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#51
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I doubt I could pick you out from the 3 other guys you were sitting with but that's ok. I am poor on remembering names but pretty good on remembering faces. I do enjoy the hobby a lot and enjoy watching others enjoy it, in their own way. Who cares if it's shiney stuff, old stuff, plastic, non-slabbed etc...? As long as you aren't hurting anyone and having fun with friends it's all good. It brings me back to the days of the late 60's and early 70's when I collected as a kid. Those were the days. So carefree and innocent.....listening to the Astros on the radio, with the next door neighbor gentleman, in the front yard, spitting out sunflower seed shells..... And Joe D- that is what makes the National great. I go there for the cards and friends and show......MOST others are sort of like yourself in that they like to take in some other things. One small thing is that you mentioned you go there to meet up with friends....well, that is just about as important to me as the cards. So we do have that in common. It was nice hanging out with you and downing a few. Hope to do it again next year!!! regards
__________________
Leon Luckey www.luckeycards.com |
#52
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Figures it was the year I spent Bois le Roi... I've been out of touch, I probably would have missed it, even if I was in town. Does the venue alternate, east-west, or was it rare?
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#53
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#54
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2011: Donald E Stephens Convention Center; Rosemont, Ill. 2012: International Exposition (I-X) Center; Cleveland, OH 2013: Donald E Stephens Convention Center; Rosemont, Ill. 2014: TBD 2015: Donald E Stephens Convention Center; Rosemont, Ill. Chicago required a multi-year contract to book. Other promoters were trying to book that space. In various posts from Mike Berkus, who is on the Board of The National, he has stated that Anaheim does not want them back. They have looked into the Mosconi Center in San Francisco and that doesn't work. They only book consumer events a maximum of 18 months in advance, and that's not enough lead time to pull everything together. So, if you want a West Coast show: 1. Find a convention center with more than 300,000 sq. ft. of space, all on one floor, in one building. 2. Check their union rules for set up. (The Javitz Center in NYC wants $2450 per booth for set-up. Cleveland wants $45.) 3. Check price, space, and availability of hotels. 4. Check transportation (long distance and local.) 5. Check parking (Just for Alan!) 6. Consider the climate. (Baltimore may have been hot and humid, but Tampa, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and/or Phoenix would have been worse.) They took a chance this year and tried Baltimore, even though it had only 290,000 sq. ft. It seems like everyone was OK with it, but there are fewer cities than you think, that meet this criteria.
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Jim Van Brunt |
#55
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JimB |
#56
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Do hippies even collect cards?
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#57
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This was my first National so I have nothing to compare it to. Was vendor/corporate participation down? Last edited by timzcardz; 08-10-2010 at 11:19 AM. Reason: I suk at spelling! |
#58
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![]() Your choice of reasons: 1 - Too little space (only 255,000 sq. ft.)? http://www.oregoncc.org/pdf/occ_facilityspecs.pdf 2 - Too many Buddhists? 3 - Because it rains every day?
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Jim Van Brunt |
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1. Too bad. 2. Point taken. ![]() 3. Summer is beautiful here and not humid. It rains in the Winter and Spring. |
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#61
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The stamp inserts would of been a big hit. Topps missed the boat on that one.
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#62
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#63
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How about a Double National to accommodate the cities with smaller venues. All the dealers who refuse to put price tags on their merchandise can attend the Mystery National at a venue which doesn't tell them how much their booths, hotel rooms or meals cost. They can just receive the bill when they leave.
That should leave plenty of room for everyone else at a sub-300,000 sq ft venue such as the one in Portland. Great city during the Summer, I might add. |
#64
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I guess I'm spoiled living in Chicago with the National here just about every other year and the three yearly Sun-Times shows. Naturally, I like the current schedule. As a fourth-generation Chicagoan with extensive knowledge of the city and suburbs, I beg to differ with those who say Chicago does not have entertainment options. True, the Rosemont area is limited but it does have an "L" stop that for $2.50 can get you rather quickly to museums, restaurants, shopping, nightlife and other points of interest. I'm going to set up at the show next year and I'd be happy to recommend day alternatives to the show for your families and even lead a pub crawl or two. I'm the author of "A Barfly's Guide to Chicago's Drinking Establishments" guide book. Chicago has 4,000 taverns and the city is at least three times larger than Baltimore. There is an immense amount of entertainment options here.
