Genuine question, what is with the National staying in Chicago

[Jewish-collector]

Agreed. If they insist on keeping the National in Chicago, they need to move it to the McCormick Center.

https://www.mccormickplace.com/

[Leon]

The Donald Stephens Convention Center isn't that great but it's a great location, imo. Easy to get to, easy to get to stuff around it.....all in all, I like it and wish it would stay there. Everyone has their own view.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Leon

The Donald Stephens Convention Center isn't that great but it's a great location, imo. Easy to get to, easy to get to stuff around it.....all in all, I like it and wish it would stay there. Everyone has their own view.

Agreed. The place is a dump but it’s easy to get to and is connected to hotels. And there are some restaurants within walking distance. If it can’t be in Baltimore, Chicago is the best place.

[skelly]

On a random note, are we at the point where there could be a “modern” national ( say mid 90’s cards and newer ) and then a vintage national. I realize some people collect both.

[Leon]

To answer the question specifically, if I recall, when Mike Burkus (RIP) spoke at one of the Net54baseball Dinners, he said it was cost, ingress/egress, and being able to do a contract several years out, were the main reasons for where the National was held. For those that don't know, Mike managed, and helped found, the National since day one until he passed in late 2015.

[Snapolit1]

Seems like a short sighted move. Like anything else, you want to grow the business model. Expose it to more people. Would make more sense to have in different locales. Give people opportunity to make it a vacation, etc. With present location you are just churning the same hard core base of people year after year.

Chicago a nice town. Business takes me there a few times a year. Nothing interesting about it as a convention locale.

[Rich Klein]

Simplest Reasons

1) As noted: Easy access to the show from the airport for out-of-town guests and dealers

2) The Stephens people know how to run shows. Air Conditioning should be better going forward. Cost appears from these comments to be reasonable for the promoters as well.

**** 3) The DEALERS who vote on where to put the show want it there. Until some location shows it can be better for them than Chicago, then folks we ain't moving. ******

4) As noted; Plenty of food and hotel options accessible. Baltimore, St. Louis (1995) and Anaheim are also great locations for hotels/walking to the show/accessibility to dining places. Atlanta is improving on those levels but unless you like heat more oppressive than Chicago can be, then that's not for you.

[toppcat]

Considering how close it is to the airport, the number of hotels and restaurants in walking distance (plus the Chicago Dogs ballpark, shopping, casinos), it's a fairly good location. Yeah the AC sucks and the food onsite is a joke (although it's quite easy to have something delivered) but the way the whole thing is essentially in one place is pretty sweet I think. And if you want to go Downtown, there is public transit close by.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Agreed. The place is a dump but it’s easy to get to and is connected to hotels. And there are some restaurants within walking distance. If it can’t be in Baltimore, Chicago is the best place.

Agreed, with the proviso that the best venue I've seen for a card show was the Javits Center in Manhattan; I didn't care for Fanatics Fest but was impressed by the venue. The cost is hellish (tables would have to cost 3x as much) but the facility itself is exceptional and an easy walk to transport, food, hotels, etc.

[timn1]

They have a sweet deal with the Stephens Center, I imagine - McCormick would be in another league of costs. It's not that convenient for the suburban crowd that goes to the National either.

But guys, jeez! - I get the heat, but that's the time of year. It's hot everywhere. Stephens is far superior to the other recent venues IMHO, and it has a lot of hotel space right there, which the others don't have. The Cleveland hotel situation last year was really deplorable - we were in an inconvenient shithole in which nothing worked, AND it was as expensive as the Rosemont places.

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Agreed. If they insist on keeping the National in Chicago, they need to move it to the McCormick Center.

https://www.mccormickplace.com/

Probably too expensive to rent.

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Agreed. If they insist on keeping the National in Chicago, they need to move it to the McCormick Center.

https://www.mccormickplace.com/

As a lifetime Chicago area resident, McCormick place is a great venue but not one that is considered convenient to get to. I believe the second time the National was in Chicago it was held at McCormick place and I really was an awesome location in terms of show space but I didn't enjoy the mile walk just to get in the door. My family would always attend the Chicago Auto Show held at the same location and always felt it just wasnt a place we suburban residents really wanted to go to. Mayor Stephens in Rosemont recognized this which is why he built his empire...I mean the convention center where it was built.

[Rich Klein]

Actually McCormick was the 3rd Chicago show in 1993

1983 and 1989 were held in hotel ballrooms

Rich

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Actually McCormick was the 3rd Chicago show in 1993

1983 and 1989 were held in hotel ballrooms

Rich

You are right, I believe the others were held at the Hyatt downtown.

[Chicosbailbonds]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Agreed. If they insist on keeping the National in Chicago, they need to move it to the McCormick Center.

https://www.mccormickplace.com/

Agree.

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Agreed. If they insist on keeping the National in Chicago, they need to move it to the McCormick Center.

https://www.mccormickplace.com/

In my experience which is dated, McComick is brutal when it comes to union regulations and oversight. Many years ago I knew a vendor who had a jam in his trade booth. He used a pocket knife to unjam it and was fined for use of a tool by a non-union member.