Going to my 1st National this year

[OldEnglishD]

I plan on attending the National this year in Chicago. As it will be my first, I'm wondering...

• How many days should I attend? I am not really interested in the box/case breaks or autographs, just want to take a good look at the items for sale.
• Should I consider the VIP tickets? Are they worth it?
• Should I stay near the convention and visit Downtown, or vice-versa?
• Any other recommendations? Or is it really just a giant version of my local card show?

I'm not a dealer/seller, just a collector who's been away for 30+ years and getting back into the hobby. Today I would say I collect 1934 Goudey, 1954 Topps hockey and mid-grade (PSA 4-6ish) pre-1970 baseball and hockey HoFers.

Any help/feedback is greatly appreciated! Dave

[kailes2872]

Dave,
I attended my first last year in Cleveland with my boys. It was great. I felt like a 7 year old at Disneyland - totally overstimulated for the fir few hours.

We spent two days. A near full first day until close and then open till near close the second. We saw every table, had plenty of time to visit, did all of the special attractions (held the Ruth bat, made a baseball card) and even doubled back the next day.

We stayed about 10 minutes from the show and that was more than fine.

A couple of things that I learned:

Wear comfortable shoes. Floors are hard and days are long.

Unless you have something that you are sure that you want to sell or trade, leave the majority of your stuff in the car. I leaned this the hard way. I had a heavy backpack the first day and it wore me out. I had intended to visit the PSA booth but it was always super busy. After about 6 hours I finally took it back to the car and felt like I waa 30 pounds lighter.

If you see something that you like and the price is right, get it then. I tried to take notes and go back to buy the second day and most of what I wanted was gone.

A lot of booths start looking alike after a while. Be sure to keep good notes of where you have been and what they have.

It was a greT trip for us. People were especially nice to my kids. I didn't get as much as I would have liked but I did grab a few deals.

[Leon]

We are confirmed to have our Net54baseball Dinner at the National on the Friday of the national. It is across the street from the Convention center and is free for all members. There will be 4-5 speakers (already set), appetizers and an open bar with beer, liquor and soda the whole time. It will start at 730 this year, with more info to come, but if you can make it Friday after the show you will meet a lot of Net54baseball guys and probably have a good time. I will be double fisting Corona's and be the emcee as usual.

As for the national, comfortable shoes, something to write with.....and cash. And for attire, as usual for me it will be T shirts and shorts the whole time. It's baseball cards, have fun!!

[OldEnglishD]

Originally Posted by Leon

We are confirmed to have our Net54baseball Dinner at the National on the Friday of the national. It is across the street from the Convention center and is free for all members. There will be 4-5 speakers (already set), appetizers and an open bar with beer, liquor and soda the whole time. It will start at 730 this year, with more info to come, but if you can make it Friday after the show you will meet a lot of Net54baseball guys and probably have a good time. I will be double fisting Corona's and be the emcee as usual.

As for the national, comfortable shoes, something to write with.....and cash. And for attire, as usual for me it will be T shirts and shorts the whole time. It's baseball cards, have fun!!

Net54baseball dinner sounds like fun, especially the part about double fisting Corona's! Sounds like a classy event so I'll leave my beer helmet at home. Count me and my daughter in!

[darkhorse9]

I'll give you my advice as a regular Chicago show attendee and frequent Chicago National show attendee.

Two days is more than enough. depending on what goals you have you could possibly do it in one day.

The National (unlike the regular shows) has more corporate stuff to look at. That's always nice to take time to do. There's also a lot more things going on at individual tables. oftentimes there will be autograph guests at the tables.

As for where to stay, If you're driving I highly recommend finding a hotel room outside the immediate area. There's no need to pay the jacked up rates right there in Rosemont. Drive a couple miles and find a Days Inn. You'll save enough money to spend the next day at the show.

Plan your eating breaks. I've often find I spend the entire day wandering and never stop to eat or drink. That's a challenge.

As for the VIP, never got them, never will. They're a big waste of money to me. Most of the big dealers have already worked over deals with each other so the panic of having to get that extra hour in is pretty false.

If you don't plan frequent trips out to your car I highly suggest parking at the Metro Lot just East of the interstate. It's only $5 to park all day ( I think the ramps charge something like $20) plus they are easy to get in and out of.It's an easy walk to the convention center from there.

Visiting downtowm Chicago is amazing. There's tons to do (I highly recommend Eataly. If you go there you'll see what I mean.) Getting downtown is easy. Just hop on the train at the lot I told you to park at and your in Downtown in just a couple of minutes.

[hammer]

Bring lot's of money.

[OldEnglishD]

Originally Posted by darkhorse9

I'll give you my advice as a regular Chicago show attendee and frequent Chicago National show attendee.

Two days is more than enough. depending on what goals you have you could possibly do it in one day.

The National (unlike the regular shows) has more corporate stuff to look at. That's always nice to take time to do. There's also a lot more things going on at individual tables. oftentimes there will be autograph guests at the tables.

As for where to stay, If you're driving I highly recommend finding a hotel room outside the immediate area. There's no need to pay the jacked up rates right there in Rosemont. Drive a couple miles and find a Days Inn. You'll save enough money to spend the next day at the show.

