Some National Thoughts

mberkus · #1 08-06-2009, 01:53 PM

Hi, been reading all the posts and as you all probably figured out, there are as many opinions as collectors. Anyway, here is an update, we signed a 3 show deal in Chicago (2011, 2013, 2015). This was instituted basically because we were threatened by a local promotor to take over the Rosemont location and prevent us from running any future shows. Sad, but we did prevail. This was attempted by the Sportfest group 8 years ago as well. Seems like none of the smaller regional shows are happy just running their own event, they try very hard to kill the National. So far it's the National 3 Obsolete Shows 0. I am sure another group will try again.

So, we have Balt 2010, Chicago 2011, Cleveland 2012, Chicago 2013, 2014 is open, 2015 is Chicago. We are looking at Atlantic City, Las Vegas, I will try Anaheim again, Dallas, St. Louis, and Boston.

As for Toronto, lots of rules and regulations about going back and forth. I heard horror stories from dealers taking inventories across the border. Plus, not sure about facilities or taxes?

KC has not produced a sucessful show in years, not sure why but it seems that many of the cities that had very popular annual shows have died off for the same reason....eBay? When we started the National, Detroit, St.Louis, Indianapolis, KC, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philly, Mpls, Long Island, Pittsburg, San Francisco, Seattle, Arizona, North Carolina, and NJ had tons of shows and all solid. TriStar and Naxcom tried to reinstate the local regional theme and to the best of my knowledge, just found very little interest.

Well, just remember, you don't attend the National for the food, bathrooms, parking, hotels, sightseeing, or weather. As long as the dealers are buying and selling the best of the best, it becomes a great mecca for all of us serious collectors.

Check out the ESPN coverage of the show, very positive.

Thanks again for caring, without the emotion, we have nothing.

Regards,

Mike Berkus

Exhibitman · #2 08-06-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mberkus

Well, just remember, you don't attend the National for the food, bathrooms, parking, hotels, sightseeing, or weather.

True, but having a crappy facility, etc., when a nice one can be had just as easily doesn't make a lot of sense. It also dissuades some guys whose families come to these events from showing up. At least a few friends of mine did not make the trip this year because their families rebelled. Granted, you could argue that the guys should probably have hitched up their skirts, found their nards, and made the trip solo, but you can't criticize them too much for acquiescing to their families' demands for a better vacation than Cleveland. My point is that the National rotation is alienating a portion of the customer base, which can't be good for anyone, and is doing so needlessly.

Vegas, Baby! That would be soooo choice.

Matt · #3 08-06-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Vegas, Baby! That would be soooo choice.

You don't think customers would spend some of their card buying budget elsewhere if the Nat was in Vegas?

Exhibitman · #4 08-06-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

You don't think customers would spend some of their card buying budget elsewhere if the Nat was in Vegas?

I seriously doubt it. We collectors have already proven our obsessiveness by traveling to third rate cities with fourth rate facilities just to chase old cardboard. I have yet to hear of anyone dropping their card budget on attractions, food, accommodations, etc., even in the purportedly more interesting locales that have hosted shows in the past (Anaheim, SF, AC, etc.). If anything, the increased attendance from having a first rate destination that our families will want to visit would more than offset any attraction-related losses. I'd bet (pun intended) that some collectors who won't go to some of the cities mentioned as possible hosts will go to Vegas and that some collectors who visit the show for a day or two would extend their stays.

Jacklitsch · #5 08-06-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Vegas, Baby! That would be soooo choice.

Ditto

perezfan · #6 08-06-2009, 05:19 PM

I love the Las Vegas idea as well... they should give at least some consideration to the West, and the convention center there can surely accomodate.

Another factor nobody has mentioned is airport accessability and the nimber of direct flights. Las Vegas has tons of direct flights, and can accomodate travelers as well as any city. Connecting flights/limited selection of flights are a real pain, and this factor influences whether or not people decide to attend.

Another Western city that hasn't been mentioned much is Denver. Again, it provides easy access from most areas in the U.S. and has a Major League Team (if that's a factor that matters to people).

Lastly, San Diego is a great city and a place that people LOVE to visit. Not sure about their convention center's size, but I know it's a recently new/improved one, and sits right on the beautiful harbor. It's easily walkable to scores of hotels, bars, good restauraunts, the Gaslamp Quarter, etc. Plus, they have a major league baseball team and lots of other nearby attractions for those who make a vacation out of it (Beach, Zoo, Sea World, Tijuana, etc.). You can easily walk from the Convention Center to Petco Park (as well as tons of restaurants and bars) in about 5 minutes. There cannot be a better venue!

Hopefully, it's not asking too much for perhaps 1 out of every 8 shows to be west of the Mississippi?

