future national venues

[Archive]

Posted By: the truth

heading to my seventh national at the end of the month (i can't believe its already july--it seems like it was just memorial day!!); does anyone know where next year's national--and the 2010 one--is being held??

[Archive]

Posted By: Anthony N.

Supposed to be Cleveland in '09 and Chicago on '10, but there are rumours of another venue, probably for '10.
It'll come down to whatever makes the most money for the promoters.

[Archive]

Posted By: Bilko G

I've heard before that it is actually the bigger dealers that vote on what city the Nationals is gonna be held at, is this true? If not, does anyone know how it is decided on?

[Archive]

Posted By: Phil Garry

I heard Anaheim in '09 and I just read an article about Baltimore as a possibility for '10.

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

Cleveland is definite for 2009. There is supposed to be a vote for the possibilty of Baltimore for 2010. The short version is that dealers wanted an east coast venue. The Baltimore Convention Center was renovated & enlarged a few years ago, so is now about 300,000 sq ft. (not the usual 400,000 sq ft.). So, I've heard that if it gets the vote for 2010, there might be 25% less dealers/booths.

I'm not sure why they haven't mentioned the Washington, DC as a potential location. The Washington, DC convention center, which was built 2 or 3 years ago, is absolutely enormous. Add to the fact that the baseball team has a brand new stadium.

Maybe they should try other cities, too.

[Archive]

Posted By: MVSNYC

how about NYC???

javitz center!

[Archive]

Posted By: Matt

I'd guess that for financial reasons, NYC wouldn't work; the difference in cost of renting the Javits Center vs the other venues being discussed is probably significant. Additionally, it would be probably much more expensive for the dealers to rent hotel rooms in NYC.

[Archive]

Posted By: Phil Garry

I vote for Atlantic City, NJ. Of course, I live in NJ so my commute would be about 2 hours!

[Archive]

Posted By: boxingcardman

Huge, non-union convention center, lots of cheap hotels, easy access, lots of extra-curriculars to both occupy the kiddies and wives as well as "entertain" the unattached men...what's not to like.

Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

[Archive]

Posted By: Marty Ogelvie

Although I love Vegas, I suspect the dealers would NOT want to share any $$$ with the Casinos.  

martyOgelvie
New York Yankee cards

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

Phil - As you know, they had it in Atlantic City in 2003, but attendance was poor and dealers weren't happy so having the show in AC is history.

[Archive]

Posted By: James Feagin

Here is one vote for Baltimore! The N54 dinner could be at Phillips at the Inner Harbor. Then we can walk to see the O's play and then walk to the convention center!

[Archive]

Posted By: Dave Haas

How come it's never in the south like Atlanta, Houston, Dallas or Orlando?

[Archive]

Posted By: Bobby Binder

My vote is for Hawaii...take the whole family

[Archive]

Posted By: Bottom of the Ninth

Directly from the people over at The National Sports Collectors Convention...

2009 will be in Cleveland. Exhibitors will be approving 2010 and 2011 sites later this month.

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

They choose Chicago and Cleveland because those cities very easy to get to by both air and car, and the area hotels are relatively affordable. The Boston & New York areas have been discussed before, but their convention centers are very expensive, plus Boston is very expensive to fly into. The vintage collectors are the least of the their concern. The National is geared towards new products. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution.

[Archive]

Posted By: JimB

How about Portland, OR for another West coast venue? Great city, inexpensive hotels, easy airport, nice convention center. It has it all. I have no bias.
JimB

[Archive]

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

The cost of hosting an event at the Javitz Center is astronomical, and everything is union, adding even more cost. Also, for driving/hotel/parking/food costs, etc., this would be a terrible choice, as those issues would dissuade many from attending.

The last two Nationals were rather slow-moving, most likely due to location. I really can't see it happening in Anaheim again. Cleveland would make more sense, but I personally would prefer it just being held in Chicago every year. As someone else already said (albeit in other words), Chicago is really the "crossroads of America". It's just a perfect place for any large event. So many venues, so much to do, hotels and flights to meet any budget. The list goes on and on. Spicing it up with an east coast destination once every three years would also be acceptable, as most hobby-related business is conducted there.