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#65
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You are my kind of dude ![]() Cheers, Blair
__________________
My Collection (in progress) at: http://www.collectorfocus.com/collection/BosoxBlair |
#66
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nice.
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#67
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Being a Cleveland guy, I've always attended every few years. Love the experience. Now that it appears to be out of the loop - I think I'll make the trip to Chicago...
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#68
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1. So why has it not been back to the LACC. (the only national I've been to) Did they not want them back either?
2. How 'bout Vegas? ![]() Last edited by Matthew H; 08-10-2010 at 01:24 PM. Reason: I'm stoopid |
#69
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For the west coast, what about San Diego?
The convention center has over 525,000 gross square feet of contiguous exhibit space on the ground floor alone. Sure, you'd have to work around ComicCon in July, but that shouldn't be a problem. It's also on the bay, with Seaport Village and Petco Park (amont many other things) within walking distance. And you won't have to worry about the weather! ![]() Steve |
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Something tells me that the adage "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" really wouldn't be necessary.
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#71
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#72
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#73
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I've still never seen anyone mention Brooklyn for the National. Best city in the world.
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#74
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Jim I guess the thinking is that East Coast dealers wouldn't want to make the long trip to Portland, which is a shame because it is one of my favorite cities to visit in the U.S.
How did Cleveland get in to the rotation anyway? Minneapolis would be much better and still gives you a large city in the Midwest. |
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#76
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Let me put my vote in for San Diego as well. Not only because I live here, but it's a great place for everyone to visit. As said before, Petco and the Gas Lamp Quarter with tons of restaurants and nightlife are all within walking distance.
C'mon guys...bring some of that great stuff out to California!! |
#77
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Great idea Barry. If anyone wants to meet on the Wed night at 8pm at Nathan's I'll be there. No need to rsvp - they don't take reservations. |
#78
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Of course there aren't any convention centers in Brooklyn, but that's just a small detail.
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#79
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Admit it: If it were in Brooklyn, you still wouldn't go.
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#80
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Rob- if it were across the street, there's a 50-50 chance I would stop by.
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#81
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I think the first baseball card shows were in "Detroit" in the early 1970's. These shows were the best the hobby had to offer !
Why not a show at "Ford Field"? This is across the road from Tigers Comerica Park. Also casino's within eye range and some great food in "Greektown", HockeyTown restaurant etc. Plenty of vendors in Ford Field . Plenty of seating and room. Would a football field be large enough for dealers ? One of the few cities with all 4 major sports !!!! Some slots, some baseball and food after the show each nite should be enough for anyone. |
#82
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I would love to go to Portland for a national. never been there..... would like to one day.
__________________
Joe D. |
#83
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Joe, you'd have to pack a steamer trunk or two for such a long trip. And maybe hire some sherpas to carry them for you.
__________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/sets |
#84
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hahaha. so true.
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Joe D. |
#85
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As a southerner I would love another National close to home but I remember waiting in line in the heat at both Arlington shows!!!
I saw several people fall out and get very sick. There were two ambulances that were kept busy. It was also in Arlington that my wife who has been put up for sainthood even though we are Methodists waited in line for over three hours to secure a Mantle autograph for my birthday present. The tough part of that wait was the first two hours were outside in the sun! St. Louis was nice but crowded and tough to find a place to stay. A friend and I flew in for the day and flew out that night. The best part was our cab was late so the folks at the airport put us in a limo which dropped us at the front door of the show. The people in the line which stretched several blocks were so stunned when we pulled up that they parted like the Red Sea and let us walk in the door with no wait. No such luck on the return to the airport. |
#86
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Why not Orlando? Talk about things for the family to do!
