Is anyone excited about the National?

[Snapolit1]

AC hotel rooms on weekends in summer are def overpriced. Have to book six months in advance to get a $200 room at a decent place. That has to be a drag for people in business trying to turn a profit.

Originally Posted by rand1com

I always look forward to the National. This year marks


my 12th National as a dealer and they have all been a positive experience.

Sales are up or down mainly based on inventory and to a lesser extent location in the room but I have not been disappointed in any years.

Of course, I am not a full time dealer as I only set up at the National and the fall Boston show at the Shriner's venue.

AC is not my favorite venue due primarily to the ridiculous hotel rates on Friday and Saturday nights. Basically, the hotel cost is $500 for the week higher than Chicago or Cleveland for similar accommodations.

As to the earlier comment about the National only being in Chicago in future years, they work on a 3 year schedule and this year offered to the dealers the options of: Chicago/AC/Chicago, Chicago/Cleveland/Chicago, or Chicago/Chicago/Chicago for the next 3 years.

I have not heard the results of that poll but one of those 3 options will be in place for 2023-2025.

[philliesfan]

From Philly, it's a 1-1/2 hour drive, I should be there Friday and Saturday. I was thinking of finding a cheap place halfway from Philly to make the drive easier Saturday morning.

[parkplace33]

Saw this about the National in another forum

"Collectors used to have the cards in their pockets, then in bookbags, now in secured suitcases. Things have changed"

[bigfish]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

AC hotel rooms on weekends in summer are def overpriced. Have to book six months in advance to get a $200 room at a decent place. That has to be a drag for people in business trying to turn a profit.

I don’t think it’s that out of line if I compare rates in Boston, Portland Maine, and Portsmouth New Hampshire. All vacation spots and over 200 per night on the weekend.

The National is a great time every year. I think the positive experience far outweighs the costs associated. I might be bias since I am on the east coast. I would happily travel to the west coast for the show.

Have a great time at the show everyone!

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

AC hotel rooms on weekends in summer are def overpriced. Have to book six months in advance to get a $200 room at a decent place. That has to be a drag for people in business trying to turn a profit.

Needed three rooms for 5 nights. Wound up renting a condo is was over $1000 cheaper.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Needed three rooms for 5 nights. Wound up renting a condo is was over $1000 cheaper.

That is the way to do it. I have been renting condos and houses for many years instead of hotels.

Next month I am going to the Shaw Classic in Colorado. I rented a nice house in a great location with a fenced yard with a grill and fire pit for the same money as staying in a dumpy Motel 6.