Future of the National – South and West Locations

[buymycards]

So, I know this will never happen, but why can't there be 2 National Conventions per year? The Rosemont is always sold out and there are 100's of dealers who would like to set up, but the "legacy" dealers (many who seem to still have the same inventory that they had in the 1990's) have all of the spots locked up.

Maybe we could see some new dealers, with fresh inventory. There are plenty of dealers from the Midwest, the South, and from the West Coast who could take the place of the dealers from the east coast who don't want to make the trip.

[Exhibitman]

That's sort of what Comicon has done with the regional shows.

[theuclakid]

Cleveland's IX center was sold to new owners and has reopened to hosting conventions....I believe this fall already....dont know if the NSCC has contacted them yet about hosting the Nationals again in the near future

I would love to see 2 or 3 large shows a year to encompass the west, midwest and east areas of the country......

there hasn't been a National convention in Texas since 1995 (Houston) or in the south at all since Atlanta in 1999

Bruce Perry

[BobC]

Originally Posted by theuclakid

Cleveland's IX center was sold to new owners and has reopened to hosting conventions....I believe this fall already....dont know if the NSCC has contacted them yet about hosting the Nationals again in the near future
Bruce Perry

The IX Center was not sold. It was, and still remains, owned by the City of Cleveland. The company that leased it from the City of Cleveland was purchased by a real estate development company that plans to continue on with the lease and to do some renovations to the structure and sublease part of it out as industrial property. The plan is to continue using the balance of the structure for shows and conventions as it had been used for leading up to the pandemic. No idea on how soon the renovations and subleasing will take place yet.

And this is why I said in an earlier post to not be surprised if the National may come back to Cleveland.

The building is huge and could have easily accomodated so many more dealers when they had the National in Cleveland. Always figured they didn't expand it more because when they had subsequent Nationals in other cities they wouldn't be able to include all the dealers they had in Cleveland. I know Rosemont is really close to O'Hare, but that doesn't hold a candle to the IX Center literally being at the end of the Hopkins Airport runway. The building is right by the junction of major north-south and east-west freeways, and has a parking lot that I don't remember ever being close to filled. The major downside is the IX Center is not surrounded by hotels, bars, and restaurants like the Stephens Center is in Chicago. But unlike Chicago, you can actually get around Cleveland easily by car, without all the ridiculous toll roads, and no serious rush hour traffic like Chicago and other cities. You can easily get downtown and have access in the area to things like the Rock and Roll HOF and even the original League Park (and museum) where the Cleveland Naps played and the first ever unofficiall all-star type game took place when they held a benefit game there for Addie Joss' widow and family. And the Canton Football HOF is only about an hour away by car as well. I know many didn't like Cleveland because you couldn't just walk everywhere, but there is still a lot to do and see if you know where you're going. Would like to see the National come back there some day.

[Exhibitman]

I always have a good show in CLE.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I always have a good show in CLE.

I used to, too...until the last one. I could have bought the minuscule pickups I found from home for a lot less time, money and effort.

Cleveland was my last show location where I always fared really well. After that disappointing experience, I reasoned that I was done with the National altogether. No regrets.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by buymycards

So, I know this will never happen, but why can't there be 2 National Conventions per year? The Rosemont is always sold out and there are 100's of dealers who would like to set up, but the "legacy" dealers (many who seem to still have the same inventory that they had in the 1990's) have all of the spots locked up.

Maybe we could see some new dealers, with fresh inventory. There are plenty of dealers from the Midwest, the South, and from the West Coast who could take the place of the dealers from the east coast who don't want to make the trip.

there were a few dozen booths awarded to new dealers at this year's lottery. I know because I got the 2nd to last one! If that is any indicator there is more turnover than most people realize

[25801wv]

I would vote Las Vegas!

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by 25801wv

I would vote Las Vegas!

+1