So what will you do different at next years National?
 

My biggest change for Cleveland, next year, is that I want to stay at least a couple nights, not the drive there and back in a day. This year I only had Wednesday and I went way too fast, talked to few and really missed out on seeing some people as I was like a pogo-stick from table to table in my own little world. I do like my own little world, but would have liked to meet and catch up with some folks. With more time next year I will be able to go thru more cards, cards just to look at and be able just to take the whole thing in.

Any changes for anyone else?

Bring more money?

Never been to a National in Cleveland. What are some of the nicer hotels that are close or connected to the Convention Center?

Will visit the Rock n Roll Museum this time :)

the only thing I will do differently would be to actually leave the vicinity of the national and explore!

I'll start off by GOING! I loved seeing and hearing everyone's adventures

I'm in the same boat - next year will be the first year that I attend the National.

This was my first year going and I went Friday and Saturday. Next year thinking of going Wed-Fri instead. Also next year Im going to throw more offers to people with high prices on there cards. Friday I just put them down or walked away when I got a price that was double its worth, but Saturday I made offers and it worked some and bombed other times but worth it overall.

I would love to be there next year. I'm going to the East Coast National next week, but it's nothing in comparison. Cleveland is a weird city. I've never seen so many buildings boarded up in what is suppsoed to be downtown. But I'd like to be there all the same.

I won't bring so much cash next time either...as I hardly spent any!!!!!:D

I agree with this!! Before last year, I had always done 1 day trips. Since Baltimore was farther, I went for 2 1/2 days and had a blast. This year I went Wed-Fri and part of Saturday and loved it. Next year will be similar, but with hopefully more money!

Another cool thing someone new I met told me was that someone put up a sign in the hotel lobby that there would be a B/S/T meet up at 9 pm. It was well attended and everyone had fun. They were collectors of newer cards, so it probably wouldn't be a highlight for the vintage collectors, but a good idea.

7/30 - 8/3 2014!!! Can't wait. First one in 7 years for me? Ouch. My son's first National! Countdown set.

From experience. I'll bring a large cooler in the car. Lots of water and good walking shoes. Saving up as we speak...

I managed to hit up both the Institute of Art and the Field Museum last weekend. It made for quite a hectic schedule, as each one took the entire morning, and then the convention, dinners, etc. But it was well worth it and added a new dimension to the trip.

Not sure whether I will make it to Cleveland, but I would recommend to everyone to try to take advantage of the city as well as the convention. Especially with the Rock n Roll HOF there. That would be a sight worth seeing!

Ten years ago I went to one of these in Chicago, stayed downtown and went out to hear live blues every night. I bought a bunch of nice cards, met a bunch of forum members, but was otherwise bored after the first full day of walking the convention center floor non-stop.

This year I stayed at the Hilton, was only downtown for lunch on Wednesday, and spent two of the days sitting and relaxing - it was much better this time around. These conventions are generally so far from whichever city they are supposedly associated with, that you might as well pretend like the city itself doesn't exist.

Not sure what I will do differently next time, but I will not fly in on a red-eye.

I agree with Scott in that after spending the whole day walking the floor Friday...not only were my feet killing me but I had had enough!!! Spent a few hours Sat looking at the same stuff again...before returning to my hotel to relax until nighttime.

i will try and get a booth. i heard that the dealers were trading amongst themselves before we were even allowed in.

i can't go having that.

kevin

Not me. I went to see live music after walking the show floor... :D

This would be interesting and the prices, in most cases, would be better than at the show. As someone else mentioned, dealers started setting up Tuesday morning and were already making deals......well before the 4pm Wednesday opening for the general public. To solve that problem, I guess you could buy the '$2400 early buyers pass' (by purchasing a table).

Matt

If you want to relax in a hotel bar and enjoy conversations with friends and meet new acquaintances then Cleveland is made for you. If you wanted to get out and enjoy the night life and great places to see, you missed out by not going to Chicago.