Rich Klein · #7 08-06-2009, 06:11 PM

In reality, the best option (and I know this would upset some people) is the Rosemont facility every year. Good central location; Near Major Highways; near an airport; good public transportation close to the show; you can stay at a hotel to your budget concern and if you park where the train lets off; you can save quite a bit on parking and the walk is really not that bad. Also within a reasonable drive of many mid-west collecting hubs (St Louis; Milwaukee; Detroit,..)

In April; I was up for a family wedding and visited the area around the Baltimore Convention Center. Most of the same positives I mentioned for Chicago is there as well and with any luck we will have Orioles Home Games during the convention. No guarantee on that as the AL schedule is not released until September at the earliest. Also within a reasonable drive of NY City on south (4-5 hours from NYC) and only about 2 hours from Philly. Excellent customer base -- and I'm sure Papa John; MB and Mr. Wilke will do a good job promoting the show. (As an aside; I saw many people at this year's National who obviously had never attended a show before and they had merchandise to sell)

Hey; I'm glad I started this thread. I'm glad we kept it courteous and I'm very appreciative that Mike B came and posted and kept us updated. Mike; you know me for a long time -- if you wish whenever you have important updates I'll be happy to post them to this board for you.

I, personally, still like my hours suggestions (Those can be tweaked) and the varied pricing approach. The varied pricing approach -- can be equated to the Ballpark in Arlington, which is.. I expect and it is now being done, to spend more money for a weekend series versus the Astros; Red Sox or Yankees than I do for a mid-week August series versus the Royals. That does NOT IMHO take $$$ out of the promoter's pockets but helps them better allocate resources and i would rather not see on 2 PM Sunday a dead show; instead, I would like dealers fighting to stay!

At one time; I was told there were only 10 facilities in the country that could handle the National. So, remember; we are still limited in our choices due to logistics.

Gosh; this has been a good thread -- and I'm really looking forward to the next 2 years.

Regards
Rich

slidekellyslide · #8 08-06-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

In reality, the best option (and I know this would upset some people) is the Rosemont facility every year. Good central location; Near Major Highways; near an airport; good public transportation close to the show; you can stay at a hotel to your budget concern and if you park where the train lets off; you can save quite a bit on parking and the walk is really not that bad. Also within a reasonable drive of many mid-west collecting hubs (St Louis; Milwaukee; Detroit,..)

Regards
Rich

I would go every year if it were in Chicago.

Brian Weisner · #9 08-06-2009, 07:30 PM

Me too....
Be well Brian

PS Cubs, Golf, and great food....

bcornell · #10 08-06-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mberkus

...we signed a 3 show deal in Chicago (2011, 2013, 2015).

...it seems that many of the cities that had very popular annual shows have died off for the same reason....

No arguments at all with Chicago - great facility & easy to get to.

Local shows are kaput. They're too inefficient and inconvenient for buyers and sellers. Tristar has pulled out of SF, for example. If they can't run a successful show in an area where millions of people are within one hour's drive, the writing is on the wall.

I like that Las Vegas idea.

Bill

leadoff4 · #11 08-06-2009, 02:58 PM

I would think Orlando, FL would be a great fit. Not only would it have a great destination(Disney World) for the family. It also has a MLB team within an hour and beaches all around. Seems like a no-brainer to me. I remember a show at the Orange County Convention Center back around 2000/01. Since the Orlando Magic are moving into a new arena, that leaves the Amway Arena as a possible venue.

rc4157 · #12 08-06-2009, 03:08 PM

Mike - Thanks for keeping us updated, much appreciated.

I know Cleveland still has a poor image, but in reality it isn't the "mistake by the lake" that it once was. People can find things to do in almost any city if they really want to.

I hope to get to Chicago in 2 years after reading the positive comments regarding their show, once you beat the traffic it sounds like a good time!

RC

Matt · #13 08-06-2009, 03:18 PM

While I completely understand the family angle, not having too many other attraction/distractions may not be the worst thing as people won't mind spending extra time at the show or coming back for another day.

How's that for spin.

benjulmag · #14 08-06-2009, 03:30 PM

To build on what Exhibitman said, I think it is a misnomer to call this show the National if basically it is a ping pong match between Cleveland and Chicago, with an occasional other city thrown in from time to time. Cleveland and Chicago are great baseball towns with I'm sure substantial collecting bases. But unless we want to call this a show just for the dealers and wealthy collectors (who can afford the expense of airfare/lodging, etc.), I think it is being very short-sighted to continually ignore other parts of the country.

19cbb · #15 08-06-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadoff4

I would think Orlando, FL would be a great fit.

Here's another vote for Orlando, FL

terjung · #16 08-06-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19cbb

Here's another vote for Orlando, FL

Another vote for Orlando here as well!

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