Future of the National – South and West Locations

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

In the past it has always been the East Coast (& to a lesser extent the Midwest) dealers telling the Committee that they weren’t willing to travel west. That has always I feel been enough to persuade the committee that they shouldn’t because they didn’t want to have an empty convention hall. With the current popularity of sports cards/collectibles that doesn’t really feel like a valid enough reason anymore. There are literal waiting lists for booths at these shows.

It is incredibly short sighted by the committee to continue short-changing the non East Coast/Midwest collectors & dealers.

Being in Idaho I know I am going to have to travel far for any show, it is something that comes with the territory. The East/Midwest guys have never felt the need to conform to a traveling venue, nor do they feel like they should ever have to. They have always had the show in their backyard but I guarantee they would travel every few years if they were to do a Vegas/West coast show every 3rd year or something.

Exactly because they know they would make a S Ton of money in Las Vegas. If the Money is there to be made there is no way in hell they, the dealers would miss it. I’m not saying get rid of AC or Chicago how about throw a Las Vegas in Every 3-5 years.

[ValKehl]

I am very surprised that some ambitious, forward-thinking, sports-card show promoter hasn't started an annual "Western National Sports Collectors Show" long before now, held each winter (February would be ideal, IMHO). I have been to a National at Anaheim, and based on that experience, I have little doubt that a show promoter would be able to fill a huge venue with dealers, including most of the major dealers from the East Coast, especially if said promoter set low table fees for the first year or two with the goal of merely breaking even until the show becomes fully established.

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

I am very surprised that some ambitious, forward-thinking, sports-card show promoter hasn't started an annual "Western National Sports Collectors Show" long before now, held each winter (February would be ideal, IMHO). I have been to a National at Anaheim, and based on that experience, I have little doubt that a show promoter would be able to fill a huge venue with dealers, including most of the major dealers from the East Coast, especially if said promoter set low table fees for the first year or two with the goal of merely breaking even until the show becomes fully established.

I agree. It appears that the folks who run the show think the venues in the current rotation are the most profitable and least risky options for them. It's their decision because it's their investment on the line. And I have no problem at all with that. If a market isn't being served, then I think you'll just have to wait for someone else to recognize that and start a new show.

[KCRfan1]

If the goal is to get foot traffic ( hence consumers ) thru the door, the show has to be in the eastern part of the country.

This is where the population base is. A venue in Cleveland, drawing an 800 mile radius, has access to tens of millions of people. AC is the same, as is Chicago although a lesser extent.

This is a distance that can be driven in a day.

Vegas, unless you live in LA, you are flying, not to mention a much more limited population to draw from with the same 800 mile radius.

I live in South County and would love a national, however if I were involved in the decision making process there is no way I go west with the show.

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by KCRfan1

If the goal is to get foot traffic ( hence consumers ) thru the door, the show has to be in the eastern part of the country.

This is where the population base is. A venue in Cleveland, drawing an 800 mile radius, has access to tens of millions of people. AC is the same, as is Chicago although a lesser extent.

This is a distance that can be driven in a day.

Vegas, unless you live in LA, you are flying, not to mention a much more limited population to draw from with the same 800 mile radius.

I live in South County and would love a national, however if I were involved in the decision making process there is no way I go west with the show.

55,000,000 people live within 500 miles of Vegas.
50,000,000 live within 500 miles of Dallas (about the same for L.A.)
**For comparison Chicago has 85,000,000 that live within 500 miles**

We aren't talking about moving it there every year, just throwing a bone to those populations that aren't served by the same venues year after year.

[perezfan]

Unless they throw a bone to somewhere west of the Mississippi, they should just rename it "The Regional".

[KCRfan1]

I agree Rhett.

I would love a National here.

I have never been to one and probably never will living in OC. Now if I go, I pay airfare and hotel rooms. That's a grand already. A west coast show is only driving.....gas maybe a hotel room, that leaves so much more money I can spend on cards to support the venue. If it is LA or SD, only gas money.