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#87
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I suspect that before long 255,000 sq. ft. will be more than enough space, unfortunately!
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Orlando sounds great to me.
Frank |
#89
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San Diego has a huge convention center, perfect weather, extremely close proximity to infinite hotels, bars, restaurants, Petco Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, the Waterfront, Seaport Village, etc. Plus, it's just a beautiful city. If family members accompany, there's a world class Zoo, Sea World, Horton Plaza, Mission Bay, limitless Golf, and the Beach... all within less than 15 minutes away. Even Mexico is easy access, if you're into that (I think that Tijuana qualifies). I don't know how you can top San Diego.... is it too much to ask for one National per decade to be west of the Mississippi? |
#90
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I aset up at my first card show in 1972 at the old Troy Hilton near Detroit. Those old Detroit shows were fantastic. I can remember the great Frank Nagy selling 1959 Fleed Ted Williams sets (without No. 68) for $5 each. Since then, I've done shows all over the country and enjoyed them all. But I've had my best success selling and buying with the Midwest shows, especially Detroit and Chicago.
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#91
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Can't you see, that is the reason why I cannot change my vote from Orlando to Detriot. Those "Fleed" sets are not worth much more then $5 today ![]() Lovely Day... Last edited by iggyman; 08-11-2010 at 06:54 AM. |
#92
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Sorry for the typo. Those Fleer sets were near mint and Frank had dozens of them - along with the 1966 East Hill Pirates sets.
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#93
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I was 6 at my first show in Detroit in 1971. I went with my uncle and would sit while he searched through 1933 Goudeys ($0.25 per, Ruths were $1.25). Mr. Nagy's table was always the most crowded. He always had a mixture (1959 Fleer - 1961 Fleer sets on the more recent side to an amazing number of Goudeys, Mayos, T206, etc.). It is also interesting to think back to the cards in the different sets that were considered difficult (Birmingham's Home Run, Dougherty/Lord, etc.)
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#94
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Tabe |
#95
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If we actually get to vote, I'd vote for San Diego too. It would be nice to attend another National before I die!
Comic-con was at the San Diego Convention Center, which according to the website is 525,701 gross sq.ft. contiguous exhibit space on the ground floor and has 50 loading docks. The only possible drawback I can see is they also say Floor Loads: 350 lbs. per sq. ft. This might mean some dealers wouldn't be able to attend. ![]() |
#96
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San Diego is a great idea for a west coast venue. Great convention center, near ball park, tons of restaurants, etc. downtown in the gaslamp area.
JimB |
#97
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San Diego has lots of beautiful women which might ruin the National's reputation.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...s/intro/090805 |
#98
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A few thoughts (most of which have undoubtedly been discussed to death already):
I think it's imperative that the largest show of its kind cater to the majority. Most of the dealer and collector demographic live on the east coast (with the heaviest concentration being in NY and NJ). It makes no sense to have 80-90% of attendees come all the way out to the west coast. The Anaheim show proved what a poor decision that was. Chicago is centrally located for all involved and has much to offer in the way of non-hobby perks. The Rosemont Center leaves much to be desired, however. Those in charge of running it should look to Baltimore's venue and take note. I think Cleveland makes a lot of sense, but again, the venue isn't the greatest. The IX Center certainly offers ample and affordable parking, and accommodations can be found on Priceline for next to nothing (I paid $35/night last year at a Holiday Inn, complementary limo shuttle service included). Out of curiosity, what would cities such as Cincinnati and Pittsburgh have to offer? These would seem like ideal geographic/demographic areas. From past experience, there's plenty to be had in the way of hotels and dining, and each has an MLB team. I would have included Columbus, but alas, no baseball to watch! |
#99
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Clippers baby! (And a beautiful new stadium!)
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Jim Van Brunt |
#100
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Nah, the place is filled with takers.
__________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/sets |
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