Thoughts on Atlantic City 2016
 

Who's Going? Who's Not? Who thinks A.C. is a terrible place to have the Show?

Hope to make it. Glad it will be back to the East Coast.

AC in 2016
 

I definitely plan on going with my wife. I haven't been to a national in at least five years.

Since I have never been to any other National I have no basis for comparison in terms of which is a better venue. All I know is it's a short drive from my house in south Jersey, so that makes it wonderfully accessible to me. Unless there is some scheduling conflict, I'll likely be there at least for one full day.

I'm excited to have one on the east coast again...as of now, I plan to go...a little blackjack and roulette thrown in the mix never hurt anyone.

It seems some dealers are concerned the cash will be flowing to the wrong kind of tables. Not singling out you specifically, more the collecting public in general.

I am planning on attending my first National next year. I know AC isn't what it use to be, but I think it should attract a high attendance, especially on the east coast.

I think it will be a great time!! Hopefully, I'll get to meet a lot of the folks I chat with on the board, and finally put a face to them. :)

Tony

Too far for West Coasters, will be going to Vegas that week instead.

I'll be there and going to my first national. I don't see what dealers have to complain about. AC is the place to be for a buyer. People at the show are going to need slot money and when you lose big, you get desperate for cash. And if you win big, it burns a hole in your pocket. Seems like a dream come true for any dealer.

R u kidding???????
 

It's going to be AWESOME! my first national...meeting all my net 54 friends.......

JERSEY STRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)


debut of "The Circus"...


..gambling........shows......food......boardwalk.. ..

lions, and tigers, and bears, OH MY:D

Will definitely skip it. I was warned that Cleveland would be awful for dealers, but I went anyway and took a bath financially. It was still very positive because of all the interaction with other collectors, and it was a fantastic road trip.

I can't drive all the way to Atlantic City, and from what I've heard it is not a great thing for dealers.

I'll be there - two hours from the house!

I'm giving the trip serious consideration as it is a reasonable car or train ride from DC. Maybe even confuse my wife to join me if we can find something to do with Daisy (our French bulldog who brings new meaning to the term "frisky").

I cant wait as a dealer, one of the few times I can drive to a National from Maine---I did hear some dealers will not do it due to no direct flights into AC----they have to fly to Philly or NY and then rent a car do get their goods there.--But I cant wait---I feel there will be a large crowd since East Coast Collectors will be able to drive From New England, NY , Pa. etc.----

i have a house in long beach island 30 min away will be there in a heartbeat.just dont venture to the seedy part of town not worth it .

I hate to say it but probably gonna have to sit out next year's National. Too far to drive from where I live.

No Atlantic City for me. The logistics are too difficult, just like Cleveland. See you in Chicago 2017! They should just have it there every year. :D

I have my own beliefs about AC -- there are plenty of pros and cons. I advise everyone to think objectively and make up their own minds

Sounds like too much work Rich, someone just tell me what to do.

Will be my first National and really looking forward to it!

I have never been to a national and hope to go but will decide closer to the date. I live on the west coast. Do they ever have the national show out this way?

I'm never quite sure what I'm going to do tomorrow :rolleyes:, let along next year. However, being a Jersey-Boy, I'd like to make it.

Johnny:

"R u kidding???????"


If you meant it on purpose, I get the Rutgers connection, if not I'll make it:

"We R !!!! -- RU ????"

not going...I may be done with nationals...time will tell.

I've never been to a National and being that I reside in New Jersey, 2016 will be my first and I am looking forward to it.

I'll go when it comes to this side of the Rockies, which I realize will be never. I can't help but wonder if the promoters bowed to pressure from Tri-state dealers to have in NJ. Only people from Jersey would think AC is a good idea :)

Edited to add a smiley face so no one jumps down my throat for perceived slights

I've never been, but this is not too far of a drive from MA, so I'm thinking this will be my first national.

Will definitely be going for a day. Atlantic City may be Detroit with sand, but the area by the Convention Center is fine.

