The National in Cleveland 2009 [Archive] - Net54baseball.com Forums

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02-21-2009, 03:28 AM

Posted By: Bill WilliamsAlso, is anyone here planning on going to the 09 National in Cleveland? Are you setting up as a dealer or as an attendee. I will most likely have 2 booths at National, one on the floor selling stuff, and one in corporate area promoting my new company. Who is going? Any plans for a NET 54 dinner somewhere during The National? ~Bill <img src="/images/wink.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="wink.gif">

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02-21-2009, 04:39 AM

Posted By: AnonymousI will be going to the National as an attendee.

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02-21-2009, 06:19 AM

Posted By: Vincent I, too, am planning on attending the National Show in a non-dealer compacity. Missed out on Chicago last year due to unexpected change of plans. So warchest is going to be larger than usual for making purchases. Now if only the vintage material and prices meet my needs and expectations.

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02-21-2009, 07:56 AM

Posted By: boxingcardmanAnyone got a spare dealer's pass I can bum or buy? Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

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02-21-2009, 08:20 AM

Posted By: AlanIf I can save enough money for the cost of the hotel, food, gas, etc,... then I definately intend to go even if I can't afford to buy much. I usually make the trip a mini-vacation as I usually go to some concert downtown and/or hit the downtown restaurants/bars. The Net54 dinner is easily the highlight of the entire National weekend. It is always great meeting other collectors & dealers from this forum. Me too asking, anyone got a spare dealer's pass I can bum or buy ? Alan

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02-21-2009, 08:22 AM

Posted By: Brian T.Anxiously awaiting to attend my first National show as a vintage collector.

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02-21-2009, 08:31 AM

Posted By: DaryleWhat are the set dates for this years show? I'm planning on attending. Not sure yet.

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02-21-2009, 09:12 AM

Posted By: Brian T.Wednesday, July 29 - Sunday, August 2 Cleveland I.X. Center <a href="http://www.nsccshow.com" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.nsccshow.com</a>/

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02-21-2009, 04:24 PM

Posted By: MattI look forward to seeing you all there. I'll also throw my hat out for a spare dealer's pass. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mwieder" rel="nofollow">My Trade/Sale Page</a>

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02-21-2009, 04:47 PM

Posted By: Bill WilliamsI may very well have spare dealers passes & booth space for those that may be interested. ~Bill

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02-21-2009, 05:39 PM

Posted By: mark s.hi bill- welcome and please enjoy the 2009 national sports collectors convention! i do have one minor request, and i apologize in advance for being so anal retentive, but this is like fingernails on the chalkboard to me! the nscc has, for almost three decades now, been lovingly referred to as "the national" (singular), i suspect because the plural reference lends such an "NHRA" connotation. and, after all, altho the largest in the hobby and spread over five days, it is still considered ONE event! to all fortunate enough to attend... have fun in cleveland! regards, mark sanders edited message title

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02-21-2009, 07:36 PM

Posted By: Mark EvansI sure hope and expect to be there, and look forward to catching up with a large Net 54 contingent. Mark

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02-21-2009, 07:49 PM

Posted By: leonScott and I will be there and while I haven't spoken with Richard Masson yet I would imagine we will all be at the same table again. As of now there will be a Net54 Dinner again but the specifics aren't set yet. Depending on a few things the dinner will probably be on Thursday night again. More details on that in the coming months. This will be the 8th annual Net54 dinner and I am looking forward to it. It has been free to all participants the last 3 yrs and hopefully it will be again. I also think it's the highlight of my trip too but I am biased. Scott, Richard and I hope to see everyone there....best regards

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02-21-2009, 07:56 PM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmThere's a Brazilian steakhouse a short drive away!

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02-21-2009, 07:59 PM

Posted By: leonIf it's Fogo I will go....otherwise there is no comparison that I have been to....

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02-21-2009, 08:11 PM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmNot Fogo, but certainly as good IMHO. We were quite content!

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02-21-2009, 08:14 PM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmIf not that, I bet there's a P.F. Chang's to be had! Can't go wrong with those lettuce wraps! Chinese burritos!

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02-21-2009, 08:22 PM

Posted By: leonIf you have been to both then I trust ya...I am just in love with FOGO.....We have a PF Changs a few miles from us, where I live (and also near where I work)......yummy....

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02-21-2009, 08:40 PM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmThen again, a N54 group dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse would really be a touch too expensive. Perhaps a place like Chang's would be more manageable for a large group. The "family style" portions would cater especially well to the crowd you're sure to have. The only downside with a place like Chang's is that they don't offer a separate room for large gatherings.

