Is anyone excited about the National?
 

On another discussion board, the topic of this year’s National came up. Some who were attending were excited, but a somewhat large percentage it seemed were not. Some attendees (even a dealer) said that it didn’t have the draw of previous Nationals. One said it felt like a “chore” going this year :(

For anyone going, are you excited? Was this just a one off sampling, or is something different this year?

I'm very excited. It's the first National for me. I'm looking forward to seeing a few people from the board and taking it all in.

I understand the feeling of things being a "chore." I think the commoditization of our hobby over the past couple of years, has soured some people or has simply made them feel burnt out. We're getting big time auctions, month in and month out apparently. Compound that with the Crypto/NFT nonsense and it can definitely turn people away. But people will come back, and the Hobby is strong.

I'm thinking of going for the first time and agree with this. Meeting some Net54 folks would be the biggest reason I would go.

I am definitely excited. I look forward to it every year. I will be set up in Booth 657 with largely post-War vintage, all four major sports.

Quite honestly, I think a big part is people want to be disappointed by AC. If you've been reading this board for awhile there is no shortness to the "AC is hard to get to" or "AC is a dump" type comments. Those who think it is a chore want to have a reason to complaint and will blame their disappointment on it being in AC instead of Chicago, Cleveland, or their backyard. If you go in wanting to have a good time, you'll figure out a way to make that happen. Those who are excited are just happy to have the show and enjoy it regardless of where it is or whatever else is going on. Personally, I'm excited anytime I get to go.

Very excited.
I think there are folks who believe that if they keep complaining loud enough about AC it will fall off the slate somehow. Won’t happened.

Aside from the fact that NJ sellers and AHs have an oversized role in the hobby, AC is driveable for 1/3 of the nationals population. Let that sink in …..

Plus I could be wrong, but I remember reading somewhere the convention center gives the NSCC the room for free. Just to get people to fill the hotels.

I'm going with my son and both of us are excited - although we'd rather it was in Chicago.

Can't wait... have been looking forward to it for a long time. I was at the last National in AC in 2016 and had a great time.

My first time setting up independently so I am WAY excited. Please come by, say "hi" register for the auction and grab a T-shirt!

I'm going with my son and both of us are excited - although we'd rather it was in Chicago.[/QUOTE]

My son and I started going to the National in the late 1990’s when he was 7 or 8. We’ve gone almost every year since then, and he’s 30 now. Each show has been a blast — and we’re psyched for Atlantic City — but we agree with the gentleman who prefers Chicago.

I'm probably not going this year. Like I've been saying for awhile now, the novelty of attending the National is over. It's really just a large social meetup nowadays. And, the ones on here who say you want to meet other Net54 members, that will really be difficult with so many people at the show, unless you arrange beforehand to meet.
Attachment 524948

I am very excited. First timer. I am staying 3 nights and leaving Saturday afternoon. I am getting a few autos, adding to my T206, hopefully selling/trading my red cobb, maybe ripping a few boxes, meeting some Net54ers.. I cant think of a better way to spend a few hours than walking around a massive card show and then playing blackjack when bored.

Just booked my flight today. Never flown to a show so will have to control my buying as I have to lug it back!! Only staying Weds/Thurs nights and haven’t selected a place to stay. Figured I would at one of the casinos….any thoughts?

My first and I can't wait.

I did fine when I set up there last time, but it is too far to drive and I decided to take a skip year this time. Will go to Chicago next year if my health is still good.

I'm not going to bad mouth AC, it will be a fine national and I am glad that I experienced it the previous time.

Well, AC is off the slate as the NSCC wants the event in Chicago every year. Not even interested in Cleveland or AC. Let that sink in.

What's that info from?

I got back into collecting five years ago and this will be my first National. I live an hour away from AC so I am hoping to be there Thursday - Saturday.


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I book this in advance a while ago and I am looking forward to it.
Meeting people from the forum, enjoy some of the to do list from the previous thread and bringing my wife so in evening we will enjoy a little gamble, the board walk and the atmosphere of some of the hotels and or shows.
AC is closer for me than Chicago so makes it doable for me. The show should rotate around 3 or 4 venues in my opinion around the country so every corner as the opportunity every 3 or 4 years ago to get people that normally may no travel as far to go and perhaps that will help create more and new collectors or investors. Even though I know it will not happen

Live in long beach island 30 min away . Ill be there walking with my pitbull 😇😇

So Excited...can't wait. It's going to be a blast. I'm just very bummed out about SGC not doing on site grading, missing for the second year in a row :-(

You mean that vicious beast from your facebook posts? Is it safe to have him out in public :D

scott lol hope to say hi octavio what booth again are you holding court

Is anyone excited about the National?
 