I got word today that I will have a booth for next years' National. Even though I've set for the last 5 years at the East Coast National, this will be the first time I am doing the National. I am looking forward seeing many of my former buyers that bought T206 cards from me on e-bay over the years & current members on net 54. I hope Rich Klein you make it at the National. I have not seen you in the last 10 years, & I always considered you one of the best in the business & a good friend when you lived in Jersey years ago.

Why do people not like Atlantic City? Is it just because of airports and no direct flights? Or is there something I'm missing?

I will probably still go but picking a city that you cannot even directly fly into seems pretty silly to me.

Not looking forward to a flight and then driving to get to Atlantic City. Also, I would never go there if it wasn't for the show.

Atlantic City
 

I hope that I'll be able to attend the Atlantic City National in 2016.

It's a year away so we'll see. If I am lucky enough to attend, it will be my 5th National.

Went to my first one in Cleveland in 1997 which was amazing. Remember picking up some nice S74 silks and M116s.

My 2nd National was Atlanta in 1999, where I came home with about $300 more in my pocket. It was a good selling National but not for buying.

My 3rd Natiional was in Atlantic City in 2003. Remember the highlight was trading a Johnny Kling W600 Sporting life Cabinet for a nice Roger Bresnahan Novelty Cutlery Postcard which I have since sold.

My 4th National was Baltimore in 2012, which is probably my favorite National so far. Picked up a nice Claude Berry HRK and a Mitze D310 Pacific Coast Biscuit.

As others have said in the past, The National is many times more about seeing old collecting friends than finding cards and memorabilia.


Patrick

I was there once many years ago for the national. Don't recall the year( in the 80's mid to late) remember the Trump hotel was not done yet to but i was young lol
Wish it would come to the west coast at some point
From what i recall it was a good show, and the dealer i was helping back then he put the cash in his shoes till we walked back to our hotel.

No direct flights is one of the main reasons. Also, no major league sports teams is a turn-off for me. I like to go to baseball games during my National trips. (Wrigley/Camden Yards, etc)

I've heard, but not experienced 1st hand that there is a lack of parking near the Convention Center and the hotels are pricey on the weekends.

A true "National" collector's event, should be rotated evenly over time...East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, South, etc...a decade of Chicago, Cleveland, Chicago, Chicago, Cleveland, Chicago, BALTIMORE, Chicago, Cleveland, ATLANTIC CITY, Chicago, etc...isn't exactly evenly rotated. There has to be great venues in other parts of the country.

I'd love to see Los Angeles, NYC, Dallas, etc. added to the mix...I am excited about AC, and happy to see that they are trying to mix it up. Will be fun.

For those that went to the Anaheim CA show was it good/bad?

I will definitely be there for a day or two. In fact, I think we should all plan on visiting our friend, Octavio on Long Beach Island. I am sure that he wouldn't mind a couple of hundred guests. LOL.

It'll be my first national and if I roll'em well I hoping to buy something big!!

Tom no issues its a big house

Hi A.J.
I did go to the Anaheim National. Found it to be great as a collector. Not sure what the dealers would say.
Hope it returns to this side of the US one of these years.
Plenty of things to do for the families as well in Southern California

+1

Currently, it's the equivilant of having the Super Bowl in the same 3 cities over and over. It would motivate me a lot more to so to, say, Chicago, if I knew it wasn't going to go back there for another 10 years. It's like that overpriced card you really want on eBay....some day you might pull the trigger, but it's not going anywhere so no need for any urgencey.

Seattle doesn't need any more congestion, but Portland could be really cool, as well as NorCal.

While I was still living in SF I always wondered why the National never came out there. The Cow Palace hosts a huge Tristar show every year.

Its funny Atlantic City gets the nod for a National again, believe 2016 is their 3rd one.
Yet Las Vegas never gets consideration. Its much easier to fly to, there's a ton of hotels
a huge convention center, great food, an array of shows & concerts and a minor league club just off the strip.
Plenty for the family to do while you're at the card show.

