An Idea To Improve The National; An Open Letter To The Board

[glchen]

Right, I think the big corporate guys pay more money to be at those locations because there would likely be more traffic there, so they wouldn't want to be moved to an edge.

Another idea to perhaps persuade dealers to voluntarily move would be to designate certain areas as prewar, vintage, nonsports, etc, and then see if dealers would want to move to that area. Then collectors who are interested in those things could go to that location first. Not sure how it would work because some dealers would have all eras so may not want to be pigeonholed in certain locations.

[ullmandds]

excellent idea to group dealers by subject matter imo. I'd love to see that...that way I could skip all the shiny crap I have no interest in seeing.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Have the booth numbers displayed would be nice..but I think paying for where your table is will take precedent that giving random spaces based on the subject matter of the sales..

there were 4 days to look around so you can scout the area and figure where you want to go first and do 1/4 each day ...

[4815162342]

Great suggestions, Adam. You've said what we've all been thinking.

[the-illini]

If none of that is doable, would it be so hard to put some empty tables and chairs throughout the convention center so you could sit down?

I know a lot of people didn't like the Cleveland facility, but I loved that I could walk down any aisle and when I got to the end there was a huge group of tables and chairs (and beer vendors) nearby.

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by the-illini

If none of that is doable, would it be so hard to put some empty tables and chairs throughout the convention center so you could sit down?

I know a lot of people didn't like the Cleveland facility, but I loved that I could walk down any aisle and when I got to the end there was a huge group of tables and chairs (and beer vendors) nearby.

I believe a few Nationals ago in Chicago they did have various "rest areas" throughout the floor where those who got tired of walking could sit and relax before moving on. Sure, it takes up valuable floor space but I can tell you if I had a place to sit and relax and wipe the sweat off of my brow I surely would have stuck around longer and spent some more money. As it was I was tired, hot and hungry (and was not paying those crazy prices for food) and just wanted to get out of there.

[Exhibitman]

I'm not sure the logic of having corporate booths in the center really holds for this sort of show. People who want new cards and boxes to break will seek them out. Same with people looking for the graders. Most collectors I know just consider the center of the show to be an area to avoid.

The more serious concern is the noise that booths like the Topps booth are generating. If redemption contests and pack wars are to be part of the landscape then something has to be done to deal with the noise. I was sitting at tables near the Topps pavilion and it got so loud during those events that it was impossible to talk over it. If that is going to be part of the show then those booths have to move to a separate area. It is not fair to the surrounding dealers.

[slidekellyslide]

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[4815162342]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

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I think I saw her there on Saturday.

[buymycards]

Hi Chris, I agree completely. How about a few freaking chairs so we can rest awhile?

Rick