginning May time frame, so there Spring auction may be full swing at that time.
DJ
vintagebaseballcardguy
12-23-2018, 11:09 AM
Leon, depending on what is happening with me then, I would be excited to make the trip from Arkansas! There aren't many shows in my neck of the woods.
Rich Klein
12-23-2018, 12:57 PM
Leon:
The person who noted the show is Easter/Good Friday weekend is right. That has always been a terrible weekend for shows. Kyle currently is the 3rd Saturday of the month in Frisco and since that is the day in between, that is the best option for that weekend.
If I were doing April, I'd run either the 1st weekend or the final weekend of the month. The 2nd weekend is close to IRS day and we've discussed the 3rd weekend.
I think you would do fine with the big show, but look a tad more carefully at the dates
Rich
brass_rat
12-23-2018, 02:40 PM
Leon,
If you could find a second reason for people to come to Dallas, you could get a nice gathering outside of locals.
I would try to fly in if I could get my buddy Jerry (gabrinus) to drive down for whatever show.
Jerry, you listening? :)
You could also look for corresponding events on websites like this to find reasons for people to make a weekend of it:
https://www.visitdallas.com/
I'd love to see the Mavericks play.
Steve
RedsFan1941
12-23-2018, 02:53 PM
leon is right (again). just like collectors continuing to do business with auction houses and ebay sellers who they pretty much know are corrupt, it's all about the stuff. if the show is good with good autograph guests (assuming there will be some at such a big show) and top notch dealers people will come. that location seems like a good choice because of the high population around it and i don't see easter as being a problem.
Thanks for the feedback so far, gentlemen. It's appreciated. Kyle and I are still in heavy discussions about it.
Laxcat
12-24-2018, 09:13 AM
It would bring me out of retirement. Will be good to see everyone again.
Hot Springs Bathers
12-24-2018, 10:17 AM
Third weekend also see the Astros in town to face the Rangers! May be a draw?
Beansballcardblog
12-24-2018, 11:00 PM
Not that it’s a surprise but I’m a local and would attend. I’ll also attend any show wheee I can catch up with Matt! It would bring me out of retirement. Will be good to see everyone again.
gabrinus
12-25-2018, 06:11 AM
Steve, I plan on flying my Gabrinus Inc. chopper down to Dallas for that...I used to have a flyer for a Vietnamese strip club in Dallas...see if I can find it...that could be fun....Jerry
Jewish-collector
12-25-2018, 08:28 AM
There's a Raleigh show the Saturday of Easter weekend every year that seems to do well. Maybe you could try try a 2 day show, Fri & Sat ?
http://www.insidepitchpromotions.com/raleigh.htm
Rich Klein
12-25-2018, 09:54 PM
Alan:
That's what I suggested to Kyle BTW. He already had his Frisco location scheduled for Saturday since he does the 3rd Saturday of each month there. Many times he can get the room the day before and if so, then the double is worth doing.
Many people are off that Friday so a Friday Afternoon-Evening/Saturday combo is not a bad idea for that weekend at his normal location.
As I mentioned, if I were to do a big April show I'd do the first weekend or the last weekend of the month because the 2nd weekend is too close to tax time and we've now discussed for this year Easter.
The biggest issue for Easter is that it's a family day (or weekend) and there are many people who attend church 1-2 days a year of which Easter is one of them. It's a small unofficial sample size but on my street there were at least 3 families who got together for Easter day or Easter weekend. Finding my normal parking space on Saturday night in front of my house was very difficult.
Will the serious collectors come, of course, but you won't see as many casual people, especially on Sunday.
I also meant to add my New Jersey Promoter Friend, Gary Sipos, who runs shows on the 1st, 3rd and 5th (when there is a 5th) Sunday in New Jersey near where I grew up, will not run a show at his location on Easter Sunday. His show is a Sunday only show.
And remember as a local DFW promoter, a well promoted big show drawing new people INTO the hobby or returning thereof can only do me good, so I do have a vested (albeit not financially) interest in Kyle and Leon having a good show. Drafting off a big show is only a positive for me.
Regards
Rich
Regards
Rich
I think when the show is said and done it will be a 3 day show. Of course we want the most people possible to attend so the Easter weekend might not be the best for that. We are still talking.
Another thing is the venue itself. We are looking at a location in Lewisville that is close to I35. It is not as spiffy as the Frisco location we are looking at but is 5 figures less expensive. So that is another thing we are discussing. We don't want to bring people to less than optimal digs for the show but we want to keep costs down too. I think it will be fun when it gets off the ground. This neck of the woods needs a larger show...
Tony Gordon
12-26-2018, 01:10 PM
Leon, I think it is a terrific idea. You don't see too many three-day shows west of the Mississippi. I'd love to make it out there for one. Best of luck!
Rich, I agree that this show can only help yours. Case in point, the three-day shows in Rosemont, IL, help my show in Milwaukee, which is about an hour and a half away. I'm able to pass out hundreds of fliers for my show and meet and talk with folks to inform them in person about my show.