I will be happy to bring a keg.

Atlantic City could be the worst possible location for the National. Either leave it in Chicago every year, or find some decent venues. Baltimore was great, but how about some place in Texas, Las Vegas, Anaheim or LA? Atlantic City is difficult to get to and a dying pit.

That's fine but there are better choices than Atlantic City IMO.

Chris, I do agree. Though I'm happy to have it on the east coast next year, and I am not one who minds that it is in AC...I do agree there has to be better choices on the east coast going forward.

I expect to be there, possibly even for a fourth night this time. All in all though, the location is not ideal.

St. Louis, Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Phoenix, Denver, etc are just a few places that I can think of which might serve as good venues....bright, sunny places with baseball teams (mostly) I realize some of these places have hosted a few years back.

Mark....
 

Don't laugh but go to this link:

http://www.bringfido.com/lodging/cit...ic_city_nj_us/

There are a few nice hotels in AC that are pet friendly and if that gets you all to AC then go baby go! :)

Peace, Mike

I can't help but wonder if the promoters have just gotten complacent. I mean, I know there's a ton of factors that go into where it's held, but vetting a new city and venue with new staff and convention center configurations to figure out must be a lot of work. Going back and forth between the same 3 cities seems like the easiest (and arguably laziest) way to do it as far as work for the promoters goes. If it ain't broke.....

Union?
 

I have been to an AC show WAY back when and I just remember that Union workers controlled what went into the show and when. They had to cart it in for you and I think they expected tips?

Please someone correct me if I'm off base as this was way back in High School and I worked for a dealer that did a big AC show and that sticks in my mind as being a bit uncomfortable since we could not bring our own stuff in. Union controlled the movements.

Has this changed?

Mike

As always, I will be close to the front door at booth 451. I have done all three of the New Jersey Nationals and have done decently at all of them. The same collectors make it to all of the Nationals for the largest selection of sports card merchandise every year. I don't expect that to change next year. I plan on making a large display of non sports and sports cards -- cards, unopened packs, boxes. empty boxes and uncut card sheets. I am on the prowl for more of the same so keep me in mind.

I plan on having a terrific show, and hope that many of the people who are considering not attending will change their mind. It is to their advantage to show up and see what we all have found during the current year. I am always on the search for new items. Don't miss out just because you have a bad feeling about A.C. If you put up a great display, you will do fine. The last 33 years of setting up at Nationals speak for themselves.

Thanks for making Chicago another great year for Mitch and me.

Steve Sabow
DynamicTwo@aol.com
914-522-3853 (Cell)

I hope that Johnny V's table is next to the Topps guys, I am dying to see which one will be louder. :D

I can't wait. I will be there for at least 3 of the days and am looking forward to the Net54 dinner.

Jeff

Now that was funny. :D

No chance I go. AC is a dump. Honestly, I don't know why anyone would want to go to that location or think it will be more successful than Cleveland. As far as I'm concerned, they might as well cancel the Nationals next year.

I will go and if Yankees are at Home or in Baltimore I will be happy to organize a small (20-50 folks) outing to the game (not on net 54 dinner night) for those who still enjoy going to a live playing of the best game ever invented. one thing A/C has is Lots of nice Buses. And one thing the AL east has is great Baseball.

Go. You can gamble there as well. Hopefully they approve sports betting by next summer.

I'm going for the full week, renting a place at the beach (Ocean City) and bringing the family.

Definitely going - it will be my first National.

There was a vote for the 2016 National between Anaheim and Atlantic City. Many of the dealers voted Atlantic City (which won the vote of course) since the dealers didn't want the west coast site. The reason Atlantic City was even considered in this last vote was because basically the National show promoters will pay next to nothing for the Atlantic City convention center for next years National. The 2003 National was horrible for dealers according to what most of the dealers honestly said. But, they were willing to try it again.

