Diversity in the hobby

[kcohen]

Okay, okay. Got it. Nobody meant any offense and nobody has been offended. This thread is putting me to sleep.

That said, to achieve true diversity, the hobby needs more old fat white guys with comb-overs.

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by kcohen

...That said, to achieve true diversity, the hobby needs more old fat white guys with comb-overs.

Already has that population. That's why Net54 shirt sizes start at 3XL, except for myself, of course

[Exhibitman]

Out of the two shows we've run so far in SoCal I'd say we had an attendee mix that was about 75% white, with the balance African-American, Hispanic and Asian. We also had far more women attendees than is the norm at many shows, which I ascribe to our free admission policy that allowed moms, significant others, and other people who weren't interested in collecting to tag along for free [I should probably ask whether charging a lot for women to be admitted is something the collectors favor ]. If you want to talk non-diversity, though, let's talk gender, as Bill Simmons wrote in 2011 on Grantland:

Q: Enjoyed your sports memorabilia piece. A question though: Were there ANY women there at all? I mean, if there is 'press box hot' what constitutes as 'sports memorabilia convention' hot?
— Torey, Pittsburgh

SG: I tackled this subject in 2009's photo essay, writing things like "There are sausage fests, there are mega-sausage fests and then there's the National Sports Collectors Convention. You have a better chance of meeting your future wife in an all-male penitentiary during a Gay Pride parade." Press Box Hot is a much higher caliber than NSCC Hot; I'd put NSCC Hot just below Female Prison Guard Hot. It's so bad that you're startled every time you see a woman under 40. Even pregnant moms pushing baby strollers get checked out. One collector had the bright idea of having a pretty women in her early 20s sit in his station with him; she was clearly hired for the event (like a convention escort), but the ploy worked. Guys in Hawaiian shirts were awkwardly wobbling by like they'd just seen a lunar eclipse. That's my suggestion to any major dealer out there: Hire a local Hooters girl or model to hang out in your booth for five afternoons and just flirt with customers. Pay her $200 a day. You'll make the money back.

[Texxxx]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Hire a local Hooters girl or model to hang out in your booth for five afternoons and just flirt with customers. Pay her $200 a day. You'll make the money back.

Can I have the booth next to yours?