National Headed to Chicago Again in 2026

[rand1com]

Just announced that dealers voted to hold the National in Chicago in 2026 despite Atlantic City offering $1000/booth to dealers.

Vote Breakdown
Atlanta 52
Atlantic City 111
Chicago 170

[Exhibitman]

Classic. AC can't even bribe its way into another show.

[pawpawdiv9]

That sucks for Atlanta
Not even close
was hoping to go to my 1st nat

[parkplace33]

Why weren't other cities included in that vote?

[Lorewalker]

I got that email today. It said there were only 333 ballots cast and that was a great turnout. Seems low considering how many dealers set up, no?

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

I got that email today. It said there were only 333 ballots cast and that was a great turnout. Seems low considering how many dealers set up, no?

There were only around 355 dealers at the 2023 National. Many more booths because dealers have 2,3,4 each but 333 votes is a tremendous turnout based on historically less than half of that.

[perezfan]

If you can't get a direct flight, that prospective city should not even be considered. They should've replaced AC with LV on their "ballot".

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Why weren't other cities included in that vote?

Because this is how it works. LOL

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by jcmtiger

Because this is how it works. LOL

Totally right, why should I expect anything else?

Vegas would be a grand location. The knock I heard was that dealers wouldn't want to travel to Vegas, which I find hard to believe.

[The Detroit Collector]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Why weren't other cities included in that vote?

There's a good interview on YouTube with the National organizers.
Basically, they look for venues based on size (needs to be 500K sqft), range of dates in summer, hotels nearby, airport nearby.

A lot of good cities have shows already running every year at the main venues. For the National to come in and every 3 years and say, "Hey give me a week in primetime summer 3 years from now", the venues will always choose the shows that are constantly coming in year after year.

Link is below to anyone interested. They start talking about location selection at minute 13.
https://www.youtube.com/live/aCjPy1d...-CoBzHyRTD-rbp

[Jewish-collector]

Originally Posted by pawpawdiv9

That sucks for Atlanta
Not even close
was hoping to go to my 1st nat

Why can't you still go, Chris ?

[pawpawdiv9]

Well-never flew before
Plus- I would be lost for sure
So I would need help/friends

[Aaron Seefeldt]

So where will it be in 2024 & 2025?

[LOUCARDFAN]

Add the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY to that list. It has 1.2 million square feet of contiguous space and is the 6th largest facility in the U.S. Louisville would make a tremendous National location. Louisville is within driving distance of 60% of the U.S. population and easy to fly into. Less than a mile away from Muhammad Ali International Airport. 42 neighboring hotels around the facility and another 8,000 hotel rooms within just a few miles away. 25,000 on site parking spaces and plenty of things to do around the Louisville area.


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[dealme]

Out of curiosity, do most dealers drive to the national with all of their merchandise, or do they ship it and fly themselves to the location (assuming that it’s more than a one day drive)? I could see concerns with both shipping merchandise or staying overnight somewhere with a vehicle or trailer full of cards.

Cheers,
Mark


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[prestigecollectibles]

I drive from South Florida. It takes me two days of driving to get to Chicago, Cleveland or Atlantic City. I think most dealers drive or have their merchandise shipped. It's just too difficult flying as we did in the 90s.

Originally Posted by dealme

Out of curiosity, do most dealers drive to the national with all of their merchandise, or do they ship it and fly themselves to the location (assuming that it’s more than a one day drive)? I could see concerns with both shipping merchandise or staying overnight somewhere with a vehicle or trailer full of cards.

Cheers,
Mark


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[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by prestigecollectibles

I drive from South Florida. It takes me two days of driving to get to Chicago, Cleveland or Atlantic City. I think most dealers drive or have their merchandise shipped. It's just too difficult flying as we did in the 90s.

I assumed this was a major obstacle to a West Coast show for East Coast dealers. When I sold a couple of vintage motorcycles this year at the Mecum auction in Las Vegas (I'm on the West Coast) I found a guy in Los Angeles who had a trailer,insurance, and a good reputation. He picked up a dozen bikes up and down California and hauled them all to Vegas and checked them in to Mecum. Smooth process and cost me $600.

Maybe the same arrangement could be made with an enterprising individual hauling several dealers stock out from the East to Vegas.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

I assumed this was a major obstacle to a West Coast show for East Coast dealers. When I sold a couple of vintage motorcycles this year at the Mecum auction in Las Vegas (I'm on the West Coast) I found a guy in Los Angeles who had a trailer,insurance, and a good reputation. He picked up a dozen bikes up and down California and hauled them all to Vegas and checked them in to Mecum. Smooth process and cost me $600.

Maybe the same arrangement could be made with an enterprising individual hauling several dealers stock out from the East to Vegas.

East dealers may say it is an obstacle, but trust me, most would climb Mt. Everest to make a sale.

Those that want to sell would make it work.

[ValKehl]

Thanks Brian & Brian for the kind words. What I would personally like to see happen even more than a Winter NSCC is a Pre-War National. Dealers would be prohibited for selling/displaying anything earlier than 1945. No autograph signers (no living pre-War players). Obviously, this event would be much, much, much smaller than the NSCC and not require a huge, costly convention center. I don't care where it is held, I'll be there! But, I realize the chances of this happening are super slim and none!

[ValKehl]

The NSCC was held at least twice at Anaheim, quite successfully I believe. Was there a void of dealers from the East Coast for these shows?

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Thanks Brian & Brian for the kind words. What I would personally like to see happen even more than a Winter NSCC is a Pre-War National. Dealers would be prohibited for selling/displaying anything earlier than 1945. No autograph signers (no living pre-War players). Obviously, this event would be much, much, much smaller than the NSCC and not require a huge, costly convention center. I don't care where it is held, I'll be there! But, I realize the chances of this happening are super slim and none!

I assume you meant (no later than 1945).

And yes, the chance is ZERO!

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by rand1com

I assume you meant (no later than 1945).

And yes, the chance is ZERO!

Randy, thanks for catching and correcting my brain freeze.