question about the national sports collectors convention

[Exhibitman]

It is all about money, folks. The people who own the National want a venue with cheap fees and willingness to make a long-term commitment at rock bottom prices. You are never going to see a first-rate venue in a first-rate city host the show because the powers that be fear that they could not line their pockets sufficiently if they upgraded the experience. Nevermind the contrary evidence of Comicon in San Diego.

The National organizers love Cleveland because it is dirt-cheap and desperate for business. I do not think that the event will shift away from the IX [pronounced "Ick"] Center because it is too cheap and profitable to hold it elsewhere.

Anaheim won't sign a contract years in the future at rock bottom prices. That puts the kibosh on Anaheim.

There is a sizable east and midwest dealer faction that pisses and moans about traveling west of the Rockies because they drive to and from the show. That effectively kills LA, SF, Vegas and other points west.

New York has been rejected because of the cost of doing business there--union fees for vendors at the convention center. You cannot just carry in your stuff and set up; you have to use [and pay] the convention center's contract labor to do it.

The other theory on Vegas is that it would distract collectors from the show, i.e., cause them to spend money on something other than cards. Unrealistic; you stand a better chance of getting out of Iran alive on an El Al 747 than you do of getting a National conventiongoer to spend money on something other than cards, alcohol or cheap eats.

While personally I don't mind a show that pulls in 1/4 of the visitors that a Comicon does--less competition--it would be nice to have a kick-ass show experience with all the multimedia and other events available in addtion to the bourse itself. That said, I spend my time at the show, not on the town, so I judge the experience solely from the show and the hotels and related facilities. Baltimore wasn't bad. The facility was decent, the hotels were close by, and it went quite well. The only complaint I had was travel issues, but I went to NYC first--able to fly direct from Burbank to JFK--then took the train down to Baltimore, which was quite a pleasant way to do it. I plan to do that again this year. Cleveland is a PITA for me. There's only 1 direct carrier--Continental--but my main complaint about that place is the shabby accommodations and facilities, and atrocious food. Just not a pleasant experience. CHI is OK; I can get a good variety of flights and the hotels and restaurants around the venue are decent. The convention facility itself is middling quality; has that weird break in the floor where they put the Olympics peiple the last time. IMO the best facility/hotel/destination show I've been to was Anaheim in 2006. That was really first rate all around.

[novakjr]

I might actually agree that the IX might be more profitable, but I think the city of Cleveland will force a move the Medmart/Convention Center(if not for 2014, for sure in 2018)....For 1, it's downtown, closer to the other businesses that they want to drive business to, while holding it at the IX allows money to be spent in other cities, since it's on the outskirts of the city... Dan Gilbert owns the casino, and he's a large business voice in the city. He'll definitely want the convention at the MM/CC. The Rock Hall and Tower City mall will definitely want it there. Hell, the Cleveland Indians will probably want it there, since the Jake(I'm sorry, the PROG) is also within walking distance.. They might be able to get a bigger discount from the city if held at the MM/CC.

Also the new Head of Convention Sales for the MM/CC held the same position at the IX for the past 8 years. So I imagine he might bring the National with him..

[travrosty]

I didn't know any of the specifics when i started this thread, but by reading the old thread and other observations, my hunches were right. the people that set it up want it on the eastern midwest/east coast and it keeps going to the same locations, for monetary reasons. Looks like it will be The Cleveland Show from now on.

shame because it should really get moved around, and mixed in with other locales.