they jsut need to make 4 regional shows and east , west , south and north coast natoinals.

No, just two. One west of the Rockies in February and one east of the Mississippi in August. I would be happy with that :)

If REA sees a need/demand for two events a year, why not two Nationals?

around 1993
 

some of the then major promoter tried the "regional" National concept. that did not work and frankly there should only be one National a year. The amound of work needed for two is not a doable concept plus very few if any of the corporates, and remember the cor[orates are more important than we are, would go to two in a year

Rich

instead of regions, just call it summer national and fall national, but have one west of chicago.

Chicago is hardly what you would call the West. A national in California (San Diego , Los Angeles, etc) that would be a west show.

He said "West of Chicago". He did not say that Chicago was in the west.

AC?
 

AC is not a good idea.

Whatever money people bring to spend on cards, they waste the night before in the casinos.

I'm Selfish
 

Sorry guys, I am very selffish :D, but I love Chicago and Cleveland. I'm from Fort Wayne, Indiana which is smack dab right in the middle of both cities- about 3 1/2 hours away from each. So I love it when it is in both cities! I love Cleveland so much better because it is so much more affordable. Al Capone's family must still have interest in the concessions because the food and drink prices are outrageous in Chicago! Sorry, but the truth hurts. $25 to get in this year at the door is rediculous!

It would be nice if they considered the west coast every once in a while. They've had it in Anaheim a couple of times, why not there? They have the Angels and other good attractions. What about San Diego, San Jose or San Francisco?

Oh well, I guess I'll try for Cleveland next year...

Agree, San Diego is a no brainer!

My latest Rich's Ramblings
 

covers this discussion

http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com...-the-national/

Enjoy

Rich

Chi, Cleve, Chi, Cleve and on and on and on. The board picked the best possible sights. BS. The board should get their heads out of their a$$es and turn the show back into a REAL national, or give it up to someone who will. This same old same old is not getting any new collectors at all into the market. You dealers better get your brains working as the current shows will dry up for buyers.

Great article. Thank you.

Re: National Locations Annnounced Through 2019
 

I'm going to chime in with my two cents.

I can recall attending the very First National at the Marroitt Hotel in
Los Angeles. It was a novel concept. The National not only allowed
dealers from across the country to meet annually, but the show
changed location each year to allow people from all areas of the
country to participate. Remember, there was no E-Bay, Internet or
the like, so to have the big show come to a city near you was a real
treat.

After the 2006 National left Anaheim, something happened. I do
recall reading how East Coast dealers complained about traveling
out West and that pretty much put an end to the West cost being
considered for future venues.

With the exception of Atlantic City in 2016 and Baltimore in 2012
and 2010 the National has settled for Chicago and Cleveland. I've
put together a list of all the Nationals from 1980-2019. See below:

Perhaps it it time for the powers to be to take a step back and refocus.
Who is their audience? What is their mission and how can they get
back to the concept of being a true "National" show for all areas of
the country to participate.

ErikV


National Locations:

2019 Chicago
2018 Cleveland
2017 Chicago
2016 Atlantic City
2015 Chicago
2014 Cleveland
2013 Chicago
2012 Baltimore
2011 Chicago
2010 Baltimore
2009 Cleveland
2008 Chicago
2007 Cleveland
2006 Anaheim
2005 Chicago
2004 Cleveland
2003 Atlantic City
2002 Chicago
2001 Cleveland
2000 Anaheim
1999 Atlanta
1998 Chicago
1997 Cleveland
1996 Anaheim
1995 St Louis
1994 Houston
1993 Chicago
1992 Atlanta
1991 Anaheim
1990 Arlington
1989 Chicago
1988 Atlantic City
1987 San Francisco
1986 Arlington
1985 Anaheim
1984 Parsippany N.J.
1983 Chicago
1982 St Louis
1981 Detroit
1980 Los Angeles


12 Chicago
7 Cleveland
6 Anaheim/L.A.
3 Atlantic City
2 Arlington
2 Atlanta
2 Baltimore
2 St Louis
1 Detroit
1 Houston
1 Parsippany N.J.
1 San Francisco

Given this schedule, my preference would be that they just park it in Chicago. Getting to Atlantic City from the West Coast will be an all-day adventure. And, when you finish, you're in Atlantic City...

Mike Berkus has a tough job and I appreciate that he's willing to keep putting in the work year after year to make this show happen. I'll be at my 11th straight one this year.

