National exhibitors vote to return to Baltimore in 2012

[Rob D.]

Just received this news via e-mail. I posted it in the other National thread but thought it deserved its own spot. Good decision. Lots of people should be happy.

National Exhibitors Vote to Return to Baltimore in 2012 in Special Ballot

During the 31st National Sports Collectors Convention at the Baltimore Convention Center, last summer, National organizers kept hearing one comment. “The National has got to come back to Baltimore again!”

At the Annual Meeting held on Friday night during the National, presentations were given by Atlantic City and Baltimore to host the 2014 National. However, there were two drawbacks to the bid from Baltimore. First, the Convention Center could not provide a 2014 date earlier than the middle of August (much later than the National has ever been held) and second, the Convention Center would not sign a contract with the NSCC more than 24 months in advance of those dates. Both of these issues posed large problems for the NSCC and show organizers.

Following the National, exhibitors were still very much in favor of returning to Baltimore as a result of the success of the 2010 event. Show managers Mike Berkus and John Broggi (SMI LLC) looked for a way to return to Baltimore and to overcome the two drawbacks for 2014. In October, Baltimore officials informed SMI that they could provide the National with 8/1-8/5/2012 dates, roughly the same time period as the 2010 National.

In addition, since those 2012 dates were within the 24 month requirement that Baltimore had, a contract could be signed immediately.That left one problem to be resolved. The National already had a 2012 contract with Cleveland. SMI LLC entered into negotiations with I-X Center personnel concerning the possibility of moving the 2012 National, originally scheduled there. Several discussions with Cleveland’s I-X Center were held and SMI LLC has agreed to pay Cleveland a one-time non-refundable fee to move the 2012 show and to hold the 2014 show in Cleveland. In addition, the 2018 National will be held at the I-X Center. This change provides a longer interval between shows in Cleveland. Once a tentative agreement was reached with the I-X Center, a ballot was sent to National Exhibitors for approval. Dealers voted overwhelmingly to return to Baltimore in 2012.

The Booth Selection Lottery in Chicago next summer will provide additional details concerning Baltimore 2012.

A limited number of booths still remain for the 32nd National in Chicago. If you wish to exhibit in August, please contact Megan in the National Office immediately to reserve one of the remaining locations. Call her direct at 732-735-6683. Full payment will be required before space can be assigned.

[tiger8mush]

Awesome! It was a great family environment. My wife and young kids enjoyed museums and shopping while I was inside the National, and we went to the zoo and a ballgame together. Worked out wonderfully. I better start saving money now!

[teetwoohsix]

Wow. So much for Las Vegas

[timzcardz]

I just saw that in my email as well.


Care to guess where my family vacation will be in 2012?

[4815162342]

I got that email as well. Great!

[Jewish-collector]

I, too, just saw that in my email. It looks like the National will rotate between Chicago and Baltimore.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Glad to hear it. The venue was modern and enjoyable, and the town itself has really cleaned up its act since the last time I was in the Inner Harbor area. The locals were friendly and helpful, accommodations were comfortable, above average in style and quite affordable. I just didn't like the hefty parking rates, but did find a good deal after I got there ($8 or $10/day, two blocks from the venue).

As much as I love Chicago and its outlying suburbia, I can't stand that terrible convention center or the lack of anything to do in Rosemont. How does Chicago not have a better venue? What a dump.

[autograf]

Chicago has McCormick downtown but I'm sure it's WAY more expensive than the old Rosemont.....George Smith, whatever it is now. I don't see a problem with the facility in Chicago. Food sucks, but it basically sucks at all these venues. At least in Baltimore you could cross the street for food. I really enjoyed Baltimore. It was an easy ride from airport to hotel/venue and it was right in the middle of things. Look forward to 2012.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

I, too, just saw that in my email. It looks like the National will rotate between Chicago and Baltimore.

Did you miss the part about Cleveland being the host city in 2014 and '18?

[Jewish-collector]

It's early yet. My feeling is that the dealers are going to complain so much about not wanting Cleveland, that they will switch it to Baltimore or Chicago.

[BearBailey]

Best News I've heard all day. Lets hope the O's are in town again.

[Kawika]

I am really pleased to learn of this. I was unable to attend the 2010 National in Baltimore because of a conflicting family reunion in the Netherlands. My wife and I had originally planned to do an extended trip of the Mid-Atlantic states to include the National plus visits to D.C., Annapolis and various Civil War historical sites such as Gettysburg, Annapolis etc, and after hearing of the great times that all seemed to have had in Baltimore I was doubly sorry to have missed out (although we had a helluva nice time in Holland). Looking forward to Cleveland or Chicago just wasn't going to cut it for me, but now I am counting the months to August 2012.

[byrone]

Originally Posted by Kawika

I am really pleased to learn of this. I was unable to attend the 2010 National in Baltimore because of a conflicting family reunion in the Netherlands. My wife and I had originally planned to do an extended trip of the Mid-Atlantic states to include the National plus visits to D.C., Annapolis and various Civil War historical sites such as Gettysburg, Annapolis etc, and after hearing of the great times that all seemed to have had in Baltimore I was doubly sorry to have missed out (although we had a helluva nice time in Holland). Looking forward to Cleveland or Chicago just wasn't going to cut it for me, but now I am counting the months to August 2012.

"There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures, and the Dutch" - Nigel Powers, father of Austin Powers

[toppcat]

Excellent news!

[lharri3600]

yes,yes! baltimore was the perfect venue. everything within walking distance. to make things better, i have a host of relatives there. one of the best 10 days away from home i've had in quite a while. then to top things off i met many there for the first time, though we've sent each other thousands of $$$ over the years. nice to put a face to a name. just my $0.02