Posted By:
Brian McQueenThe dinner was terrific. Thank you again, Leon and SGC, who helped arrange the event for everyone to enjoy. I was finally able to meet so many outstanding individuals that I've worked with over the past few years. I won't even bother listing names as there were way too many of you and I'd forget to mention at least a dozen! It was really an enjoyable time and my only regret is that I couldn't stay longer and make it around to talk to everyone a little more than I did.
As for the show itself, I did manage to make it from one end to the other in just about a day's time. So everyone was correct, you do need at least 7-8 hours (roughly one full day) to visit all the booths and make it from one end of the convention area, to the other. My girlfriend tagged along with me and endured non-stop baseball card drudgery from 10 in the morning to 10 at night. She did it very willingly and was very supportive as well throughout the whole ordeal. She even kept me from misplacing my checkbook, cards, car keys, etc...which was a big plus!
I've heard stories about prior conventions not having a very good vintage selection. I thought the selection of cards was actually pretty nice and I even got to talk to a number of great individuals who had booths set up such as Steve Verkman, Bill Goodwin and Terry Knouse who were gracious enough to take a few minutes to chat with me for a little while. A few of the prices I found on cards from various dealer tables were a little bit above what I was hoping to spend but that did not detract from the experience one bit.
In the end, I sold a couple cards, made a fantastic trade with a friend on the board for a t222 Lee Magee (thanks Mike!) and even picked up a neat t210 orange border (thanks Steve!).
Sorry if this post was a little long winded, but I had a great time and my first National was a terrific experience - better than expected. Hope to hang out with you all again at some point!
Cheers!
Brian
---edited for lousy grammar