[Archive]

Posted By: boxingcardman

No one would gamble away their card money. They are completely different audiences. The casinos host all sorts of conventions of non-gamblers. The electronics show, for example; that one has a rep of being a non-gambling show (lots of strip club action, tho).

How about San Diego? It seems to work beautifully for Comic Con every year.

Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

[Archive]

Posted By: Anonymous

I am from nyc. what about Long islands Nassau collisium. i think that would be excellent location. Hotels are cheaper there then manhattan and plenty of parking. I would love any of them only being les then 15 minutes to both locations.

[Archive]

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

There aren't many hotels on the island, and they are incredibly expensive. The Glen Cove Mansion runs at least $140-150 on Priceline, and it's one of the most affordable. Even the Red Roof Inn is over $100, and it's awful! The last time I stayed there they didn't even provide towels! Try drying YOURself off with a pillow case, and see how much you like it!

[Archive]

Posted By: Anonymous

Along hemstead tpke there are hotels that are affordable. It isnt a 5 star hotel. Right next door from collisium is a Marriot. Way cheaper then manhattan though. I dont think you can get a hotel room for under a $100 anywhere.They also run local shows at hofstra thats 3 seconds from collisium. I am sure these dealers are familaiar with cost of hotels in area. If it wasnt cost effective for them.I would imagine they would not rent a vendor space at show.

[Archive]

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

That Marriot is really nice--I've only stayed there once, but it was nearly $200, even using Priceline! I've stayed at most of the hotels in the area many times, and they have never been cheaper than $110/night. I do know that a lot of NYC dealers would love a show to be held in their backyard, though. Personally, no thanks. As a different alternative, how about something in NJ? Again, I wouldn't like it, but there are plently of venues (and more lodging).

[Archive]

Posted By: Robert Klevens

I had a great show in Anaheim. I live in Florida and don't mind travelling to new locations. It is important to find new customers and I don't find too many new customers going to Cleveland and Chicago every other year.

[Archive]

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

Robert,

You bring up a very valid point that has yet to be touched upon. Point taken. I think we first met in Anaheim. Glad you fared well there.

[Archive]

Posted By: Steve Dawson

Here's a vote for Dallas in 2010.

Leon can host it!



Steve

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

Robert - Good points. I'll see you at the National.

[Archive]

Posted By: Bruce Perry

the national has been in the Dallas area twice but not since 1990, in Houston in 1994, Atlanta twice in 1992 and 1999 (and were two of my best nationals ever)....I thought all those shows were fabulous, but that was then....Baltimore would be interesting, different and worth the try...I would like to see different cities....Cleveland may be centrally located but there are few if any convenient hotels, and the restaurants are not the best...Chicago is the best, but every third year is probably enough...I thought the ST Louis show in 1995 was fabulous...and the entire convention was carpeted! I wish they would try that venue again...the Philly area is pretty tied up with long standing show held there 3 times a year..... Bob Krawetz, a noted national dealer and member of the NSCC board, said, today there is no easy solution as most areas have logistic problems of one sort or another....the national in SF in 1987 was a landmark show but the union hassles and cost (like NY) make it not feasible today...anyway good luck to all in Chicago who attend as sellers or collectors

[Archive]

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

Yes, I would think that St. Louis would be great from both economical and geographical standpoints. It has a bad reputation, part of which is really undeserved. I've always found it to be a friendly town where fun can be had for relatively little cost. There are many collectors in the area who don't see much action in the way of shows unless they want to make the trip north to Chicago. I would also cast a vote for St. Louis. Would be OK with Baltimore, too, but don't particularly care for that town.

[Archive]

Posted By: leon

I vote for Lucas, TX.....It's right outside of Dallas, fairly cheap.....and within a mile of my house. Unfortunately the biggest buildings are barns though.....As a plus I will even throw in free tractor rides for the kiddies!!!

