Genuine question, what is with the National staying in Chicago

[Jewish-collector]

Each year the National will break the attendance record from the previous year, so I don't know how the hell the Stephens Convention Center will be able to handle the huge crowds.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I'd be all for Indianapolis or Cincinnati, but I feel like the reasons why these (and everywhere else) aren't happening have been discussed to death.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Each year the National will break the attendance record from the previous year, so I don't know how the hell the Stephens Convention Center will be able to handle the huge crowds.

I wouldn't assume that's a given. The modern market for shiny stuff, in particularly for football and basketball, is in the tank. Lots of those young dudes with the shiny little silver card cases have lost their ass big time in the last 2 years. The breaking business has taken a tremendous hit. The fractional goobers have all left town. The froth is off the market as we say on Wall Street.
Seems to me like a lot of the juice has been squeezed out of the lemon at this point.

I couldn't quantify it, but I suspect the amount of bidding on even the best most respected pre-war AHs is way down.

[toledo_mudhen]

I keep thinking that - At Some Point - they will give St. Louis another shot but not holding my breath.

Someone in threads noted that the last St. Louis National was 1995???

If so - Then that's the last time I attended the National - I have zero desire to go to Chicago......

[Vintagedeputy]

The National should move around the country to give everyone a chance to attend:

Chicago
New York
Atlanta
Atlantic City
LA
Richmond
Charlotte
Miami
Santa Fe
New Orleans
Seattle


You get the idea.

[Snapolit1]

In a perfect world, I wholeheartedly agree. But what we have heard over and over is that the economics just don't work.

If the Chicago location is very cheap for dealers compared to other places, I get it. The people who man the booths have to be able to turn a profit.

Unfortunately that might be the reality of it. But I don't like it. Chicago multiple years in a row is boring.





QUOTE=Vintagedeputy;2501148]The National should move around the country to give everyone a chance to attend:

Chicago
New York
Atlanta
Atlantic City
LA
Richmond
Charlotte
Miami
Santa Fe
New Orleans
Seattle


You get the idea.[/QUOTE]

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Unfortunately that might be the reality of it. But I don't like it. Chicago multiple years in a row is boring.

Chicago, as a place, is a great city and metropolis. Absolutely no bad feeling towards Chicagoland, but the specific area surrounding the convention center is an absolute snooze fest. Before there was an app for everything, I recall spending 45 minutes just driving around aimlessly looking for a decent Mom & Pop diner one morning. There was nothing around for miles. Just nothing. Residential. I think all I found was a Hardees, which is clearly the culinary opposite of the end goal of my quest. Absolutely nothing to do, either, unless you still have energy left over to drive a fair distance in who knows what kind of traffic. I have heard that this has been improved within the hotel/convention center complex, but hanging out around there would not be my idea of a good time. The only thing I want to do when in that area is leave as soon as possible.

I remember working a show in Schaumburg years ago. It's too bad that the venue is too small for a National, as it was much cheerier and in better repair. There was more to do in that area, too. Better food and enjoyable bars.

[sb1]

As a longtime National Dealer(since 1997) who does admittedly fly in and not drive, Chicago(Rosemont) is hands down the easiest venue to get to. Five minutes from O'Hare and once in your hotel room, you are connected directly to the convention center(others are down the street but easily walkable). And, there are dozens of restaurants within walking distance. No need for rental car or Uber, etc.

Edited to say, IT WAS Insufferably hot for the first two days of the last National and it is said they have replaced the AC system components at fault and should be much more comfortable this time around.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Vintagedeputy

The National should move around the country to give everyone a chance to attend:

Chicago
New York
Atlanta
Atlantic City
LA
Richmond
Charlotte
Miami
Santa Fe
New Orleans
Seattle


You get the idea.

I'd be good with that list. We can add some nice locations up north once we've annexed Canada.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

I'd be good with that list. We can add some nice locations up north once we've annexed Canada.

Not funny. Not appreciated.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Not funny. Not appreciated.

It wasn't my idea!

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Take that shit someplace else.