The 2013 "National" in Chicago

[kmac32]

Great show and great location. Also good pizza near by in the form of Giordanos. Would love to go, but will see. Also remember, cash is King for this show.

[Donscards]

I set up last year in Baltimore and the show was outstanding---I am so looking forward to this year in Chicago---The Net 54 dinner was great---food was all you could eat---and nice to have drinks too---The Speakers were the best ever---it was a pleasure to listen to them and the insight they gave us was intriging.--I will be at this years dinner too for sure--I hope to meet Leon this year and thanks for the great time last year. Don

[quinnsryche]

See post #9. A well thought out and delivered post. He is right on the money with every point. A full day is needed to cover the whole show thoroughly. You will need to make more than one trip around to see/absorb everything. My adfvice is a double edged sword, don't buy anything the first time around unless you can't live without it. You will probably see multiples of an item at various prices and conditions unless it's an utter rarity. Those with limited funds have to be careful with their purchases!
Good luck!

[Jantz]

Steve

Some good advice has been offered by others, but I have six more things to add.

6. Come to the Net54 banquet if you can. You'll have a good time. Well thats if you're invited!

5. Don't forget your loupe. Not all dealers sell graded & its a good tool to have available even for viewing graded cards.

4. Make a list of the cards you really want to take home. Knock those cards off your checklist first. I make a "hit list" every year of about 10 cards. If & when I get those cards purchased, then I start buying others for my set. This way you don't get stuck low on cash when you stumble across a nice card you really wanted for your set.

3. Politeness to dealers can go a long way. They are there all week away from their loved ones, standing on their feet all day or sitting in uncomfortable chairs. It has helped me in the past & I've made some great friends because of it.

2. While at the show, if you find a quarter laying on the floor, return it to Leon immediately! Its his Luckey quarter!

1. And since this is your first National, all rookies are only allowed to bring one T-shirt to wear at the show. And you must wear it everyday!

Well on second thought, forget about numbers 1 & 2.

Hope to see you there.

Jantz

[RCMcKenzie]

Long story short. I've been to one National. The 1985 6th annual in Anaheim. I bought a 1975 George Brett vg/e for $2.50 and some Topps cards. It was insanely huge. My brother and I were fist-pumping about the 1975 Topps card as we left.

[byrone]

Any thoughts on the hotels that are close to the convention center? I would like to be within walking distance of the show. Also, how is public transit to the downtown area, what is it like to get to a Cubs game?

[Gmrson]

Originally Posted by byrone

Any thoughts on the hotels that are close to the convention center? I would like to be within walking distance of the show. Also, how is public transit to the downtown area, what is it like to get to a Cubs game?

Check out the website www.nsccshow.com
There are a few hotels connected right to the convention center. I also think there is a train stop a few blocks away that goes downtown. I'm not sure about the Cubs game...I would think a cab would be the best option, unless it's easy to switch trains.

Originally Posted by milkit1

Anyone know who the autograph guests will be?

Nothing yet, but about a week ago on the shows Facebook page they said they would announce the 1st wave of signers in a few weeks.

Originally Posted by jschris

We are nervous about driving in large cities so the girls going on an excursion alone was out of the question. But there didn't seem to be anything at all for them to do nearby, either. I'd like to go for a couple of days, but I don't want the girls to be trapped in the hotel for that long. Any suggestions? Even a mall or shopping area close by (preferably without having to get back on the freeway) would help.

Thanks!
Jason

There is a MAMMOTH IKEA about 20 minutes north by freeway in Schaumburg. It's been a while since I've gone but I think we went to a few other places near there.