Upcoming Locations For The National

[judsonhamlin]

While I appreciate the AC convention - less than a 2 hour drive for me as well, the city itself is dreadful - think Gary, Indiana with sand - I have to imagine there are other venues in the DC to NYC area that hit all the check marks and are better situated for mass transit/interstates/major airports.

[Chris-Counts]

I agree that it makes sense to do Nationals somewhere west of the Mississippi River from time to time, like Dallas or Denver.

[GoCubsGo32]

Is there a reason why they keep rotating National in the same 2-3 cities?!

I don't get why they don't take the convention to other major cities across the US Gotta imagine CA, TX , FL would do well in helping gain new interest. Not sure keeping it in same citiies helps with exposure of the hobby.

[Jewish-collector]

There are many locations/venues that can't host the National for one reason or another:

Some venues are too small and/or don't have enough hotel rooms
Some venues not convenient to airports
Some venues/cities the union stuff too expensive and/or other legal issues
Some venues charge too much for having events in their building
Some venues/cities are not good baseball and/or sports towns
Some venues don't want it scheduled too far in the future. In other words, the venue wants the National committee to tell them practically in June or July that they want the show in their facility. But the National committee needs a few years in advance. (One of the Baltimore shows replaced Cleveland at the last minute a few years ago)

etc,... etc,... etc,...etc,... etc,... etc,...etc,... etc,... etc,...etc,... etc,...

After all of this analysis, it turns out Chicago and Cleveland are the only cities that don't have any of these issues and this is why they are considering alternating it between these two cities forever.

[ValKehl]

I keep hoping that someone will start a second National, a Winter National so to speak. Say, during Spring Training Season and alternating between Arizona and Florida venues. Even better, make this one a Vintage Pre-1980 National.

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

I keep hoping that someone will start a second National, a Winter National so to speak. Say, during Spring Training Season and alternating between Arizona and Florida venues. Even better, make this one a Vintage Pre-1980 National.

Val, I had the same thought as well, either as a complimentary show or to take the "national" over from the existing committee. As long as the existing committee is in charge, I'm not seeing the show moving. The question really comes down to do you think the corporate sponsors, dealers, auction houses, and autograph companies (like tri-star) would be open to doing a second, somewhat competing show? I think you would need to get everyone involved to really have a shot at a second show surviving.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

Val, I had the same thought as well, either as a complimentary show or to take the "national" over from the existing committee. As long as the existing committee is in charge, I'm not seeing the show moving. The question really comes down to do you think the corporate sponsors, dealers, auction houses, and autograph companies (like tri-star) would be open to doing a second, somewhat competing show? I think you would need to get everyone involved to really have a shot at a second show surviving.

DJ, I think "more is better" to an extent. In fact, I think the hobby will eventually get to 3-4 Nationals a year - each in a different season, and each in a different geographical area of the country. Now then, this may adversely affect a few of the large regional shows (e.g., the Chantilly Show). I have little doubt that the major dealers, auction houses, TPGs, etc. would attend all of these Nationals. As I see it, REA is a good example for "more is better." REA went from 1 auction per year to 2 auctions per year to 3 auctions per year (beginning in 2019); and, REA is attending lots of regional shows nowdays (and so are several other auction houses). The risk to major hobby players for not attending the hobby's major shows is "snooze, you lose" IMHO.

[topcat61]

The Hobby, seemingly in all aspects has evolved so much over the decades. I know Lionel Carter tried to start something of a convention in 1956 and it didn't work, but I think the history of sports conventions would be an interesting read. Does anyone have any literature one say, the first National? I'd be very curious to know how this stuff got off the ground and study how it got to where it is today. Thanks

[Leon]

There is talk about it. I love the National just not the way it's run.
And there seems to be some overwhelming support from dealers, AH's and others too, to have a different/another one.

Originally Posted by ValKehl

I keep hoping that someone will start a second National, a Winter National so to speak. Say, during Spring Training Season and alternating between Arizona and Florida venues. Even better, make this one a Vintage Pre-1980 National.

[obcbobd]

I think at one of the Net54 dinners, someone from the National spoke and said one of the criteria is the ability to schedule three years in advance. Many places would not do that. Never understood why three years are required. Is there really that much planning?

Bob