The National - New Management

[BobC]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

When I read the Huntington Convention Center part, I had the opposite reaction. I think the HCC would be an upgrade over the IX Center. More/better hotels, easier transportation, closer to different attractions (JACK Casino, Rock Hall, etc.), and an overall nicer facility. Parking will be interesting, but I'm hoping by 2024, there's an improved parking situation in that area of the city. With the Haslams (and the city as a whole) looking to build up that area of the city, I think there's a possibility for that to happen. Regarding the amount of space, the main room at the IX Center is 280k sq. ft. vs. 225k sq. ft. for the main room at the HCC. It's overall a nicer facility, and the difference in space is negligible when thinking about the "wasted" space at the IX Center.

Come back to Cleveland!

Hey Kyle,

Can definitely see many people liking it if it goes to downtown Cleveland. That is why I mentioned it will be interesting to see how people attending react if that change ends up happening and the National returns to Cleveland, but in a new location. But can also see it costing more for people to attend if it is downtown, and having more issues in traveling and getting through the downtown area and so on. Plus you're not right next to the airport anymore.

One big advantage Cleveland has it that it does not have the traffic congestion and issues of a city like say Chicago. And with the freeways and access to the IX Center, you can get around city area pretty easily if you rent a car. I actually prefer the IX Center facility to any of the other National facilities I've ever been to. You have dual entrances, one main floor with no obstructions, and more room than they know what to do with. Not sure where you got your figure for the IX Center's floor dimensions though. My understanding is that the main exhibition floor is actually about 985,000 SF, not the much smaller 280,000 SF number you mentioned. Where did you get that SF number from anyway? That is the other thing if you have the National in Cleveland. You actually would have plenty of space to expand the corporate areas, AND also be able to accommodate even more dealers if you really wanted to. If they ever took advantage of all the space the IX Center has for dealers, they would have to turn away so many of them in the following year when it went to a different venue that I'm guessing it would be a major issue for them and the dealers. The unused space at the IX Center isn't wasted, it was more likely just not used because the National people didn't want to deal with all the pissed off dealers who wouldn't be allowed to set up at other National locations then. And as for the facilities and how nice they are, I don't know about you, but I couldn't care less about the "ambiance" of the room and facilities. When I'm at the National, I'm there to look at cards and get around as easily as possible. Whether the facility is a big open space that looks like the unattractive inside of a factory/warehouse, or has carpeting and flowered wallpaper on the walls makes no difference to me. As long as it has AC and keeps the elements out, enough clean restrooms so lines aren't miles long, and enough places to sit to rest or grab a drink/snack when needed, that is all that really matters. I go to the National to go look at cards, not for a vacation . But I understand that for many people it is a sort of a vacation as well, and they like all the extra amenities they can get. But you usually end up paying for all those extra amenities in some shape or fashion as well. To each his own though,

And again, that is why I said it would be interesting to see how a National in a different Cleveland venue would be viewed by those that attend. There is no right or wrong answer, everyone has their own opinion and how they like things, and what they want to get out of going to the National. All good, just hope they do bring it back to Cleveland one day, whether the IX Center or the Huntington Convention Center.

Saw somewhere that Cleveland's location is a huge plus, where 43% of the entire US population is within 500 miles of it.