Some National Thoughts

[Tim Fritz]

I went to my first National last year in Chicago and will go again when it heads back in 2011. As a low-end vintage collector I looked at going to the National as visit to a museum and a card show in one.

I got to see cards and memorabilia that I've never seen in person before and spent a few hundred bucks along the way. Also got to meet and talk with fellow collectors. I was the sponge. The $100 or so I spent to get there, park and get in would be the same as going to a museum in Chicago. I thought the admission price was very fair.

One thing that I thought would be cool is to have more of an entrance area that grabs your attention. You could have music/videos playing in there maybe for people that want a break from the floor or get you juiced up to being at world class card show. I know it all adds to the bottom line, but just my 2 cents worth.

[danmckee]

Great thread!!! Cleveland I-X center has easy access to onsight bars, Chicago did not, nuff said on which location is better.

Sales wise, my 3 best shows ever were: Cleveland, Cleveland, and Cleveland.

Though this show was good for me, it wasn't one of my best 3.

I did manage to go from a priority 28 to a priority 3 and will now be at the very back of the Baltimore National with probably the best display in the show as I will be bringing out much of my personal Baltimore collection for sale.

I think someone forgot that we are exempt from all Anaheim shows since we were robbed in 1991 and counted me missing those shows against me.

I can't win

[Dan Carson]

I think the National should be held on the west coast, until cooler heads prevail!

[tbob]

I thought I read somewhere where the people who organized the great National in Arlington, Texas (Dallas) either passed away or due to bad health were no longer able to participate. Wanda Marcus and her husband maybe? I believe it was in the early 90's. I bought my first tobacco cards at that National so it holds a special place in my heart. Someone also mentioned Kansas City. There used to be a terrific show there in the 90's which rivaled the National but I haven't heard anything about it in many years.
Boston? Would be great. I'd love to go to New Orleans or Vegas also but my thought is that they are probably out of the question

[Rich Klein]

IIRC; she had elective surgery for a torn rotator cuff so she could play more golf and do less work. Sadly; she never woke up from the surgery.

Our show may be too big for the current Arlington Convention Center and the Dallas Convention Center being downtown would mean even more of a ghost town on Sunday of the National and before. However; soon at least we'll be able to walk to the CC from the Host Hotel.

IIRC; Market Hall in Dallas has enough room for the show; but no one other than me seems to like that location for a show in the DFW area.

Rich

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Market Hall in Dallas has enough room for the show; but no one other than me seems to like that location for a show in the DFW area.

Rich

I do!!!!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Bicem

I do!!!!

I vote for Dallas since there are no Convention Centers (or barely street lights) in Lucas TX......

[Joe Hunter]

tBob: The great shows you were referring to in KC were promoted by John Mailen and Jim Cumpton. They started in the early to mid "80's and ran through the very early '90's. They always had great autograph guests(Mantle, Williams, DiMaggio, etc), and their fees were very reasonable. Tristar also had some decent shows after Mailen and Cumpton ended theirs, but I didn't think they were as good. As much as I would like to see a National in KC, the venue is just not there. KC is more suited for regional shows, which have been few and far between.