My guess, and that is all it is, is that many east coast dealers will decline a trip west due to expense, travel time, and more burdensome to transport items to sell.

The show likely becomes a west coast dealer venue, and a smaller venue at that.

From a business standpoint, I don't see it happening.

But I would absolutely love it if it did! I would love a bone tossed to SoCal even if it were as you suggested, every 3 or 5 years.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

55,000,000 people live within 500 miles of Vegas.
50,000,000 live within 500 miles of Dallas (about the same for L.A.)
**For comparison Chicago has 85,000,000 that live within 500 miles**

We aren't talking about moving it there every year, just throwing a bone to those populations that aren't served by the same venues year after year.

How many people are within 100 miles or 200 miles? Only serious collectors are going to travel 500 miles for a show and it is going to take extra days of travel plus extra hotel costs. A lot of traffic comes from those who can make it a day trip. I am ok with LA or Dallas, but Las Vegas makes no sense.

With the recent growth of the hobby the National should look at expanding the number of venues it visits. That is how it was when the hobby was growing in the 80s. The show should be profitable now no matter the distance traveled.

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

55,000,000 people live within 500 miles of Vegas.
50,000,000 live within 500 miles of Dallas (about the same for L.A.)
**For comparison Chicago has 85,000,000 that live within 500 miles**

We aren't talking about moving it there every year, just throwing a bone to those populations that aren't served by the same venues year after year.

Continuing on . . .

Atlantic City has 94,000,000 people within 500 miles

Cleveland has 130,000,000 people within 500 miles


Other considerations aside, the National location population numbers speak for themselves.

"If you build it they will come." Maybe.

But if you build it where they are, well, they're already there.

What successful business would say "Hey, let's forgo one of our current locations for one that has less than two thirds of the population?

[Exhibitman]

Population within x miles is irrelevant. I have had to plane travel to every National since 2006. Whether I am flying 500 miles or 3000 is basically the same. What counts is number of direct flights and difficulty of ground transport in and out once I land. Chicago is easy. New York is easy. Cleveland has only a few direct flights from LA but is easy once on the ground. Baltimore was great because I could visit NY first then take a very pleasant train ride. AC is quite difficult no matter what airport I use. Last I checked the only airline that went to AC is Spirit and I had to get to Detroit to catch that flight. No ready train access either. The choice is basically Philadelphia then drive an hour.

We've had this discussion before and have always heard the same excuses. The reality is that the people who run the show live on the proceeds and will only go where they can get the venue for nothing, or next to nothing, and where the downside risk of hotel reservation counts is minimal.

[Sportsnutcards]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Exactly because they know they would make a S Ton of money in Las Vegas. If the Money is there to be made there is no way in hell they, the dealers would miss it. I’m not saying get rid of AC or Chicago how about throw a Las Vegas in Every 3-5 years.

I actually think the National would be a major flop in Vegas. Vegas is great for tradeshows, not so much for consumer shows. I am not a big fan of it being in Atlantic city, but at least it is drivable from 3 Major Metro areas.

[mr2686]

Las Vegas has a yearly Industry Summit and a (so far) 200 table show to go with it (their goal is at least 400 tables). I suspect that we collectors out West will have to settle for that and help it grow until it's our own West Coast National.

[parkplace33]

Lots of great responses here. I hope the board will be more forward leaning and look for more venues in the future.

Another question I have is why AC continues to be in the mix. It isn’t a destination spot and is 2 hours away from a major airport.

[theuclakid]

I was told because it costs the NSCC organization very little to use that venue, more profit for them

Bruce Perry

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by theuclakid

I was told because it costs the NSCC organization very little to use that venue, more profit for them

Bruce Perry

That is interesting.

I just wish the Board wasn't resting on its laurels. The hobby has changed greatly in the last few years and there are collectors all over the world. I think it is time for a change.

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

That is interesting.

I just wish the Board wasn't resting on its laurels. The hobby has changed greatly in the last few years and there are collectors all over the world.. I think it is time for a change.

Great! Be sure to let us all know when and where you'll be hosting the inaugural "International."