National Booth(s) Needed

[kmac32]

I would definitely do an Arizona National.

[Rich Klein]

I would (and I bet Leon would agree) love a Dallas National and although there are common sense reasons for one here: (Heritage, Panini, Beckett, Leaf, etc.) -- my guess is that we'll never have one here because

1) Too darned hot in the summer

2) Not enough hotel rooms downtown near the convention center

3) Arlington Convention Center not big enough in terms of size to host show

regards
rich

[prewarsports]

If you didn't have the autograph pavilion and got rid of those gigantic corporate spots in the middle of the show, I doubt you need an entire convention center. I live in Boise, Idaho and there are several civic centers and similar type buildings here that could fit 300 dealers, and Boise is small compared to most places.

I'm about ready to throw in the towel and just attend the show as a spectator and hook up with people when I can. I appreciate the help and the lively conversation!

Rhys

[Rich Klein]

For the foreseeable future, we have corporates and autographs

1) Corporates do add quite a bit to a show. They give average collectors (at least those who can afford to spend the admission fee plus parking) an actual opportunity to talk to real people who are important to their business. Some companies do a better job than others at bringing in people -- I know Panini have tons of people who run the day to day operation there every day. Plus you get to talk to other people as well depending on what you do. I do realize on this board that is not as important but as Leon would say, we are about 1/2 of 1 percent of all collectors. And for most of the other 99 percent it's cool to have those people here

I just realized I posted I'm in the 1 percent. Dang, we are all honored by being in such an exclusive group

2) The Autograph people are out of the show floor way. I don't have a problem with where they are. They are fine as they are and Tri-Star does a great job of bringing in guests. And if you purchase the VIP or Super VIP ticket there are always some cool guests you can get to sign for free. I personally have no issue with autograph guests.

3) Yes, the 1980's were great where tables were cheap but guess what, that was 30 years ago.

Rich

[rhettyeakley]

Wow, only 280 dealers. No wonder they "Sold Out" so fast. They just simply made the show smaller hoping nobody would notice.

I get the point of the Corporate Booths and everything but who really wants to pay $125-250 to get a all-access pass to the show for the chance to overpay for autographs and then get a few free promo cards from the carnival barkers at the Topps Booth?

It seems like they are moving away from the show being an actual card show to more of a Comic-Con type experience without any of the actual things that draw people to those types of shows.

[rhettyeakley]

An old link from Cardboard Connection talking about the 2013 version of the show...

http://www.cardboardconnection.com/n...up-takes-shape

The 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention is the biggest event of the year when it comes to sports cards and memorabilia. The 2013 National takes place at Chicago's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center from Wednesday, July 31 through Sunday, August 4. This is the event's 34th year.

About 600 dealers will be on hand, giving collectors a massive amount of cards and memorabilia to look at and purchase. About 50 corporate booths will also be set up, including major card manufacturers. The National is always a great place to find exclusive cards not available anywhere else. For many, the highlight will be meeting past and present athletes during autograph signings and photo opportunities.

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

An old link from Cardboard Connection talking about the 2013 version of the show...

http://www.cardboardconnection.com/n...up-takes-shape

The 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention is the biggest event of the year when it comes to sports cards and memorabilia. The 2013 National takes place at Chicago's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center from Wednesday, July 31 through Sunday, August 4. This is the event's 34th year.

About 600 dealers will be on hand, giving collectors a massive amount of cards and memorabilia to look at and purchase. About 50 corporate booths will also be set up, including major card manufacturers. The National is always a great place to find exclusive cards not available anywhere else. For many, the highlight will be meeting past and present athletes during autograph signings and photo opportunities.

Yes, but you have to remember that was during the good ol' days of four years ago.

[ValKehl]

What I would really like to see take place is an annual "Pre-War National." I would even settle for an annual "Pre-1980 National." No corporate booths, other than TPGs, auction houses, and hobby pubs, and no autograph signers.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

What I would really like to see take place is an annual "Pre-War National." I would even settle for an annual "Pre-1980 National." No corporate booths, other than TPGs, auction houses, and hobby pubs, and no autograph signers.

Revolutionary idea

Oops!!!

that would be the Pre-National War.

Sorry

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

What I would really like to see take place is an annual "Pre-War National." I would even settle for an annual "Pre-1980 National." No corporate booths, other than TPGs, auction houses, and hobby pubs, and no autograph signers.

It's been a while but we used to have "pre-1980" shows in which as a dealer you had to display nothing after 1980 at your table. They did OK with the dealers but attendance was a bit off as our 1/2 of 1 percent of all collectors did not come out with enough fervor to make them truly successful to everyone.

I should add, I'm not against this concept at all, we just have to understand what the pros and cons are.

Rich

[ValKehl]

Rich, I never knew there had been any "pre-1980" shows. Where were they held and how long ago?

[Rich Klein]

I know Ed Keetz had one or two in the Albany area and I think there was one other place in the Boston/Baltimore megalopolis where that was done. It was fun to attend as a customer and not have to see happy shiny cards. Not that there is anything wrong with happy shiny cards, but just seeing everyone's best material on display was really cool.

The pre-1980 show was sometime in the 1990's. Perhaps don has the exact date (s)

Rich