National Rescheduled?
 

I was reading on FB yesterday people talking about the National Convention being rescheduled to December in Atlantic City. Has anyone else heard anything about this? Currently the convention center is being used as a make shift hospital with Covid patients. I guess the powers to be will have to make a decision sooner than later. Any thoughts?

Bob

Discussed on another post
 

I believe the last "new" information there was a decision would be announced by May 15th.

A December national would be nice. My family doesn't need gifts.

That would be tempting.

I live 30 min awau lbi beach not going

We are still 2-3 months away from the national with things already showing signs of easing.. my best guess is it will be left on....

December?

See you next year.

There is a 65 post thread on Blowout about this, but no proof posted. Was supposedly by someone who heard it from someone on the planning committee. They would probably have to confirm it with the major corporate entities (Topps, Panini, Auctionhouses, Graders) to get their agreement before informing the public. So it may be in discussion talks, but I don't think it has been decided yet.

News just broke on Twitter

December 12-16

https://twitter.com/nsccshow/status/...F2020-national

December on the boardwalk......brrrrr.

Saturday to Wednesday. How many dealers will still be set up by end of day Monday let alone Wednesday. Plus it is also during Hanukkah which is from Dec 11-18. Should be interesting.

I would also add the Philly Show is the weekend before, Dec 4-6.

My years of deluded wishful thinking have me hoping this will be the catalyst for a winter SoCal National. Less than 2 weeks before Xmas in the NE makes zero sense to me.

Oh right. With that being said I will more than likely skip the National this year and just attend the Philly show. Many of the same dealers I look for anyway, an hour less drive and cheaper admission.

Amen to that!

Wow
 

I think that would be a bad move for the NSCC - I really want the A/C show because its in my backyard, but given the circumstances and options I think they should just cancel it.

Fall Philly Shows
 

I predict that a lot of big "National" dealers will show up in the earlier and warmer Valley Forge PA autumn shows like never before , rather than a December Atlantic City longshot...it just makes good business sense this year...

..

I do some coordination and event planning. I have had four big events cancelled. You are have to just to take the dates the venues have to offer.

I doubt they would be able to squeeze in many more dealers into the room where the Philly Show is currently. My guess is they might be able to squeeze in another 10 tables but that would probably be pushing it.

What they should do is make the Valley Forge show the National (use the same dates starting Dec 4), but move it to a large facility in Philadelphia such as the downtown Philadelphia Convention Center. Work out any union issues with that convention center in these circumstances. This might jumpstart that the National could be in Philadelphia in the summer in future years.

Health Is Always Number One
 

Yes, I know it is a cliche. I never had any plans to attend AC. They did the right thing. As we all know, it is about getting a vaccine and from what I have heard on the news, that won't be until early next year at the earliest. The race is on!

Except there's a waiting list to get into Philly.

Dec.12-Dec.16 is a Satuday-thru Wednesday show. Could be interesting?

Guess they dont realize, come Labor Day, Atlantic City pretty much shuts down. Not to mention weather events, climate, etc


Insert chimpanzee photo!

Outside of the National what are the shows around the country that are fairly large and worth attending (assuming they aren’t cancelled)? I live in Chicago and routinely hit those but where else should I consider? FYI....I only collect vintage

It figures - the one year I could easily drive to The National we have a pandemic and the powers that be decide to reschedule to mid-December.

Like Octavio, I have a house at the Jersey shore and Winter months down here can be brutal. Biting, cold winds. I won't make any effort to go.

There are several reason why a December national “could” flop. First, the regular flu season typically begins in November. This year, however, we could face a regular flu and returning Coronavirus season. Who will want to increase their expose just to purchase sports cards?

Secondly, attending the national typically requires missing work, and using vacation days. Most people, however, use vacation time around Christmas and the New Year. I don’t see individuals using all their vacation time in December between the national and holiday season. Although most immediate family members have recently spent quality time together, I doubt people will chose to use their vacation time for the national over family holiday time.

Third, the nation is two weeks before Christmas. I doubt people will want to spend the money. Attending the national requires airfare, hotel, food, and entry fees. Plus, the card budget. I doubt people will want to incur all these expenses during the same time they normally spend a lot on regular Christmas gifts.

Fourth, a lot of people have lost their jobs or fear they may lose their jobs. The national is a luxury that people may forgo. Although it is an experience, the cards are typically overpriced.

Fifth, it is during Hanukkah which will reduce some attendees. Sixth, who really wants to travel to Atlantic City in December.

I’m probably in the minority and will catch heck here, but just cancel the national already. Just have a 2021 blowout national.

The cynic in me thinks this is just a way for the show to charge dealers for table fees in 2020 - they have to know no one is going to a Sat-Wed show in December in Atlantic City.

Just as an FYI, Chanukah is not a super important Jewish Holiday in terms of religious significance. It is obviously important in terms of fun times and presents. But among the reasons noted here for not going to AC in December, Chanukah is way down on that list and not really a factor.

Rich

There are some people saying that they won't have annual leave from their job to attend something like this; I think the opposite is true. The guys I all work with will have 5-7 weeks of required Use-or-Lose and we're already starting to plan to have almost no senior employees in the office most of November and December. People who have been at home for months unable to take trips will be ready to travel somewhere, presuming it does actually happen and the virus has either petered out by then or the virus development/approval/production/delivery happens on a schedule prior to December.

Agree with Rich. I still think it's going to be a horrible turnout, if they still have it then.

