How much would it cost these days to have a "Nationals Worthy" booth?

[rand1com]

Expense depends on travel cost.

Here is an average breakdown if you are driving your own vehicle.

1 Booth $1295
Hotel $1500 (Decent 3 star hotel through Conference Housing)(If you stay on site at Chicago, the Hotel cost is much higher but my example is the budget minded cost)
Gas $ 200 (Based on driving 500 miles each way)

Total $2995

You have to eat so that is not an expense in my calculation. But, figure another $500 so all in $3495 as Leon and Rich surmised to spend the week there on somewhat of a budget.

You would be surprised how many dealers are retired and do the National for fun, not for sales.

Many like to show off their collection and could care less if they sell anything. Their prices reflect that attitude.

I would guess 20% of the booths would have a cost value inventory of $25K or less. If they sell $10K, they did OK.

Sales for the National by booth would range from next to nothing to 7 figures. I would guess 75% would sell less than $50K. That still leaves a lot of dealers selling between $50K and 7 figures.

All guesses of course but based on doing 15 Nationals.

Granted, in the earlier years when booths did not sell out (yes, there were years when they did not sell out), today's figures would dwarf sales.