I also invite any show promoter to leave fliers at my show. By working together, we can assure success for everybody. In this digital age, it is tough to get collectors to leave their computer screens and come out to a show. I, for one, prefer a show to buying and selling online. It is so much more enjoyable for me to actually see cards in person and to chat with people who have the same interests that I have.
ksfarmboy
12-26-2018, 02:12 PM
I’d be game for a show in Texas and would grab a few buddies to go as well. Are you looking into getting PSA there by chance?
sfh24
12-26-2018, 06:00 PM
Make it happen. I am tired of driving to other cities for major shows.
CurtisFlood
12-27-2018, 01:44 PM
I would be interested in doing the show if it fits my schedule. I'm sure if you do three I would be available for one at least.
CurtisFlood
12-27-2018, 01:47 PM
I think when the show is said and done it will be a 3 day show. Of course we want the most people possible to attend so the Easter weekend might not be the best for that. We are still talking.
Another thing is the venue itself. We are looking at a location in Lewisville that is close to I35. It is not as spiffy as the Frisco location we are looking at but is 5 figures less expensive. So that is another thing we are discussing. We don't want to bring people to less than optimal digs for the show but we want to keep costs down too. I think it will be fun when it gets off the ground. This neck of the woods needs a larger show...
Easter weekend is a fiasco. I put in one in the early nineties, it was a colossal disaster. I vowed never to do an Easter weekend show again.
Thanks again for the feedback (and to the others too). I think we are not going to try to swim upstream and do it on Easter but nothing is firm yet. I haven't spoken to anyone yet that says Easter weekend is good for a show, There is no use starting out in the hole. Due to the holidays there are people out so we can't make a final decision until we get the venue(s) management back in their offices to talk about availability etc.....There seems to be a pent up demand for a quality, larger show in this area.
Easter weekend is a fiasco. I put in one in the early nineties, it was a colossal disaster. I vowed never to do an Easter weekend show again.
Kyle and I are in negotiations with the venue to sign a contract. As was the case before we could be missing some big situation but we are now hoping for a late April (27,28,29) or first weekend in May (3.4.5) time frame. Any and all feedback for those dates would be appreciated?
It is coming along nicely and there has been a completely, overwhelmingly positive response to it from almost everyone I have spoken with. Many of them are advertisers on our forum who think a larger show in this area is needed. It could be fun.
Hot Springs Bathers
01-08-2019, 01:25 PM
Leon this sounds like a great event. I will make the long journey from Arkansas! My wife shopping in Dallas could make this an expensive weekend!!!
Kris19
01-08-2019, 01:44 PM
Leon, it’s great to hear that a large show will be coming to the area! Overdue. I vote for April 27-29, but only for personal, selfish reasons ;)
Yastrzemski Sports
01-08-2019, 05:48 PM
Kyle and I are in negotiations with the venue to sign a contract. As was the case before we could be missing some big situation but we are now hoping for a late April (27,28,29) or first weekend in May (3.4.5) time frame. Any and all feedback for those dates would be appreciated?
It is coming along nicely and there has been a completely, overwhelmingly positive response to it from almost everyone I have spoken with. Many of them are advertisers on our forum who think a larger show in this area is needed. It could be fun.
Last year that last weekend in April was the Altman Boston Show.
Also caution that Mother’s Day on May 12.
brass_rat
01-08-2019, 06:15 PM
First weekend in May! Nicely coincides with Cinco de Mayo, so the whole weekend will be a party.
Steve
Kyle and I had a meeting with the gentleman in charge of renting out the Frisco/Dr.Pepper Dallas Stars Arena today. We are tentatively having the 1st Annual "The Texas Show" - Sports Card Convention there April 26, 27, 28 2019. The contract isn't signed but the person in charge is having the contract drawn up now and all of the terms were agreed upon. We will be getting CAD drawings to start figuring out the table arrangements asap. The name of the venue is actually changing tomorrow from Dr.Pepper to a big bank. It is the home to the Dallas Stars hockey team as well as one of their training facilities. They practice in part of it and the other part is an arena used for different types of events. It is a very nice facility inside and there is stadium seating for 4000 along with quite a few other areas to relax inside. That doesn't count any seating on the main floor or corridors. There will be autograph guests and many dealers and companies that aren't normally in this area. More details to come but those are the dates and venue. We expect to have between 150 - 200 tables plus a lot of vendors space in addition to that. It looks like we will probably be able to have alcohol served there, through the venue of course, and other refreshments and food as normal. Hopefully we will get a good turnout as the area has been lacking a good, bigger show for some time.
https://www.visitfrisco.com/listing/dr-pepper-starcenter/542/
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vintagebaseballcardguy
01-17-2019, 03:42 PM
Exciting stuff, Leon! Thanks for the info. Hopefully I will be able to make the drive from Arkansas.
Arazi4442
01-17-2019, 03:50 PM
That's great. Excited for a show in this part of the country!!! I'll definitely be there.
CobbSpikedMe
01-17-2019, 04:53 PM
I wish I could make it down there. Best of luck with the first of hopefully many great shows!