Short answer... Yes.
Lisa and I will be at booth # 813 with our usual assortment of rare, interesting, unusual and eclectic stuff, as well as some conventional material... 19th century- pre WW1 baseball, boxing and other sports, as well as America and some non-sports.

Best,
Glenn

I always love your stuff, hope I get time to visit!

465, definitely have to come say hi!

Is anyone excited about the National?
 

Thanks Scott!
Hopefully I can stop by as well...
I suspect it may be difficult for both of us... I'm expecting as large and consistent a crowd as ever, in spite of some folks concerns!

I wish I were going...and I'm excited for y'all! I love the feeling of anticipation walking in for the first time of the year...major overstimulation. There's nothin' like it!

I'll be there Wednesday and Thursday, can't wait. To me it's like going to a museum to see stuff I haven't seen before and may not see again

I always look forward to the National. This year marks my 12th National as a dealer and they have all been a positive experience.

Sales are up or down mainly based on inventory and to a lesser extent location in the room but I have not been disappointed in any years.

Of course, I am not a full time dealer as I only set up at the National and the fall Boston show at the Shriner's venue.

AC is not my favorite venue due primarily to the ridiculous hotel rates on Friday and Saturday nights. Basically, the hotel cost is $500 for the week higher than Chicago or Cleveland for similar accommodations.

As to the earlier comment about the National only being in Chicago in future years, they work on a 3 year schedule and this year offered to the dealers the options of: Chicago/AC/Chicago, Chicago/Cleveland/Chicago, or Chicago/Chicago/Chicago for the next 3 years.

I have not heard the results of that poll but one of those 3 options will be in place for 2023-2025.

Randy that's great info! Will be interesting to see results. I myself, would vote for Chicago/Cleveland/Chicago but ideally would be Chicago/Dallas/Anaheim

I'm excited I am not going.

Unfortunately I've had to cancel my trip, was really looking forward to hanging out in NYC with a few collecting friends and then heading down for the week. Living in Canada I don't have access to many shows, it's the one event I look forward to all year. :(:(

The National is going to end up being in Chicago every year. :(

I am excited to be there for 2 days! AC is the most convenient site for me other than when it was held in Baltimore. Bringing my son also - it will be his second time at a National - his first was at the last National held in AC.

Somewhat near the middle of the country isn't the worst idea ever.

I wouldn't be shocked if they eventually bring Cleveland back into the mix. A new group came along to take over leasing the IX Center from the City of Cleveland, and is already back to operating it for various shows that were held there before the pandemic hit. They did take out the ferris wheel though. My understanding is it may have had to do with insurance issues.

nscc

I threw away my ballot. I figure they will do what they want anyway. I would have voted Chicago/Cleveland/Chicago as well.

Dallas has a regular 600 table show now, so not as much urgency there, Surely with the population of Southern California they could have a regular show that pushes 600 tables.

AC hotel rooms on weekends in summer are def overpriced. Have to book six months in advance to get a $200 room at a decent place. That has to be a drag for people in business trying to turn a profit.

From Philly, it's a 1-1/2 hour drive, I should be there Friday and Saturday. I was thinking of finding a cheap place halfway from Philly to make the drive easier Saturday morning.

Saw this about the National in another forum

"Collectors used to have the cards in their pockets, then in bookbags, now in secured suitcases. Things have changed"

National
 

I don’t think it’s that out of line if I compare rates in Boston, Portland Maine, and Portsmouth New Hampshire. All vacation spots and over 200 per night on the weekend.

The National is a great time every year. I think the positive experience far outweighs the costs associated. I might be bias since I am on the east coast. I would happily travel to the west coast for the show.

Have a great time at the show everyone!

Needed three rooms for 5 nights. Wound up renting a condo is was over $1000 cheaper.

That is the way to do it. I have been renting condos and houses for many years instead of hotels.

Next month I am going to the Shaw Classic in Colorado. I rented a nice house in a great location with a fenced yard with a grill and fire pit for the same money as staying in a dumpy Motel 6.

I think the Dallas show is 5 or 6 times a year too. Houston has twice the population and just reduced their big show to once a year. I'd think a National in Houston would probably be cheaper and nearly as easy to get to.

I guess it also depends on what your plans and/or wants are. I decided to go with the hotel for the boardwalk, the gambling , the shows after the convention each day. My wife is going with me so it is a mini escape and time away from the kids

I for one, am excited to go and meet with many online friends.

Just like 2016 did, this National will bring lots of collectors from the east coast, some from the middle of the country, and few from the west coast.

national
 

looking forward to it .. my 5th time ... 1st at AC
will be there until Saturday ...
Hope to meet several of you .