Kidding aside I do wish it would go to new venues. To me, once I get on a plane for several hours, it doesn't really matter where it is....And I always end up at the hotel bars after the shows so the city isn't that big of a deal....to me.

[Archive]

Posted By: Rob D.

Since St. Louis has been thrown into the mix, I'll add that I spent some of time in East St. Louis at the 1995 National, and it was a good experience.

[Archive]

Posted By: Dave Hornish

Nassau Coliseum is nowhere big enough to hold the National. There used to be some great shows there (I even set up at one or two many years ago)but no more.

[Archive]

Posted By: Glenn

Count another vote for St. Louis -- a terribly underrated city, quite affordable, a big league team, and a reasonably short flight from anywhere in the lower 48.

[Archive]

Posted By: Michael Steele

St. Louis! Another vote and yes, I agree, a very underrated location. Deep collector base, not too far from anywhere. A steep tradition in baseball. I remember the great shows at the Holiday Inn. Enos "Country" Slaughter was a guest in 1980 signing free autographs. Instant auctions on walk in material. Those were the days.

[Archive]

Posted By: Marty

The person who I talked to on the commitee told me that Boston recently bumped their fee up $50,000. To ge into the convention centers, the National must guarantee a certain number of hotel rooms. The hotel bookings is aalways a big issue.

[Archive]

Posted By: Bob

Another vote for St. Louis.
Jim I love Portland but it's not going to go there.
If not St. Louis, then Dallas. I loved going to the Nationals in Dallas and St. Louis much better than the Cleveland-Chicago duo.

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark Finn

According to the Baltimore Convention Center website:

http://www.bccenter.org/index.php

There is 415000 square feet of total exhibit space; 115 in the "original" center, and 300 in the expansion:

Original Facility: Opening: August, 1979

Features:
Total Square Footage: 425,000 Square Feet
Exhibit Halls: 115,000 Square Feet
Meeting Rooms: 40,000 Square Feet

Expansion/Renovation: Date of Opening: September, 1996

Features:
Total Square Footage: 1,225,000 Square Feet
Exhibit Halls: 300,000 Square Feet
Meeting Rooms: 85,000 Square Feet
Ballroom: 36,000 SquareFeet

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

Yes, but the main hall has "only" 300,000 sq. ft. (when the National requires 400,000 sq. ft.). That's why if they vote yes for Balto. in 2010, there will be 25% less dealers/booths.

[Archive]

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

I love Boston as a town, but would figure it ranks second-fiddle to NYC on the east coast for various expenses. Thumbs way down from me.

Glad to see so much love shown for St. Louis! I have nothing but fond memories from my many times in and around that city. Next to Chicago, it is certainly the hub of the midwest, and a shorter drive/flight for west coasters. It's practically the geographical center of the lower 48, too.

[Archive]

Posted By: CoreyRS.hanus

No knock on Cleveland (it's a great town) but to me I don't like the notion of having a national at a convention center you can't walk to from the local hotels (or am I missing something and there IS such a hotel there). Last year I found it very annoying to be captive to the hotel shuttle to take me to and pick me up from the convention center. The waits sometimes were pretty long.

[Archive]

Posted By: Ken McMillan

Phoenix........

[Archive]

Posted By: Todd

I think Louisville, Kentucky would be a perfect place to hold the National. It's centrally located and easily accessable and has plenty of convention space.

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark

I like Phoenix as well...

Very accomodating airport with lots of direct flights, great restaurants and bars, the possibility of a D-Backs home game, and plethora of nice hotels with cheap rates in the summertime.

Wish they would seriously consider it...

[Archive]

Posted By: paulstratton

I'd love for it come to the Phoenix area as well, but I don't think the collector base is strong enough.

[Archive]

Posted By: anthony

alan,

with 25% less space for dealers, maybe they can weed out the junkie dealers.

[Archive]

Posted By: Glen V

I'll vote for Phoenix too. How much heat can a slabbed card take until the slab melts???

[Archive]

Posted By: Matt

Glen:
http://www.alteredcards.com/becketttest.htm