Thank You for adding to our experience at The National!

[Tim Kindler]

I just wanted to thank Leon for organizing and putting on the Net 54 Dinner at the Hyatt last night! Jeff and I had a great time walking the floor all day wheeling and dealing, and conversing with dealers and fellow collectors, and then it was topped off by a great dinner and experience with fellow Net 54ers all evening! It was our first time attending a Net 54 dinner and we hope to make it a permanent fixture on our National trip each year from now on.
Thanks to Heritage for sponsoring the event and the Hyatt staff for the great food and drinks!

I also enjoyed the three speakers who all had interesting points and stories during their presentations. Sorry, but I am terrible with names and can't recall the speaker's names, but a couple of them had to speak on short notice and I thought they did a great job. I hope that the gentlemen who weren't able to speak because of illnesses get well. I really enjoyed the food, yes I said that before, and getting to put names with faces of folks that I have done business with or chatted with over the years on the board. It was really neat to connect and talk with many collectors of all different backgrounds and budgets about the various things that are our collecting passions! Anything from cards, T206s, E98s, Cracker Jacks, etc. to memoribilia, to even Hockey Cards was being discussed in our little groups. To those who really made my experience enjoyable last night thank you again...you know who you are I really appreciate the community of people on our board.

Tim Kindler

[4815162342]

I too enjoyed my first Net54 dinner. Thanks Leon, Heritage, et al for making this possible! I thought the speakers were informative and entertaining, and that the food was delicious.

[SMPEP]

Agreed! Great night and great fun. Good oportunity to meet a few people, swap a few stories, and eat some good fun.

Thanks to Leon for arranging this!

Cheers,
Patrick

[novakjr]

I wish I could've been there...Hopefully next year if all goes well financially. Worst case, I'll be there for sure for '14 in Cleveland(too bad they pushed Cleveland back). Hell, I can't miss that one, it's only a half hour drive..

[Exhibitman]

Tremendous fun; definitely a must-do if you are at the show, though it is the ultimate sausage-fest. And what's with the postal inspector/Fed at every dinner--is he a member?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Tremendous fun; definitely a must-do if you are at the show, though it is the ultimate sausage-fest. And what's with the postal inspector/Fed at every dinner--is he a member?

You're welcome guys. I thought the food was pretty good...but then again I like that kind of food . As for the FBI guy being there (I don't think there was a Postal Inspector there like last year), I am friendly with him and invited him. He has an interest in collectibles as well as helps our hobby. What more can I say? I like him. I wish more of them were in the hobby, for personal pleasure, as well as officially. regards

ps...I took a 4 1/2 day sabbatical from the internet too. it was great. If I didn't respond to you in that time, that is why.

[BengoughingForAwhile]

It was mine and my girlfriend Bethanys' first National and what a wonderful experience we had! Let me start by saying thank you to Leon Luckey for putting the dinner together and thanks to Heritage Auctions for sponsoring the whole thing. At the convention it was great talking to both Leon and Scott Brockelman at their booth. It's hard for me to believe that there are two nicer guys running any auction house in this hobby today.
At the dinner, we couldn't of had any better tablemates than Sal, Jay, Mark and Ted Z. Great guys and I could have sat there and listened to all their knowledge about vintage baseball cards until the next National started in Baltimore!
Looking forward to seeing you all again in 2012!

Charles Malm

[edhans]

Just back from a nine hour drive home from Chicago. A great show both economically and socially. Good crowds all five days. Yes, some overpriced merchandise (probably including some at our table), but some good deals to be had. I won't try to name all the Net54ers I met because I'm certain I'd forget a few. Enjoyed the Net54 dinner as well as the informal repasts with Jim B., TBob, Leon, Richard, and David. I think I had the distinction of selling Leon the only card he bought for his collection. And the best part of the show was that Mike Peich actually remembered my name this year!

[bcornell]

Originally Posted by edhans

And the best part of the show was that Mike Peich actually remembered my name this year!

Ed - If it makes you feel any better, Mike keeps calling me "Robert Silverman"

One of the annual treats when sitting in Scott B's and Richard M's booth is the slew of people who come up and ask "which one of you is Leon?". No one ever believes me when I raise my hand, but it never gets old.

Great National, as always. Next year will be 10 straight for me.


Bill

[E93]

I had a blast this year too.
JimB

[edhans]

Ed - If it makes you feel any better, Mike keeps calling me "Robert Silverman"

I can't imagine how he'd make that mistake. You've got way more hair than Silverman.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by edhans

I think I had the distinction of selling Leon the only card he bought for his collection.

Yeap, Ed. It seems like it was almost the first of hour of the first day at the show when I saw this gem in your case. It felt like I was going to have a really successful Personal Collection national. Then, nadda the rest of the time. Nothing I needed or that jumped out at me. However, I am thankful for this W519-1 .....And thanks again for allowing me squatters rights at your and Gary's table the last day. Everyone from Net54baseball is so helpful and friendly it just makes the whole experience so much better. best regards

[danc]

Had much fun (and drink). Sat at a table with veteran lurker yankypride, the world famous baseball artist and Net54 columnist (On The Easel With...) Gregg Kressler and a photo enthusiast Ben something.

Nice to meet the Bucklers (the girl is a trouble maker), BuyThatCard, Sheryl the bartender, OldCardBoard and others (too many to name and the band is playing me off the stage) and a special thanks to Leon for remembering me (Hi, I'm Steve!) and the speakers were engaging and the food was top notch.

Hope we can do it all again in 2012!

DanC

[Buythatcard]

Hey Dan C, were you the guy with the yellow business card? That was a good table at the dinner. We had a nice variety of personalities among us.

I enjoyed the conversation even though I didn't drink that night.