2023 National Card Show DRAMA!!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by BeanTown

I hope the People who run the National read boards like this, and apply common sense for improvement.

They read the boards and have common sense. Next year there is a new management group Joe Drelich, Brian Coppola and Jim Ryan are taking over. Joe (hi Joe) has posted on the forum many times, generally concerning The Philly Show, which he's run for several years.
They spoke at the Net54baseball banquet. I think they hear collectors, and dealers, loud and clear. All 3 of the directors have run big shows before, so I am very hopeful. That said, the show must have been 2x as big, physically, than last year. It was monstorous . There are a million moving parts, it seems.
Here is an article most have probably already seen...if not, well, here ya' go.


https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/n...-team-schedule
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[Exhibitman]

That sounds horribly frustrating, Chris. Had I been stuck like that I'd have been using The Wall for all sorts of display stuff. Maybe spray paint it like the Berlin Wall?

I've been saying for years that management has to rethink the floor plan for these shows. That is true now more than ever with both a giant space need and so much of the hobby universe taken up by specialized areas of endeavor that many simply do not want anything to do with. I have no interest in the loud casino of breaking or the nattering nabobs of nonsense doing their livestreams and podcasts, nor am I one of the autograph pod people waiting patiently for hours to overpay for a signature from a guy whose autograph is instantly worth 20% of what they paid. IMHO, the show runners should:

1. Put the breakers, autographs and other similar stuff in one end of the place.

2. Put all the corporate booths next,

3. Put the direct services for collectors (TPGs and authenticators) next, and

4. Put all the dealers and AHs together at one end.

The priority system should be revamped to be only dealers and AHs.

This open floor plan disorganization does a disservice to each of the constituencies. It is time to recognize that the corporate areas and event areas are just wastelands that collectors have to cross. Having it all clustered will make the show much more hospitable for everyone.

I know the corporate people will protest; they think that collectors who would be into a vintage card booth would somehow be turned on by their shiny trinkets. Guess what, we aren't. All I ever think about when I see one of these corporate areas is "get out of my way." Anyone with an actual interest in this stuff can readily find it. For most of us it is just a nuisance.

Now all you kids get off my lawn.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

1. Put the breakers, autographs and other similar stuff in one end of the place.

Not that I ever wish to attend another National, but if you're going to stick autographs with breakers, I'm definitely staying home! Breakers belong with corporate.

BTW, you can tell it's been a while since I've been to a show there. I had no idea about the entertainment area you mentioned. That was definitely not there the last time I was in the vicinity. A friend told me that it's too small to handle the crowds.

[conor912]

This was my first Natty, so I have no base for comparison, and overall enjoyed myself. I have, however, been to plenty of conventions, exhibitions, and conferences to know that this one has major challenges. I would take the time to list them all in detail if I thought it would make any difference. I will say that making people sit on the dirty concrete floor to eat should be a crime.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Leon

They read the boards and have common sense. Next year there is a new management group Joe Drelich, Brian Coppola and Jim Ryan are taking over. Joe (hi Joe) has posted on the forum many times, generally concerning The Philly Show, which he's run for several years.
They spoke at the Net54baseball banquet. I think they hear collectors, and dealers, loud and clear. All 3 of the directors have run big shows before, so I am very hopeful. That said, the show must have been 2x as big, physically, than last year. It was monstorous . There are a million moving parts, it seems.
Here is an article most have probably already seen...if not, well, here ya' go.


https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/n...-team-schedule
.

.,

I thought it was great you had them as Speakers (not Tris), job well done. I produced a Music Festival for 25 years, what I learned was the two most important things were product, in my case music, and customer experience.

It's not rocket science, it's a mathematical logistic hierarchy, start at the end and work your way back, the map will show you what needs to be done 3,6,9,and 12 months out. Worked out well, my timeline spreadsheet was dialed after a few years.

One thing I always did every year and would suggest the producers do is put yourself through the customer experience.

Stand there and see what it's like to get into your venue, is it efficient and kind?
Try to navigate your layout. Is it frustrating or pleasant?

Get yourself fed/hydrated at your event. Timing/quality/accessibility? Understand it's disrespectful and humiliating to make people sit on the floor to eat.

Go take a shit in the bathrooms your event represents. Sit on the seat, wipe your ass with the TP if there is any, and report back.

AC? Was never an issue for me as an outdoor event(curse you rain) but I'm amazed that the National would put up with any mechanical snafus, you're bringing a lot of economic dollars to the table, I would demand the City and Union shitheads make sure my folks were well conditioned and comfortable to spend money.

Too many people?
First thing I would do to adjust to a sell out is raise ticket prices and turn people away. Believe me it's the best Pavlovian response to profitability.
And make sure your dealers/product are taken care of, the better the product the cheaper the price. Get rid of the museum guys and give them incentive to sell baseball cards, free space with gross sale limits, etc..

This stuff isn't hard imo, it's just a lot of hard work with the right priorities. As a logistics guy I'm available for consultation and will take my pay in 1914 Cracker Jack cards.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

I thought it was great you had them as Speakers (not Tris), job well done. I produced a Music Festival for 25 years, what I learned was the two most important things were product, in my case music, and customer experience.

It's not rocket science, it's a mathematical logistic hierarchy, start at the end and work your way back, the map will show you what needs to be done 3,6,9,and 12 months out. Worked out well, my timeline spreadsheet was dialed after a few years.

One thing I always did every year and would suggest the producers do is put yourself through the customer experience.

Stand there and see what it's like to get into your venue, is it efficient and kind?
Try to navigate your layout. Is it frustrating or pleasant?

Get yourself fed/hydrated at your event. Timing/quality/accessibility? Understand it's disrespectful and humiliating to make people sit on the floor to eat.

Go take a shit in the bathrooms your event represents. Sit on the seat, wipe your ass with the TP if there is any, and report back.

AC? Was never an issue for me as an outdoor event(curse you rain) but I'm amazed that the National would put up with any mechanical snafus, you're bringing a lot of economic dollars to the table, I would demand the City and Union shitheads make sure my folks were well conditioned and comfortable to spend money.

Too many people?
First thing I would do to adjust to a sell out is raise ticket prices and turn people away. Believe me it's the best Pavlovian response to profitability.
And make sure your dealers/product are taken care of, the better the product the cheaper the price. Get rid of the museum guys and give them incentive to sell baseball cards, free space with gross sale limits, etc..

This stuff isn't hard imo, it's just a lot of hard work with the right priorities. As a logistics guy I'm available for consultation and will take my pay in 1914 Cracker Jack cards.

This is spot on. I also agree on raising the prices. I came from out of state and spent a couple grand before even walking in the door. I would happily pay 2x on my pass for a better experience.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

One thing I always did every year and would suggest the producers do is put yourself through the customer experience.

Stand there and see what it's like to get into your venue, is it efficient and kind?
Try to navigate your layout. Is it frustrating or pleasant?

Get yourself fed/hydrated at your event. Timing/quality/accessibility? Understand it's disrespectful and humiliating to make people sit on the floor to eat.

Go take a shit in the bathrooms your event represents. Sit on the seat, wipe your ass with the TP if there is any, and report back.

This (especially the crapper part). If it doesn't feel right, it isn't right, and the show runner should be cracking heads with the venue, repeatedly and persistently, until it is made right. It is his job to be the squeaky wheel.

One thing I don't blame them for is mechanical breakdowns. They happen. That said the venue should have a back-up plan and the promoters should be asking about that plan before everyone is left there sweating balls because the AC crapped out.
Read Sun Tzu: every battle is won before it is fought. Planning includes contingencies.