50-Post Rule
 

..In keeping with the 50-post rule for showing a pre-war card :


...http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/204295...CCOHEN_NEW.JPG

This will be my 4th National but first in 4 years so heck yeah I'm excited! Covid ruined the past two years and honestly covid is on the rise big time right now so I fully expect to finally get the vid and have a mass outbreak linked to the National. Even so I'm looking forward to it. If your going just assume your going to get it. :(

I don't care too much about what is outside of the show as far as attractions, how nice the area is, etc. because my main focus is on the cards and talking with people collecting post-war vintage.

The main thing for me is how much space a venue has for people to spread out and see everything on the tables and in that aspect Cleveland wins hands down, followed by AC, and lastly Chicago. If you have to look around people to see cards in showcases, how fun is that? So I'm hopeful it gets back to Cleveland every 3rd year. Cleveland is so massive that they could expand the number of dealers by 30% and still have plenty of space.

Cleveland could probably expand by well more than 30%. Those curtains on the northern side of the IX Center's main floor weren't there to cover up blank walls. There were there to cut off the room to only the space they needed. They didn't want to have all the extra space just open. They probably need to limit the number of exhibitors so it doesn't exceed the number that can be fit into the other smaller venues they've held the National at. Doubt that would go over well with a lot of dealers if they opened the National up to many more of them in Cleveland, and then had to boot a lot of them out in subsequent years because they couldn't fit them into the Chicago, AC, or other venues.

And there are multiple floors to the IX Center as well. Years ago I seem to remember Tri-Star hosting a large autograph oriented show on the first sub-level, as the main floor was too big and would make the show seem more like some kids running a lemonade stand in a Walmart parking lot. They could literally give the various groups, autograph area/pavilion, breaker's area/pavilion, AHs or TPGs, their own room(s) if you will.

"The Nationals"

I am going for the first time in some years, since I am in NY for a bit and can get down there. how can you not be excited to go to a National? get to see so many great cards and memorabilia in person. hopefully I can find a few things I need to finish some sets. sure will be better than other random summer days.

I can't wait!!! It's within driving distance for me so really enjoy not having to deal with the airport, etc this year. The last time it was in AC I was there as well and thought the show and city was just fine.

But I'd probably go if the Natty was in Des Moines, Iowa so I'm probably not normal, LOL.

jeff

Nat
 

Oh yes, going

I was super excited to get to my first National. I live in Ocean County, NJ so it's a real nice little day trip for me.

That said, with the recent Covid numbers and me being a few weeks short of 74, although vaccinated and boosted, I just don't think it's worth the risk.

For everyone who gets there have a great one!

You know you're going to leave me with no one to say "How the Hell are you?"

The dealers do get a chance to vote on going to Houston and frankly although it's driving distance for me, who in the heck wants to go to Houston during the middle of the summer.

Rich

If Houston is being considered then why not Orlando, FL or West Palm Beach, which has a beautiful new convention Center, loads of fine hotel and restaurants and easy access.

Yeah...This Summer has been especially miserable. But Houston hosts every other thing, so why not the National? It's not like you go to the National to sit outside.

True... but I would insert the word "very" in front of "few".

Always and I have a fun train trip planned to get their.

I don't care where it is, I wish I could go this year, but I can't. Best wishes to everyone who attends.

I'm very excited!

counting the hours ……

If you're a collector and you love cardboard, and you're going to attend the National, how can one not be excited? :D

There's nothing like walking into a National the first day you're there. If you're dead to it, you must be dead to the hobby.

When is the earliest you can go ? Wednesday afternoon?

Hank
 

Well said!

Please send me your address. I would like to return the Walter Johnson book you gave me to read in Chantilly.

Toby

Hi Toby,
Was it my book, or the Roger Treat book, I can't remember anything these days. In either case, you are welcome to keep it or pass it on to someone else.

Tuesday is dealer set up. I've heard that's the day on the down low where lots of good stuff get's purchased/traded among dealers and those lucky enough to have a dealer's badge.

Have been selling my dupes for weeks trying to build a kitty to buy like crazy at the National - really excited and appreciate the advice from all.

Slightly off topic question - my daughter has a high-grade Pokémon card that she has asked me to help her sell... think there will be any opportunity to sell it in AC? It's probably a $400-500 card, I'm told.

Thanks - see you in AC!

Jeff

I'd say extremely likely there will be a reasonably deep Pokemon contingent.


QUOTE=Belfast1933;2245668]Have been selling my dupes for weeks trying to build a kitty to buy like crazy at the National - really excited and appreciate the advice from all.

Slightly off topic question - my daughter has a high-grade Pokémon card that she has asked me to help her sell... think there will be any opportunity to sell it in AC? It's probably a $400-500 card, I'm told.

Thanks - see you in AC!

Jeff[/QUOTE]