Chicago
 

Good for me 30 minutes from my house!!!

Indianapolis would be a great host city. Lots of dining close to the convention center, and well, it is the "crossroads of America!" If not Indy, then I'm glad the National is in Chicago the next 3 years. I'd estimate that 1/3 to 1/2 of the people were without Wi-Fi in Cleveland, there were NO water fountains that I could find in the IX exhibition halls, and even if you left for the show early, you would hit bad traffic even on days that you thought attendance might be lighter (Wed. and Thursday). Parking lots were chaos---there was nobody directing traffic until you got to the main road (outside of the parking lot). On the plus side, the temperature was fairly pleasant despite the mass of humanity at the show. Yeah, I know the Chicago show had issues with the temp, but all in all, I liked the Chicago shows better because things seem much more organized and less stressful to attend, at least for me.

Chicago three years in a row is very disappointing to me. I was robbed at the last convention I attended in Chicago, in front of my downtown hotel. I've been to Chicago dozens of times for sporting events, work or visiting friends, but I try to do everything I can to avoid it now.

I've been to conventions in Louisville many times working a booth for my company and it would be an incredible location for the National. The most recent event hosted 877 vendors. Of all the convention centers I've been to it is the best by far.

Cleveland would be my first choice because of location to me. It had some struggles this year, but overall I would give it a thumbs up.

Interesting discussion. Especially, that the National could outgrow Chicago....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEYqVBl5iGY

The thing I can’t understand is why they only let dealers vote on the city. It seems to me that no matter where it is, the national would have no problem selling it out. I wish that both dealers and attendees got to vote, as regardless of your reason for going, we all spend a small fortune to go. Seems only fair to me.

After the size of the attendance we just saw in Cleveland and what seems to be an expected, continued increase in attendance, I wonder if the Stephens Center in Chicago will even be able to handle.

Agree. I linked this video on a different thread. The 2nd half of the discussion was really informative.

All of these venues (IX Center, Stephens Center, etc,...) would be fine if the crowd hadn't increased so much post Covid. It's outgrown all of these venues. That's why I suggested they move it to the McCormick Place in downtown Chicago.

Sorry, but this is lazy.

Hopefully there will be air conditioning.

I sure hope not. That venue is an absoulte cesspool and needs to be permanently taken out of consideration.

Total cesspool, agreed. But much better than Cleveland due to connected hotels and access to restaurants, etc. Which is sad lol.

I was actually considering amending my post to comment about how I'd gladly trade the convenience of the complex for some extra driving if only it meant a decent venue. The parking fiasco in Cleveland this year almost has me eating my words, but I just abhor the Stephens Center so much.

Cleveland as a city ranks near the bottom for me, yet the IX Center has historically been a great venue for a show layout and is thankfully far removed from the scuz. It's been an affordable area as well. Chicagoland is a mixture of wonderful and horrid and everything in between, but always lots to do for any taste, interest or occasion. Always an inordinate amount of driving involved between all the points of interest. Such a sprawling metropolis.

Same old same old. Can we get some new blood on the National Board?

Went to my one and only Nationals about 2013ish in Chicago. Glad I went to experience it but never felt the need to go back. My boy is 14 now and really wants to go to one so I guess Ill be up there again next year. I can only imagine how many more people will be there this time then last time and thought there were more then enough back then.