Bill

I think something that is lost in this discussion is that the Chicago and Cleveland shows are very well attended and dealers report excellent sales. Obviously, I'm biased because I live in the Chicago area and love having the National here. It's a tremendous show. If you haven't been to one, you MUST go. The amount of cards and memorabilia on display, along with rarity, variety and beauty, is staggering.

Also, if you're coming to my fair city next month, here's a tip on some off-the-beaten-path places to see:

Check out Graceland Cemetery at 4001 N. Clark, just a short walk from Wrigley Field, burial place of fighter Jack Johnson and other historical figures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graceland_Cemetery).

Also check out Oak Woods Cemetery on the South Side (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Woods_Cemetery), burial place of Cap Anson and Kenesaw Mountain Landis, to name a few.

I agree, Bill. Just park it in one place. I'd rather that one place be Baltimore since I really like the central city location of that facility with the restaurants and everything right there as well as the airport close. But, Chicago suburbs is OK. AC will be an adventure for sure.

Keep it in Chicago or move it to a different place every year. Going to Cleveland every other year is supposed to "keep it from getting stale?" Please.

just call it the chicago national, is that a crime?

otherwise move it around,

i think a number of east coast dealers like the excuses of floor size, guarantees, unions, etc. to give cover to the fact that they don't want to bring their stuff any farther west than chicago.

I don't have a problem with the show...just don't call it a national... -_-

I enjoyed the LA and SF ones...

Ricky Y

I'd rather have it parked in Chicago every time than rotating to Cleveland every other year. Forget the Cleveland jokes for the moment, from a convenience and facility standpoint there is no comparison. An inaccessible dilapidated facility in the boonies just doesn't cut it. At least Rosemont has lots of convenient hotels and good restaurants walking distance from the show floor, a postal annex on the show floor to ship home stuff that isn't readily taken on planes, proximity to a major air hub that can be reached without multiple plane changes and on a variety of flights, and a major metropolitan area close by in case someone feels the need to leave the cards and do something else.

Cleveland is better than AC, which is only an hour limo/taxi ride..............after I fly 4 hours into Philly or NY, etc, Not a direct flight in the book!

The new restaurant area they built (Financial Park ?) has tourist crap restaurants.

Fromthe I-X Center
 

You can get right on the train to go downtown. Downtown Cleveland (Rock and Roll HOF) is actually easier to get to from the show then some of the host hotels

Rich

Las Vegas
 

Las Vegas seems like it would be a logical place for a National. I live 4 hours from Chicago and I can fly to Vegas and stay for 3 days for just a few bucks more than it costs to drive to Chicago and back. They have the convention centers and lots of people to draw from.

I would also love to see one in the twin cities.

Rick

If looking for a city in that area, I'm surprised they don't look at Pittsburgh as an alternative to Cleveland. Newer convention center in a downtown setting that you could pair up with the Pirates in town. I couldn't go to Baltimore last year due to a wedding in CT, but the proximity of the CC to OPACY, the Light Rail to the airport, and the Inner Harbor is great for other things to do. If the Furries can afford to run conventions in Baltimore and Pittsburgh, why can't the National?

I agree with Rich. There's a lot of things to do in downtown Cleveland. If they want to keep the National in Cleveland, they should consider having it in the new Cleveland Convention Center, which is set to open summer 2013. It will be a 750,000-square-foot Convention Center with a view of Lake Erie. That clearly is large enough for the National. I would bet if it was there everyone would love it.

Why schedule the Nationals at the same time every yr? Can't a month later or so work to place us at a venue that would draw a larger crowd?? Doesn't make much sense to me.

I would guess that August is when the most people can take the time off to go.

+1

I agree, just leave it in Chicago every year. It is one non-stop flight from almost anywhere in the country.


From the West coast, AC or Baltimore are a hassle to get to. I am like Leon, I am there for the show and don't really care what is nearby. That said, the venue and set-up in Cleveland is a real armpit. Shuttles from hotels are a pain.
JimB

I prefer Baltimore solely because the location is in "Baltimore" and near decent hotels/trains/airport unlike Chicago which really isn't "Chicago." However, it is adjacent to the airport and the truth is, you're going for the show not the town. AC makes zero sense. I'm in NYC and I can't imagine going to AC for a National -- just too big a pain in the ass.

Why not May, June, or July then. Summer break is in effect all those months also. Plus people with kids won't be stressing money spending since school clothes and tuition are a few months out

As the parent of school-aged children, may and June are not an option and I'm willing to bet a significant percentage of the potential attendees are in the same boat.

