The National rotation

[Matthew H]

I'd imagine Vegas could be super expensive. I did an apparel convention there with a company I used to work for. A 10x10 booth was 10K and up.

[Jewish-collector]

I think one of the major reasons the show is successful is that everything (dining, museums, etc,...) are a few blocks away at the Inner Harbor. There were numerous times that a fellow collector told me his wife & kids were at the Inner Harbor while he was at the show. They probably should choose a city/venue that is similar to the downtown layout of Baltimore.

The Chicago National is actually in Rosemont. There are some activities within walking distance of the convention center, but not a whole lot. Getting to the touristy area of Chicago involves some time & planning. The Cleveland venue, of course, is convenient to the airport, but not much else.

[ullmandds]

how about st paul, mn!?!?! Center is close to the river...and lots of dining/bar options?!

[Jaybird]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

how about st paul, mn!?!?! Center is close to the river...and lots of dining/bar options?!

Sounds good to me! Like others have said, I just like it to be in the middle of other things. That's why Cleveland is reported to be fairly lame. There is a convention center downtown in Cleveland but they are not using it in favor of the one all the way out by the airport. Not fun.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

how about st paul, mn!?!?! Center is close to the river...and lots of dining/bar options?!

Warning

Do not soak cards in the Mississippi River

[lharri3600]

nashville,tn?

[Simmons Nation]

granted i'm biased because i'm from philly and baltimore is under 1 1/2 hours from my house, and i've been to both shows there and have had a blast.... but to state the obvious: if the two shows in baltimore were as successful as everyone has been saying, why wouldn't it come back to baltimore in the near future??

[Wite3]

Umm...San Diego would be great...nice convention center that is close to everything including the airport, hotels, petco, dining, clubs, bars, family stuff, national parks, zoo, etc. It would be ideal.

Joshua

Originally Posted by ullmandds

how about st paul, mn!?!?! Center is close to the river...and lots of dining/bar options?!

I concur Peter. Kansas city would be great also. Has everything needed and the airport is cheap to fly in and out of.

[SushiX37]

Originally Posted by Pup6913

I concur Peter. Kansas city would be great also. Has everything needed and the airport is cheap to fly in and out of.

+1 for KC. Tons to do, central location, easy access in and out. Plus the Negro Basball Museum is a must see for any baseball fan.

Rich

[tbob]

Originally Posted by SushiX37

+1 for KC. Tons to do, central location, easy access in and out. Plus the Negro Basball Museum is a must see for any baseball fan.

Rich

In the 80's Kansas City used to have some spectacular shows which were every bit as good as today's Nationals. Something happened in the early 90's and they have slowly evaporated. I remember seeing Joe D one year, Ted Williams the next year and Stan Musial the following year. I think Mantle made an appearance also. I am not sure who ran the shows but I remember buying my very first T206, an exmt Tinker bat on shoulder from a very young guy named Bill Mastro 30 years ago, who had all his T206s in a notebook in plastic pages. Memories...

[Tim Zwick]

John Mehlin & Jim Cumpton were the promoters who ran successful shows for many years in Overland Park just outside KC. Always great buying & selling shows back in the day. I set up at many of them.

[SushiX37]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

The Chicago National is actually in Rosemont. There are some activities within walking distance of the convention center, but not a whole lot. Getting to the touristy area of Chicago involves some time & planning. The Cleveland venue, of course, is convenient to the airport, but not much else.

It's the same place they hold the Wizard World conventions every year. Great access from O'Hare (like five minutes away) and two blocks from an L Train stop. There are a TON of hotels around the convention center, so that shouldn't be an issue. Harry Caray's is a ten minute cab ride. Wrigley isn't too far if you take the L train. We've been there more than a few times and really like the area.

Rich

[ullmandds]

Chicago is hotel accessible...but there is no "action" anywhere near there! Last year my GF and I set out DT on the train...and ended up a little lost/stranded I should say when the train stopped unexpectedly for a medical emergency and we got out and couldn't find a cab to save our lives.

It's not like Baltimore where everything is literally walking distance...it's nice!

[nolemmings]

Pete, I'd prefer Mpls to St. Paul for purposes of the convention, although St. Paul is a great city. The light rail would take folks to either Target Field or the Mall of America (heck even the airports), and you'd have no problem grabbing a bite or pint either. Now, just to find a nearby place with the right square footage.

[Jewish-collector]

Originally Posted by SushiX37

It's the same place they hold the Wizard World conventions every year. Great access from O'Hare (like five minutes away) and two blocks from an L Train stop. There are a TON of hotels around the convention center, so that shouldn't be an issue. Harry Caray's is a ten minute cab ride. Wrigley isn't too far if you take the L train. We've been there more than a few times and really like the area.

Rich

I totally agree. But, for whatever reason, people don't seem to want to take the L train or cab to go anywhere.

[Jaybird]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

I totally agree. But, for whatever reason, people don't seem to want to take the L train or cab to go anywhere.

It's because it takes 45 minutes to get downtown on the L. I don't care if it's a train, plane or hovercraft, 45 minutes is not close.

[Jlighter]

I hear Miami is hot this time of year

[WVSPORTKINGS]

I was told by one of the officers on the National Committee that there is only about 10 convention centers in the country big enough to hold a gathering of this size. What is the square footage of the show floor in Baltimore?
My son tells me that the convention center in Washington DC has the same square footage, unfortunely it's all not on the same level.

Mark WVSportkings