First-timer at National - advice, must do, don't miss?

[Belfast1933]

I'll be attending the National for the first time and would love some advice from experienced attendees... I'm sure this topic has been done elsewhere but it looks like other threads cover some more narrow topics.

I've heard so far:

- If you see it and love it, buy it... good chance it won't be there when you return

- Not really the place to go bargain hunting... amazing inventory but with prices to match

- Cash is king... likely to get a better deal if I buy in cash

Are there any speaker forums to attend? Do any of the larger dealers or vendors do dinners out with speakers (like business trade shows)?

I see a vendor list and floor plan listed on the NSCC site but there really isn't much (that I could find) to illustrate what that dealer specializes in (vintage, pre-war, memorabilia, unopened, etc)

Any other tips or advice? if any other first-timers want to grab a beer and compare stories from their first-time experience, I'm happy to semi-organize a first-timers Net54 crew. I'm planning to attend Wednesday and Thursday...

Thanks for all advice and tips -

See you in AC!

Jeff Gross

[Bobbycee]

Have fun Jeff. I'm trying to decide if I'll be there Wed (hours 4-8P) or all day Thursday.

You bring up a good point, (which NSCC should do in the future to help attendees): It's one thing to show the list of vendors & where they are located, but how about what they specialize in? If I saw that list, I could go right to the vendors who I want to do business with, instead of wasting time going table to table to find what I need. Would be a huge time saver.

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Getting excited! I love to be around all the fellow collectors and amazing cards. The energy in the room is something to see. I've never been to a trading meet up (where a bunch of collectors get together in a big room at a nearby hotel to trade) but plan to seek one out this year. For a newbie, I would try and schedule some after show experiences like dinners or drinks with hobby buddies which will make the trip more memorable.

Come say hello, I'll be set up selling some stuff at booth 425!

[jmarascojr]

Bring water and a snack with you, the food is terrible and drinks cost a lot at The National.

Double up on the deodorant, the rest of us thank you in advance...

Wear comfortable shoes/sneakers, buy some old man skechers with the cushiony bottom.

Deodorant, can't stress this enough!!!

[parkplace33]

Enjoy and have fun are the first things. Try to meet up with other collectors if you can.

[Andrew1975]

Bring cash
Wear comfortable shoes
If you want to remember where something is, write the booth number down. You may think you will remember, but you probably won't...
Have fun!

[oldjudge]

If you would like to learn something, really anything, about 19th century cards stop by Richard Masson’s table (he will be set up with Scott Brockelman) and he can explain everything to you. He will undoubtedly also have a nice selection of these cards, probably the best at the show. He can also set you up with an Old Judge book.

[Fballguy]

I checked the site and can't find an answer. Are backpacks allowed in the convention center? Thanks in advance.

[tschock]

Originally Posted by Fballguy

I checked the site and can't find an answer. Are backpacks allowed in the convention center? Thanks in advance.

I can't say with 100% certainty, but they've always been allowed in the past, or at least the past 10 or so years.

[Al C.risafulli]

Honestly? It's your first National. Here's what my advice would be:

1) Don't bring a want list. Bring a list of white whale items, if you have one, but that's it. It's great to spend time looking for things to help you complete sets and such, but then you can't see the forest because you're too busy looking for individual trees. Look at everything. Learn about stuff you've never seen before. Buy something wacky, just because you like it, and not because it's on your want list.

2) Meet everybody you can. Have conversations. Grab lunch with people from the board. This is an opportunity to make lifelong friends with people who have a common passion for the hobby. I go to the National every year, and my favorite thing about it is that its the only time of year I get to see some of my hobby friends.

3) Comfortable shoes, yes.

4) I echo the sentiment about not walking alone on the boardwalk at night.

5) If you're a night owl, the hotel bars are typically cool places to run into players. They won't sign autographs, but you can have some great conversations. A couple of years ago, some guys and I spent a half hour with Luis Tiant and it was pretty awesome to get to ask him questions. Toughest batter he ever faced? Yaz.

Have a blast. The National is awesome. Stop by booth 425/429 and say hi!

-Al

[Mike D.]

I wrote a guide to the national for cardlines.com. Offered here not as click-bait but in the hopes that maybe you get some small morsel of value and it's makes your visit a tiny bit better!

Everything You Need To Know About The 2022 National

[parkplace33]

One more thing is to focus on what you collect. Some first timers get shiny ball syndrome, buy something they don't really want, and then regret it later. Go in with a game plan.