National
 

There was a time when the National was held earlier.

If I am not mistaken the 1996 Anaheim National was just before July 4. I have a 1992 Atlanta National program handy and it was held July 9 - 12.

Again I a relying on my memory but I think the 1999 Atlanta National was in middish July.

I am sure other board members has programs from past National shows.

They should hold it in las vegas for at least one year.

I could handle that! Remember going to a large show back in the late 80's and Red Shoendinst was a signer held at one of the casinos.

There WAS a Las Vegas National Sports Collectors Convention...
 

There was a Las Vegas National Sports Collectors Convention proposal. In 1980, at the very first National, the late Will Davis proposed to hold the National in L.V. for 1981. I don't recall the vote totals but Will got several votes among dozens cast. The winner, of course, was Lloyd & Carol Toerpe's proposal for Plymouth, Michigan (Greater Detroit!) - which turned out to be an excellent early show.

It just seems it would be a no brainer.

When I was younger
 

I would have loved to go to Vegas, now I'm not so sure if truly appropriate for a National Convention.

Great location for people who have money to get to, easy enough for dealers to get to, actually not that far for Southern Califonria (drivable distance) BUT,

The hobby is strongest on the east coast then the west coast and there are not a ton of kid driendly things to do on the strip.

However, I would not mind seeing Anaheim at some point back in the rotation and I'm sure Mike Berkus would as well

Rich

The casinos tried to be kid friend a couple decades ago. But if you look, I think you could find something for the kids to do. Atlantic City is casinos too, but they held it there.

Atlantic City also has beaches
 

And the boardwalk which during the day are extremely kid friendly.

I think I've found the ideal location for a show. Its attributes:

--The city unemployment rate has nearly tripled since 2000 and more than double the national average;
--The city's homicide rate is at its highest 40 years and it has become one of the most dangerous cities in America;
--Citizens typically wait nearly an hour for police to respond to call, compared to an 11-minute national average;
--The city's police, fire and ambulances are so old that breakdowns make it impossible to keep the fleet or properly carry out their roles;
--40% of the city street lights were not working in the first quarter of 2013;
--There are approximately 78,000 abandoned homes, businesses and other structures;
--The city is more than $18 billion in debt;
--It filed for Chapter 9 Bankruptcy today.

Has there ever been anywhere more likely to bend over backwards and do whatever it takes to get a commitment for a convention? I think not. A nominal facility deposit? You got it. No minimum hotel room commitment? OK. Hookers and drugs? Hell yes. It's the only business left in the joint.

Everyone give a big, warm collector welcome to Detroit, our future show base!

From what I understand, the Baltimore convention center management was very difficult to deal business wise with the National committee for the selection of 2016, so The National committee decided to give dealers a choice between Anaheim and Atlantic City and AC was chosen for that year. It is unclear if the National may or may not return to Baltimore in future years.

you're pretty knowledgeable on this...is this where you get your hookers and drugs?

hmmm... maybe the only FULL TIME business left in the joint
 

.

. . . the seasonal Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings
still serve a fairly healthy consumer base.

No New Orleans?

Nah...eBay.

No Ferris Wheel and we hear the venue's hot dogs are lousy. Next.

obviously you've never had a Detroit coney from Lafayette Coney Island...one of the couple things the city has going for it :)

Too bad they didn't pick Anaheim. I'm sure us West Coast folks would have loved to have it here for a change.

The only one I've ever been able to attend was St. Louis several years back and it was great (had a baseball card of me in a Cubs Uniform printed :))

Whats up with the Chicago, Cleveland, Chicago, Cleveland thing?

I'm with Leon - a Texas in there somewhere would have been nice as the entire nation is currently migrating towards it.

Yeah, the nation of Mexico.

You know why Texas is so big? Because you can't cram all those trailers into Rhode Island.

Colorado secession is laughable. They are land-locked.

Texas has the Gulf coast with multiple ports. We are good to go.

I 2nd the New Orleans proposal.

You will not get enough people to NO
 

During the peak of the hobby, there were almost no stores or dealers in New Orleans or Louisana. Do you think there are more now? We'd have a nice dealer to dealer show there, but shoot, we're better off in Dallas at the Convention Center or the Market Hall then in New Orleans.

And for the middle days of the show, I'd carpool down with Leon :D

Rich