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02-21-2009, 08:46 PM

Posted By: ChrisLeon...I agree. I have been to the Chicago location twice, both times driving the 11 hours from Toronto to get there (stayed over in ChiTown each time, but the focus was the restaurant). A buddy of mine in Toronto introduced me and while I've been to replicas in Toronto, Vegas etc., they just don't measure up. For those that might want to try it out. <a href="http://www.fogodechao.com" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.fogodechao.com</a>/

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02-21-2009, 08:48 PM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmI don't know anyone to have ever been disappointed at Fogo. My wallet sure was, however!

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02-21-2009, 08:49 PM

Posted By: leonI wasn't really talking about having the big Net54 dinner there. We have had an open bar for 6 hours with 125-135 people. At FOGO that would be about a 100k just in bar tab....The Net54 Dinner will be at one of the Hotels very close to the Nationsl. regards

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02-21-2009, 09:34 PM

Posted By: AlanLast year in Chicago, I tried organizing a get together for vintage collectors on the Friday night. It didn't work, because (IMHO) most guys (if they didn't go to the Mastro live auction) flew into the National and had no way to get to the restaurant that I picked (which was a few miles away). It might have worked if I picked a restuarant across from the hotels/convention. Cleveland is actually worst in that respect, because there are no hotels and/or restaurants withing walking distance of the Expo Center. It's way too early, but I doubt I'll organize anything...but who knows.

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02-22-2009, 05:35 AM

Posted By: Phil GarryI will be attending this year's National in Cleveland again. Luckily the show is within driving distance for me and I already have hotel reservations.

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02-22-2009, 10:07 AM

Posted By: Ken McMillanI'm a definite maybe. Depends on what is happening with work at that time. Kmac

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02-22-2009, 02:57 PM

Posted By: DavidIf its during the summer time, I'd love to. Finally a change to meet the great Leon.

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02-22-2009, 03:02 PM

Posted By: Fred C50/50 for me. Probably more like 55/45. If I were PSA it'd be a subjective 60/40 that would actually mean about 80/20.

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02-22-2009, 04:47 PM

Posted By: Jantz I live an hour away, so I will be there. I've been thinking about having a shirt made up so that other Net54 VBCF members can identify me & maybe I'll get to meet some of you. Jantz

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02-22-2009, 05:34 PM

Posted By: AlanFor those of you who haven't made up your mind on going - GO TO THIS SHOW !!! You will have a fantastic time, regardless of how much or how little you find/spend. I can't stress enough how enjoyable the show is, especially meeting fellow collectors.

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02-22-2009, 06:19 PM

Posted By: BobI'll be there but when oh when will we have a National south of the Mason-Dixon line again? Dallas would be fabulous, or Atlanta, or Orlando, or dare I dream, New Orleans!

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02-22-2009, 06:32 PM

Posted By: Jim VBBob, As a Dallas area resident, I hear you! I will say, however, that late July/early August might not be the best time to visit Dallas. On a side note, my son is a student at Tulane. New Orleans is not fun that time of the year either.

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02-23-2009, 03:06 AM

Posted By: Dan CollinsI live in Cleveland so I am sure I will be camped out there <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif">

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02-23-2009, 05:13 AM

Posted By: AlanIt seems like the National organizers haven't found the 3rd city for the rotation. The National currently rotates between Cleveland and Chicago with a different city every now and again. They did Anaheim in 2006 and they're going to try Baltimore in 2010. There's no easy solution that will make everyone happy.

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02-23-2009, 05:59 AM

Posted By: Bryan LongI'm still trying to secure my usual front row seats for one of the Cleveland games while I am there. I hope Bob M. (tbob) finally has an Indians hat this time. If I get tickets be prepared Bob. I won't be taking you this time without one! <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif"> .

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02-23-2009, 07:44 AM

Posted By: boxingcardmanConvention bookings are way down. But why go somewhere with thousands of convenient hotels in all price ranges, magnificent convention facilities, a state of the art airport reached with cheap flights from virtually everywhere, and great food and activities for everyone? Nah...better to go to cities that are the butts of jokes, where the family visits once and then says "never again." I know a lot of dealers say LV is too expensive and there are too many distractions, but (1) that would not distract any real collectors from showing up at the convention floor and (2) it doesn't take into account how many collectors are dissuaded or precluded from going to the crappy venues where we hold the show now by family pressures to take a "real" vacation instead or who simply don't want to go to a second-rate venue in a third-rate locale. No offense to the third rate locale dwellers out there, but I know a lot of guys who are skipping Cleveland this time around because they are sick of bad venues, lodgings and food, relatively speaking.