I personally think the Atlantic City show will be a total disaster, for a variety of reasons, many logistical. Most west coast collectors will not attend, so that will eliminate a lot of those collectors. I guess the one good thing is that most New Yorkers and Philly guys who went to the Baltimore shows by car or train, will definately drive or take a train to the Atlantic City show. So, the show will look very similar to the Baltimore National in terms of attendees.

I plan to be there the entire time. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/s...atdrink004.gif

Too lazy
 

Long drive and too cheap to fly. I'll pass on the 2016.

I initially thought about skipping next year, but changed my mind while at the Chicago show. I will be set up at table 153 in AC.

If this is as successful as the Baltimore and Cleveland venues were I will be one happy camper. I don't do this for a living like some do, so there is no pressure to sell X amount of dollars worth of material.

Haven't been in New Jersey since I was in the Navy and we off loaded ammunition at the Earl, NJ pier prior to decommissioning the USS Wasp in 1972.

I'm going with a jersey friend, going to hit the craps tables. He said I'm on my own for the baseball cards.

AC is a terrible choice for a National. Even if you're in Philadelphia or New York, it's a 2-hour commute; from anywhere else, it's a full day trip. And then you're in AC.

I griped on another thread about how badly this event is run. If you need proof, this location is it. The guys running this event have become greedy and clueless.

Bill

AC is about a five hour drive from where I live. If I can get the time off of work I'll definitely be there.

Well, I moved from NJ to Florida in the middle of 2015, just in time for the National to come to AC in 2016. I won't bother making the trip, things should have worked out better for me to have stayed in NJ..........

You guys do know that there is an airport in A.C., right?

I just checked. I can fly from Fort Lauderdale nonstop to AC for $176 roundtrip.

you guys are nuts!
 

AC will be great! just show up!:D

National
 

It seems all the people that are happy live on the East coast.
To be quite honest, I think its a shame it isn't centrally located
so its at least located where more people can get to it in a reasonable
time.
It seems short sited to place it on either coast. But then, you have all
these people that say they will be going, so maybe they will make up
for the people that won't???

Hey Robert. My first National was at Atlanta, Georgia in 1992, and it was a cool show. Not a bad place to go and then can see the Braves play. Not sure why avoidance of the south.

Apparently to organizers of "The National", baseball card collecting does not exist west of the Mississippi. No Nationals nearby through 2019..... Did Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, or Seattle run out of convention spaces available? Oh well, rather go to the twice annual WSSCA show anyway! No loudspeakers, other than the raised voices of excited collectors :)

I was at a mid size show two weeks ago in Raleigh NC. A lot of the dealers there were headed to Chicago for the National as soon as it was over. In talking to them I didn't find one dealer there who is a fixture at selling at the National that plans on going to Atlantic City next year. One dealer said it will be the first one he will miss since he started setting up and selling 22 years ago. The reasons? No good flights (as mentioned), terrible family city, poor security during last one, tables way too expensive when the promoters got a "steal on the venue", expensive accommodations, etc.
I've never been to a National but would love to cast my vote to bring it down south for all us neglected collectors.:D
Drew

How far out is the National 's location decided? Do we know yet where it will be held in 2017?

I would love to see it a little further south of course, just like those close to NJ are pleased about AC. I wish it were rotated in some of the cities I suggested (which would give folks in all parts of the country home field advantage every once in awhile ) from year to year or located in the same central location every year.

Chicago

Will definitely be there, the National is what you make it, it stinks there is no Major League Baseball team there but otherwise if you are going for the show you will love it.

Thanks, that's a while away but I hope to be there!

Here's why... 50% of the U.S. population lives within 500 miles of Columbus Ohio. That's why there's the general alternating between Chicago and Cleveland... And why the west coast won't (regularly) get it.
http://homes-columbus.com/2012/03/7-...columbus-ohio/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Erick, great info. I did not realize Ohio was the center of the universe ;)

I will most likely go because it is the national and all. I live in New Jersey and can find very few reasons to make the two hour drive to AC. Ever. Absolute hole of a town. Makes Camden look like Sesame Street.

Tom C