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.
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