Should Show Promoters Include Clauses That Prevent Dealers From Working Other Shows?

[Exhibitman]

First of all, as weak as shows have been over the last decade, anything that spurs more of them is great.

Second, there is something wrong with trying to prevent independent businessmen from doing business with others. I don't see the promoter rushing to guarantee a profitable day for the dealers--there's no responsibility taken for the dealer--so why should he be able to keep them from setting up at a different show?

Third, I don't see the other show as competition. If it is on the same weekend it is competition. If not, it is complementary. Collectors are gluttons; we take all the cards we can get. If there is a show every week we go to a show every week. I recall during the 1990s going to multiple shows every weekend here in SoCal. Sometimes I'd hit two shows a day.

Finally, what the Philly promoter is doing is probably an illegal conspiracy in restraint of trade, especially the market allocation aspect [i.e., demanding that the vendors agree not to work in the specific area in any other show]. I'd love to see him try to enforce that contract provision.