I too attended my first National. I did attend what I think was called FanFest in Philadelphia several years back which was an amazing thing to attend.
I did attend two days but unfortunately, I am unemployed and do not have funds to purchase much of anything. I did however, finally get this authenticated. I wanted to drive to SGC several months ago but they moved to Florida right before I have the chance to make the drive.
I thought the show was good. A mix of old and new.....even though I prefer the older stuff. The unopened from BBCE wax amazing. If I only had an extra $89,000.00 laying around, I would have bought that unopened 1971 Baseball box. But those Old Judge cards from an Arizona Find (I think) were just amazing. One day, I will own an Old Judge...........
Anyway, yes my first National also, and hopefully not my last.
Robert