Posted By:
Mark EvansI likewise am disappointed with the decreased size and quality of regional shows. I regularly attend the Chantilly show which used to be much larger and include Levi Bleam as well as other major dealers. It's no secret that the internet, especially eBay, has taken its toll on such shows, which now appear to survive largely due to autograph guests. In the absence of a novel marketing strategy, I'm inclined to think that the days of the large, vibrant regional shows are behind us.
If the idea of a collectors' association is to materialize, I don't think it will happen spontaneously. Instead, I think it will require someone with entrepreneurial spirit, and leadership and organizational skills, to reach out to collectors, especially those with a significant financial stake, and offer a detailed proposal to redress the ills of the hobby as detailed in other threads. While I'm not that guy, I would be pleased to offer part-time assistance (so as not to cut too deeply into golf and my other retirement activities). And, I work cheap, at least until I figure out what I'm doing.
Looking forward to dinner. Mark