2024 National

[Snapolit1]

Is any one excited about Cleveland?

If so, please give me a good reason or two to attend. I’m struggling to care.

It just isn’t moving the needle.

[Fred]

Is it because it's Cleveland? Or is there another reason?

I don't mind Cleveland. I've attended (3) Nationals at Cleveland and thought they were fine.

[prewarsports]

The traffic and parking situation in Cleveland is the best for any venue, and I always find great stuff there.

[oldjudge]

Two words—Ferris Wheel

[prestigecollectibles]

Two words - It moved
https://www.cleveland.com/business/2...in-canton.html

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Two words—Ferris Wheel

[jefferyepayne]

Reason #1: It's the National and only happens once per year. Missing it means going two years without the two reasons below. I haven't missed one since 2011 and don't plan to miss one ever again until the day I'm old and gray and can't physically do it any longer.

Reason #2: It's a chance to spend multiple days catching up with hobby friends and talk about the hobby we love.

Reason #3: There is always a boatload of hobby eye candy to ogle over.

I'm past expecting to find all sorts of unique items that I haven't seen before. It's not that this doesn't still happen but with all of the online auctions that are held these days, dealers don't seem to set aside items particularly to bring to the Natty as much as they used to. That's fine with me as I go for the reasons above and if I find some things I need/want that is a bonus.

And I couldn't care less about the location. I'd go to the Natty if it was held in LaRue, OH in a barn.

jeff

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Is any one excited about Cleveland?

If so, please give me a good reason or two to attend. I’m struggling to care.

It just isn’t moving the needle.

Fully agree, regardless of where it is being held.

[Snapolit1]

Seeing a ballgame at a stadium I have never been to before. That’s a definite start!

[notfast]

The Cleveland set up sucks. No hotels, restaurants within walking distance. Need a car to drive place which means it makes more sense to drive 6 hrs rather than fly in but that’s a pain.

All that said, can’t wait. If you can’t get excited about the national, I don’t know what to tell you.

[Snapolit1]

Can someone who has attended one of these give a little more detail on the geography. Is it in the city, on the fringe of the city, near the airport? Prior poster said nothing really to walk to to eat, etc. No other options besides driving to the convention center and parking? If I stay downtown at a large hotel, am I 10 minutes away or 30? Thanks for any further logistical info.

[Jewish-collector]

It depends on your perspective with the hobby. The novelty of attending a national is over for many collectors. You can find the cards you want in the many auction houses online. The best part of the National is actually meeting up with hobby friends after the show ends. And, the Net54 dinner. I'm still undecided.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Steve--

Lots of info to answer your latest questions (and probably many more you may think to ask later) if you search the site. And Google Maps can obviously answer any geographical/driving questions. Not trying to be a jerk with this reply!

[bigfish]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Is any one excited about Cleveland?

If so, please give me a good reason or two to attend. I’m struggling to care.

It just isn’t moving the needle.

1. If you’re a sports card collector…. How do you not enjoy going to a larger card show???

2. Same as # 1

[Kzoo]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Is any one excited about Cleveland?

I'm excited for a 'fully functional' air conditioning system this year.

[kcohen]

I’ve attended in Cleveland a couple of times though not recently. I had no complaints with the venue. As Alan wrote, one can find most anything online that’s at the National. For me primarily it’s a social occasion, a chance to catch up with hobby friends, most of whom I haven’t seen in a long time. And would like to take in a game at the Jake, which I’ve never done. And

Cleveland Rocks!

[toppcat]

Not going to The Cleve. Rosemont 2025!

[Scott6043]

bar with beer that fills up from the bottom, if still there

[1954 topps]

Cleveland hotels, parking, and food is much cheaper than Chicago. The convention center is quite a bit larger as well so tables are well spread out. A/C actually works there.

If that’s not reason enough then by all means stay home!

I don’t attend Nationals every year, travel is expensive and that’s money I could have spent in auctions. I’m pretty sure I’ll be there this year.

[asoriano]

A couple pics I took from the ferris wheel back in 2018, showing one side of the show floor:

[calvindog]

The Cleveland venue is far superior to Chicago’s, although not connected to a hotel. All in all, traveling from NY, it’s slightly more difficult but the better venue makes up for it in my opinion. I was pretty disappointed with Chicago last year. No food onsite? WTH.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by 1954 topps

Cleveland hotels, parking, and food is much cheaper than Chicago.

Not the hotels from what I can see. They really jacked up the prices for that week.

[LEHR]

What's everyone's preferred hotel in Cleveland, or ones to stay away from? I'll be booking my travel in the next couple of weeks.
The last time I was in Cleveland was for the 2004 National and we stayed at the Omni downtown I believe, which has been torn down now.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Is any one excited about Cleveland?

If so, please give me a good reason or two to attend. I’m struggling to care.

It just isn’t moving the needle.

Steve, the National is still the biggest show, but I do believe some of the luster of it has worn off. It is isn't the National's fault per see, it is the fact that there is just so much competition now. More shows, more places to sell, and for better or worse, the staggering increase in auctions.

[Snapolit1]

Agree. I am fortunate in the NY/NJ area to have a selection of shows year round. There is a White Plains show in two weeks. 400 tables. Is it the national. Nope, but it's a damm good show 1 hour from where I live.

And so much about the National now is breakers, card graders I have never heard of, and screaming idiots carrying on about Trevor Lawrence refractors. It's bigger for sure, but not with stuff I am really interested in.

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Steve, the National is still the biggest show, but I do believe some of the luster of it has worn off. It is isn't the National's fault per see, it is the fact that there is just so much competition now. More shows, more places to sell, and for better or worse, the staggering increase in auctions.

[Snapolit1]

IMHO, possibly the coolest thing about the National is to see amazing pieces coming up in Heritage and other big AHs.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Agree. I am fortunate in the NY/NJ area to have a selection of shows year round. There is a White Plains show in two weeks. 400 tables. Is it the national. Nope, but it's a damm good show 1 hour from where I live.

And so much about the National now is breakers, card graders I have never heard of, and screaming idiots carrying on about Trevor Lawrence refractors. It's bigger for sure, but not with stuff I am really interested in.

And many of those dealers at White Plains are also set up at the National? Probably a good portion.

Here is a good question... how many dealers at the 2024 National only set up at the National and no other show? I think it is a very very small number now.

[mrreality68]

looking forward to it.
Especially the Convention center heard alot of great things about it.
THe logistics not so much.
Actually debating the drive from NY vs Flying.

[Yoda]

Are there any hotels left adjacent to the Center now that the Sheridan has been torn down? At my last National in Cleveland, I had the privilege of sitting next to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Robinson at breakfast. Of course, I couldn't help but listen in to their conversation. I think Frank's most memorable line was, "Honey, please pass the butter".

[Donscards]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

And many of those dealers at White Plains are also set up at the National? Probably a good portion.

Here is a good question... how many dealers at the 2024 National only set up at the National and no other show? I think it is a very very small number now.

Drew. I am close to that. I do 4 other shows beside the National. 2 in Boston and 2 at White Plains. Don

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

And many of those dealers at White Plains are also set up at the National? Probably a good portion.

Here is a good question... how many dealers at the 2024 National only set up at the National and no other show? I think it is a very very small number now.

I only do the National and no other shows. I will only do shows west of (and including) Cleveland so never do the East Coast Nationals (Baltimore, Atlantic City, etc)