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02-23-2009, 07:54 AM

Posted By: Eric BrehmI rather like downtown Cleveland. Some nice restaurants, Indians games within walking distance, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, etc. Two years ago we stayed at the Marriott and it was great (fortuitously the Hyatt had overbooked our room and sent us over there, at about 3 AM when we got off the Amtrak that we had ridden over from Denver). We took a cab over to the National show, which we only attended for one day, and otherwise hung around downtown. Saw the Indians play the Rangers at Jacobs Field.

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02-23-2009, 07:56 AM

Posted By: Rob D.As a native of northeast Ohio, I'm amazed that Cleveland has hosted the National as often as it has and that it's in the unofficial "rotation" of host cities.

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02-23-2009, 09:23 AM

Posted By: AlanI guess it depends if you fly or drive to the National. Chicago is a real pain for driving/parking/logistics. I actually like the Cleveland National. The expo center has a huge parking lot and it's easy to go back & forth to your car. The downtown is very easy to get to and has lots of variety of restaurants, bars, & nightclubs.

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02-23-2009, 09:27 AM

Posted By: peteMy son who was 12 at the time we attend our first national in cleveland two years ago. had a great time. we met a well know modern card dealer who took us to a met and greet with the Topps folks and NBA first round pick Greg Oden. My son was able to get his picture taken with Oden. The best part of it was on the ride over with the dealers in the limo. They were pulling hudge amounts of cash out of their pockets and stuffing it in their back packs. Don't think the IRS was ever going to see that. It made quite an impression on my 12 year old. Last year we went to chicago and had cubs tickets, but were having such a great time at the show that we didn't go to the game. Pete

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02-23-2009, 09:52 AM

Posted By: BobHi Bryan! I absolutely DO have an Injuns hat with the wahoo on front and am ready to wear it at the game. I look forward to seeing you and Jimi. Bob M.

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02-23-2009, 05:51 PM

Posted By: Howie CDoes anyone know how far the Indians ballpark is from the convention center? Is parking easy at the stadium or does it pay to take mass transit?

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02-23-2009, 07:06 PM

Posted By: AlanThe expo center is near the airport "in the suburbs". Jacobs field is downtown. I'm not sure about parking.

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02-24-2009, 06:58 AM

Posted By: John EThere is a train that runs from near the airport and drops you off right near the ball park. Very easy and convenient.

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02-24-2009, 07:07 AM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmThe only thing I really like about the show being held in Cleveland is that it is equidistant from my current home and where I used to live (a 5-6 hour drive from either place). The venue is too far removed from the city itself (which is both good and bad, depending on what we're talking about!). Then again, the Rosemont, IL venue is also too far away from anything even remotely exciting, but at least Chicago is, for the most part, a great town.

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02-24-2009, 07:42 AM

Posted By: AlanJodi - I sure hope you can make it to the Cleveland National.

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02-24-2009, 07:54 AM

Posted By: Jeff LichtmanWhich hotels are nearest to the National?

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02-24-2009, 08:00 AM

Posted By: MattJeff - I thought you were staying at my place? Here is the official link of nearby hotels: <a href="http://conferencehousing.com/TheNational/Cleveland" rel="nofollow">http://conferencehousing.com/TheNational/Cleveland>/ and another: <a href="http://www.ixcenter.com/locator/category-70220ec0-6e01-4822-942f-6a181506a75f.aspx" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.ixcenter.com/locator/category-70220ec0-6e01-4822-942f-6a181506a75f.aspx</a> </a>

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02-24-2009, 08:43 AM

Posted By: AlanI believe the last Net54 dinner in Cleveland was held at the Sheraton Cleveland Airport. Of course, if I make it to the National, I'll stay in the cheapest motel possible in the Cleveland area. <img src="/images/sad.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="sad.gif">

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02-24-2009, 08:59 AM

Posted By: Jeff LichtmanAlan, I'd gladly give up my bed at Matt's house for your use.

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02-24-2009, 09:08 AM

Posted By: MattJeff - my kids are going to be upset - they've spent the last several weeks making a huge "Welcome Jeff" banner. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mwieder" rel="nofollow">My Trade/Sale Page</a>

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02-24-2009, 09:15 AM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmI'll definitely be there. Let's just hope it will be as good as the last Cleveland National. I really don't care for the I.X. Center, but actually did pick up a handful of deals a couple of years ago. That's much more than I can say for any of the other Nationals I've attended; I've come up empty-handed each time!

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02-24-2009, 09:19 AM

Posted By: Jim VBMatt, The kids misunderstood. They're NASCAR fans. They thought you said "Jeff Gordon."

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02-24-2009, 09:23 AM

Posted By: MattJim - that makes sense - I couldn't figure out why they were so excited that a high profile attorney would be coming. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mwieder" rel="nofollow">My Trade/Sale Page</a>