This show will have an incredible turnout on Saturday and Sunday. The casino's will have the sports book and NFL will be going on. Great time to get out of town and spend some money since summer vacations have been ruined.

FWIW...here are some cities I would consider going to...
Atlanta
Miami
Las Vegas
Dallas
New Orleans
LA
Austin

I guess most of the people on here are in the NE. Someone should start a poll asking what region people are from.

Everyone on the board seems to view the national thru the prism of cardboard and not autographs. I would assume that a show in AC brings more people to get Eagles, Phillies, Yankees, NY Giants, Jets autographs than folks hunting for cardboard. How does the autograph game survive in this environment. I have no idea. Have a hard time seeing players in their 60s and 70s flying to shows (anywhere) and then buddying up to complete strangers for photos, etc. Are people going to pay for autographs with basically no interaction with signer.

By the way, those talking about biting cold in NJ in December are off base. I bet mid December last 3 years was probably in the high 50s if not higher than that. Don't get cold around here any more until end of January- early Feb.

Agree that if its during football season and the casinos are open again may attract a lot of people looking to blow off some steam. Not everyone going to the show is an old man hunting for that rare Polar Bear back. Some younger guys could go to AC and party hearty and watch some football.

Having said that, I think the organizers will cancel 2020 for good. Don't think they could possibly get the foot traffic (never mind air traffic) to warrant it, and I think the autograph piece will fall apart.

Agree
 

Def will be going. Will be a little cold but I am sure lots of people will still be able to enjoy the amenities.

It will never happen, but LOVED the idea
 

Of partnering with the Philly show and move to larger venue for this 1 time combined event! That would be playing to a lot of strengths and not potentially cannibalizing either crowd.

Well I figured it was going to be cancelled, but I am glad there is a chance for December. I will be set up there and yes the crowd will be down and most likely some dealers will not set up, but I think it will still work and will be a great National.

I’m glad it is still happening. I live in CT so I can’t make the shows in the Midwest

Since it's Atlantic City, does anybody want to start taking odds on:

* IF the pandemic environment doesn't prevent it (3 -1)
* IF it's allowed, will the attendance be above or below 33% of normal (over/under)
* What percentage of people give the reason as NO-shows because of germ-phobia or because it's FLU season and people are just going to be hacking and weezing because it's just that time of year. (over/under 75%)
* IF it's cancelled due to weather (1-4)
* IF dealers sign-up for "pandemic stimulus" cash from the government (ok, no odds on this one because it should be about 0%).

I get it, most of the big dealers are on the east coast and hate traveling to the west side of the states but can't they at least make it closer to the west coast at least ONCE a decade? Oh yeah, did I mention southwest like LA, Orange County or San Diego. Yeah - now I'm gonna get crap from the people in SFO, SEA, PDX, DEN and PHX.

Fred You forgot Boston---It would be Great there but will never happen.

Don,

The only Boston I could find in California is "Boston Ravine" in Grass Valley, California. I guess that doesn't fall in the category of "southern" California. However it is about 30 miles north-east of the Sacramento airport so at least it's got that going. :p

Oh you're from Portland Maine - does that mean we'll be putting you down for $5 that the Atlantic City national is cancelled due to weather? :eek:

Just curious - why would it never happen in Boston? Great place!

Zero chance I go. Hopefully, Chicago in 2021.

From an exhibitor's standpoint, I applaud the NSCC Committee for postponing the show until December. They have given us HOPE in a tough time. They have also taken the decision away from the members who likely would have cancelled in droves and taken their one out of five decision.

Having set up at just about every large and small show in the eastern states, when I retired 3+ years ago from my full-time career, I have continued to set up every year at the National. I can't agree with some of you regarding the comparison between the Philly show and the National. Wake up: the Philly show has like 150 "tables" whereas the National has 550 "booths" (NOT counting the Corporate booths). Go online and check their layouts. If you are a serious collector still, you are doing yourself a disservice by just going to the Philly show. I would argue why not attend both? Yeah you will see 50-75 of the same dealers, but think of what you are really missing.

The facts remain the same: The Philly show, the Boston show, and even the White Plains show are pretty much NOT events like the National, they are just larger baseball card shows. I have cut out setting up at all of those shows -- mainly because I make more money on the set-up and first day of the National then I make all weekend on each of those shows. Why should I set up and see the same people at every one of those shows, every single time I set up. The national gets many of the regulars too, but there is an entirely different group beyond those regulars that attend a National. Often, seven out of ten people, I have never seen before, or have not seen them in years.

Although I would like to see some variety of locations for the National -- and I have already said that many times before. Being located on the east coast, I do prefer somewhere I can drive to in 15 hours or less, but I might consider some other locations that might take longer to get to rather than opt out of the show.

Yes, the National may still get cancelled this year, but for the time being, I have some HOPE that it will be held just at a later date.

Steve

P.S - From above, I also agree that early to mid-Dec. temperature has been quite good in recent years, and 40's/50's is just not cold.

In fact the high temperature in Atlantic City in December 2019 on those five days last year was: 39, 58, 60, 54 and 43. Not beach weather but definitely boardwalk weather.

unless there's a vaccine by December, will not be in attendance either

Me neither.

A December show in Atlantic City is perfect.

I'll DEFINITELY be there if the show happens....

As AC has been my long time go to spot for the beach/sun, it is a bummer I couldn’t have combined a beach trip with a convention one. Luckily however, I am lucky to say that all of my loved ones are safe and healthy at the moment. I realize that right there is a blessing to be recognized. I wish good health to everyone and there families as well!

Curt

:)