Plan your eating breaks. I've often find I spend the entire day wandering and never stop to eat or drink. That's a challenge.

As for the VIP, never got them, never will. They're a big waste of money to me. Most of the big dealers have already worked over deals with each other so the panic of having to get that extra hour in is pretty false.

If you don't plan frequent trips out to your car I highly suggest parking at the Metro Lot just East of the interstate. It's only $5 to park all day ( I think the ramps charge something like $20) plus they are easy to get in and out of.It's an easy walk to the convention center from there.

Visiting downtowm Chicago is amazing. There's tons to do (I highly recommend Eataly. If you go there you'll see what I mean.) Getting downtown is easy. Just hop on the train at the lot I told you to park at and your in Downtown in just a couple of minutes.

Great stuff Mark! Are you referring to the Rosemont L-train station?

Thanks for the info! Dave

[OldEnglishD]

Originally Posted by kailes2872

Dave,
A couple of things that I learned:

Wear comfortable shoes. Floors are hard and days are long.

Unless you have something that you are sure that you want to sell or trade, leave the majority of your stuff in the car. I leaned this the hard way. I had a heavy backpack the first day and it wore me out. I had intended to visit the PSA booth but it was always super busy. After about 6 hours I finally took it back to the car and felt like I waa 30 pounds lighter.

If you see something that you like and the price is right, get it then. I tried to take notes and go back to buy the second day and most of what I wanted was gone.

A lot of booths start looking alike after a while. Be sure to keep good notes of where you have been and what they have.

It was a greT trip for us. People were especially nice to my kids. I didn't get as much as I would have liked but I did grab a few deals.

Perfect! Thanks for the advice! Dave

[irishdenny]

Originally Posted by kailes2872

Dave,
I attended my first last year in Cleveland with my boys. It was great. I felt like a 7 year old at Disneyland - totally overstimulated for the fir few hours.

We spent two days. A near full first day until close and then open till near close the second. We saw every table, had plenty of time to visit, did all of the special attractions (held the Ruth bat, made a baseball card) and even doubled back the next day.

KeviN...

I am HopiN that iN 2016 I can Post Similar!
I have 4 Boys that I would Love ta do this wit(& They Would LoVe ta Go!!!)

Thanks fir the TiPs & InspiratioN...

[Hot Springs Bathers]

At the National in St. Louis back in the 90's I had flown in that morning and was flying back out that night.

We were finished shopping by 5:00 or so and had a couple of hours until our flight. We decided to hydrate at the Budweiser booth and as I remember, it would have been a bad idea to continue shopping after that point.

I am guessing having a beer booth may have just been a St. Louis thing?

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by Hot Springs Bathers

We decided to hydrate at the Budweiser booth

Oxymoron?

Man...if only Budweiser could hydrate!

[Jewish-collector]

Sometimes you just gotta do it....

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by Hot Springs Bathers

At the National in St. Louis back in the 90's I had flown in that morning and was flying back out that night.

We were finished shopping by 5:00 or so and had a couple of hours until our flight. We decided to hydrate at the Budweiser booth and as I remember, it would have been a bad idea to continue shopping after that point.

I am guessing having a beer booth may have just been a St. Louis thing?

Nope, Chicago has a farily large bar on the convention floor

[shernan30]

Last year was my first National. Had a blast and can't wait to be in Chicago this year. Will be starting Thursday and heading back to Columbus, Ohio some time Sunday. Also looking forward to the Net54 dinner!!


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[RedlegsFan]

Brightair is a machine. He knows his stuff. This will be my 4th consecutive National attendance, and basically would repeat everything he posted.

Seeing and meeting all the folks in our hobby, business, or obsession is wonderful. I am still chasing the goal of not buying one single card at all on my first day, doing recon only. Haven't been able to do it yet.

Travel safely!


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[OldEnglishD]

Thanks for all the wonderful advice, I honestly haven't been so excited for a short trip since I was a teenager and the family was heading to Cedar Point (Amusement Park in Ohio)! I feel as prepared as I'll ever be thanks to the folks that have taken the time to post here.

Besides Steve, are there any other Net54 members setting up tables? I'll make sure not to miss you at the show. Also provides me a familiar face for the Net54 dinner on Friday.

Lastly, I'm looking for 1 or 2 people to exchange short want lists with. We could exchange phone numbers and text each other when we see something the other is looking for. Can't hurt to have extra eyes out there. Just a thought.

Dave

[Sean1125]

Originally Posted by OldEnglishD

Thanks for all the wonderful advice, I honestly haven't been so excited for a short trip since I was a teenager and the family was heading to Cedar Point (Amusement Park in Ohio)! I feel as prepared as I'll ever be thanks to the folks that have taken the time to post here.

Besides Steve, are there any other Net54 members setting up tables? I'll make sure not to miss you at the show. Also provides me a familiar face for the Net54 dinner on Friday.

Lastly, I'm looking for 1 or 2 people to exchange short want lists with. We could exchange phone numbers and text each other when we see something the other is looking for. Can't hurt to have extra eyes out there. Just a thought.

Dave

Yes.

[ALR-bishop]

Will they have another brief case full of money for Bartman if he makes the
show ?

[toppcat]

Defintiely bring snacks, the convention center offerings are abysmal.