2017 National

[Snapolit1]

This time last year half the board was in a lather about how violent Atlantic City is and how you couldn't walk the streets, etc., etc. Was the wild west all of a sudden. No one's commented on Chicago's 183 murders yet. Yeah, I know, like in Atlantic City they are not neighborhoods you are likely to be in. So far AC has 5.

[packs]

At least the National is during the summer. Otherwise you guys would have to deal with "dibs" during the winter. I've never seen anything as absurd as the dibs system in Chicago.

[trdcrdkid]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

This time last year half the board was in a lather about how violent Atlantic City is and how you couldn't walk the streets, etc., etc. Was the wild west all of a sudden. No one's commented on Chicago's 183 murders yet. Yeah, I know, like in Atlantic City they are not neighborhoods you are likely to be in. So far AC has 5.

Yeah, the vast majority of those murders in Chicago are on the South and West Sides, many miles from Rosemont, where the convention is held, and downtown, where out of town visitors are likely to go if they leave Rosemont. Rosemont is basically an island, run for the last 60 years by the Stephens family, that's about as safe a place as you're going to find.

[buymycards]

I spent 2 days at the Chicago national, and it wasn't enough. No autographs. The first day I went from booth to booth fairly quickly and made notes of tables that I wanted to return to. On the second day I spent a lot of time at some of the tables, dug through a lot of bins and boxes. I was there 8-9 hours per day on Thursday and Friday and I wish I could have stayed for Saturday and Sunday.

Some dealers will trade, and I have done well in the past selling cards to dealers. Some take credit cards and PayPal, but cash is king.

My wife and I will be there in July, (she is a saint!), and we plan on spending 2 days at the show. My plan is the same as always - spend most of my time on the perimeter of the show, or way in the back, working with the smaller dealers, where some good bargains can be found.

[sreader3]

I will be attending the National for the first time since Anaheim in the mid-80s.

Here are the confirmed baseball signers for the show:

Alex Rodriguez
Andre Dawson
Cal Ripken Jr.
Dave Winfield
Dennis Eckersley
Eddie Murray
Frank Robinson
Jim Rice
Kerry Wood
Lou Brock
Mark Grace
Ozzie Smith
Pedro Martinez
Pete Rose
Reggie Jackson
Scott Williamson
Steve Carlton
Steve Trachsel
Tony LaRussa

Not sure who wants ARod's auto but to each his own.

[Leon]

I should mention, with what I know now and if it doesn't change, I think we will have our best Net54baseball National Dinner ever. It will be on Friday night and more details and an rsvp thread later on. As for me, will have family in tow for the first time and not be setting up at all. Pure fun and walking around with no table to be tied to this time ..That being said, I might be the guy going as "The Anonymous Collector" with a brown bag over my head, with eyes cut out to see, so I don't get distracted by too many acquaintances and friends. ...can't wait.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by Leon

I should mention, with what I know now and if it doesn't change, I think we will have our best Net54baseball National Dinner ever. It will be on Friday night and more details and an rsvp thread later on. As for me, will have family in tow for the first time and not be setting up at all. Pure fun and walking around with no table to be tied to this time ..That being said, I might be the guy going as "The Anonymous Collector" with a brown bag over my head, with eyes cut out to see, so I don't get distracted by too many acquaintances and friends. ...can't wait.

Sounds great, Leon. The Net54 dinner in 2015 was tremendous! For those of you who have never been to one (and that's the first one I went to), I think it will be well worth it.

Best wishes,

Larry

[sreader3]

Originally Posted by Leon

I should mention, with what I know now and if it doesn't change, I think we will have our best Net54baseball National Dinner ever. It will be on Friday night and more details and an rsvp thread later on. As for me, will have family in tow for the first time and not be setting up at all. Pure fun and walking around with no table to be tied to this time ..That being said, I might be the guy going as "The Anonymous Collector" with a brown bag over my head, with eyes cut out to see, so I don't get distracted by too many acquaintances and friends. ...can't wait.

Leon,

Any idea on the location--even if tentative?

Scot

[Enfuego]

We should consider Florida..

[Leon]

The room is already booked/reserved for Friday night of the National at the Rosemont Embassy Suites, connected to the Convention Center. All members are invited and an RSVP thread will be in a few months.

Originally Posted by sreader3

Leon,

Any idea on the location--even if tentative?

Scot

[kmac32]

Originally Posted by Leon

I should mention, with what I know now and if it doesn't change, I think we will have our best Net54baseball National Dinner ever. It will be on Friday night and more details and an rsvp thread later on. As for me, will have family in tow for the first time and not be setting up at all. Pure fun and walking around with no table to be tied to this time ..That being said, I might be the guy going as "The Anonymous Collector" with a brown bag over my head, with eyes cut out to see, so I don't get distracted by too many acquaintances and friends. ...can't wait.

Made the leap and I am in, including the Net 54 dinner. I need. A ballcard fix like a junkie need heroin. Hope to see all there.

Kmac

[puckpaul]

Not sure who wants ARod's auto but to each his own.[/QUOTE]

maybe if they add J. Lo to the ball? This guy won't go away.....

[Jewish-collector]

For this years Net54 dinner, what Leon should do (Hi Leon !!!) is set up a different collection theme at each of the tables, so one table would have a sign saying T206 cards, another table Goudey/Play ball cards, another table sign saying E cards, Type cards cards, vintage autographs, vintage memorabilia, vintage photos, etc,... and then each members can sit at the area they're are interested in to discuss those particular topics after the speakers finish. Leon can decide on the table headings or just have a vote for them.

Just a thought.

[whiteymet]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

For this years Net54 dinner, what Leon should do (Hi Leon !!!) is set up a different collection theme at each of the tables, so one table would have a sign saying T206 cards, another table Goudey/Play ball cards, another table sign saying E cards, Type cards cards, vintage autographs, vintage memorabilia, vintage photos, etc,... and then each members can sit at the area they're are interested in to discuss those particular topics after the speakers finish. Leon can decide on the table headings or just have a vote for them.

Just a thought.

Great idea! Makes sense to sit with guys that collect what you collect.

Fred

[kmac32]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

For this years Net54 dinner, what Leon should do (Hi Leon !!!) is set up a different collection theme at each of the tables, so one table would have a sign saying T206 cards, another table Goudey/Play ball cards, another table sign saying E cards, Type cards cards, vintage autographs, vintage memorabilia, vintage photos, etc,... and then each members can sit at the area they're are interested in to discuss those particular topics after the speakers finish. Leon can decide on the table headings or just have a vote for them.

Just a thought.

Wow, I can sit at T, E, and W tables....a regular social butterfly.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by buymycards

I spent 2 days at the Chicago national, and it wasn't enough. No autographs. The first day I went from booth to booth fairly quickly and made notes of tables that I wanted to return to. On the second day I spent a lot of time at some of the tables, dug through a lot of bins and boxes. I was there 8-9 hours per day on Thursday and Friday and I wish I could have stayed for Saturday and Sunday.

Some dealers will trade, and I have done well in the past selling cards to dealers. Some take credit cards and PayPal, but cash is king.

My wife and I will be there in July, (she is a saint!), and we plan on spending 2 days at the show. My plan is the same as always - spend most of my time on the perimeter of the show, or way in the back, working with the smaller dealers, where some good bargains can be found.

My experience coincides with the above. Two days is usually sufficient for me, but my focus for each National tends to be somewhat narrow with regard to the cards (tables featuring new or modern cards are given only a quick glance). I don't do autographs at all, though.

Best of luck to you at Chicago,

Larry