Your best bet is next year in AC. Typically HOF weekend is the last weekend in July. The national is the first weekend in August. So you can do HOF on fri- mon then the national starts in AC on Wed-Thurs. About a 5-6 hour drive.

I’m not sure how close you want to get but since we are in the middle of nowhere there really isn’t anywhere close outside of Albany and Syracuse - both 1 1/2 hours away. Cooperstown itself couldn’t host such an event because the lack of venue, lack of an airport, no highway and lack of available accommodations in the area. Rooms are mostly booked during the summer and are very expensive. The closest major cities that would be appropriate are NYC and Boston - each about 4 hours away. AC and Baltimore are the closest recent locations.

I still say Vegas. Maybe it cost prohibitive w/ unions and all that. But that would be an amazing way to get more eyeballs on our hobby.

My guess is that I eventually quit going to the National or at least any of of them outside of Chicago. Hopefully there will be some well organized shows to take its place (for me). I think the people running the National are morons, from a business perspective. I would much prefer doing the Phllly show or another one that is put together and run better. And there is already talk of bringing the Net54baseball Dinner to The Texas Card Show next year. That said, this year there is already a contracted Net54baseball dinner in Chicago, at the Embassy Suites, as previously stated. Hope to see everyone there!!

Our two best Nationals in the last 13 years were Baltimore and Baltimore. Would love to return.

I know I've mentioned it to several people already, but I think now would be a good time for someone else to make a push at starting up a rival national (Leon hint hint with the new show:)). I don't think it would be possible in 1 year to switch people over and there are definitely some big hurdles to get over (signers, corporate booths, pulling dealers away), but I still think there may be an opportunity since so many people seem disgusted with the current management.

DJ

Frisco
 

Maybe Frisco, TX would be a good place for a second National? :)

If you really want to be in the DFW area you have to have a venue big enough for the purpose. We have outgrown the Arlington Convention Center and I think either Market Hall or the Dallas Convention Center are big enough. Each of these venues have other "issues" but nothing impossible to overcome.

Regards
Rich

Baltimore is by far the closest place for me and I loved both shows there, but since the riots the city is hurting, tourism, hotels and food are all significantly down. The past few seasons the hotel we stay at the Hilton, which you can walk to the convention center or look into Camden yards has been half of what it has been in years past. Not to mention Orioles attendance is down, and the only time you wait at restaurants is Friday or Saturday at prime times. While I would like to see it back in Baltimore I would think for now it’s time has passed. Maybe 10 years from now the city will have another resurgence but sadly right now it is a good place to avoid.

HQ Dallas Cowboys - Ford Center at the Star - Frisco TX
 

I am not a big Dallas proper fan. Lots of great people there, but going north a little, is more my taste. And I will go out on a limb and say that Frisco TX might be able to handle a larger show and have a big enough venue. The Ford Center (Cowboys HQ) has 510,000 square feet and is almost brand new. It still wouldn't be a gimee there as I am not sure how that all works :).
The current (April) Texas Card Show is happening just a few minutes from it. According to Money Magazine the 2018 best place to live in the US is Frisco TX. It is like a brand new city, all shiny and new, was built overnight. I think out of town dealers, vendors and hobbyists will love Frisco. There is no more vibrant place around here, imo, (though we don't live there.) We are happy in our current house of 20 yrs, which is about 25 minutes away. Otherwise Frisco would have been a great option. All just 1 opinion.

http://money.com/money/collection/20.../frisco-texas/

https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en...oiowHnoECAIQBg

I’m glad some people did well in Baltimore, but I skipped the last one there. Keeping it away from the west coast is just wrong. That’s what happens when a clown show runs it and is only in it for the money.

PS: who limits tables when their is a long line of people that want a booth and ton of extra space in the venue???? I guess more corporate booths and giveaways is what collectors really want after all.

You can’t even get the promoters to return an email or phone call much less think outside the box. No one should wonder why our hobby is going down the drain. Only passionate collectors are left, the days of getting people to “drop in” to a show are long gone. They need a 2nd mortgage to pay admission and get a couple of autographs.

Good stuff, Leon! The show you have going in April could grow into a viable alternative. Obviously, I would be all for that. It is exciting to have something like that within 4 hours of my home!

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Orlando, Fl would be ideal

In my dreams. Live 2 hours from there and you also have universal, Disney, and a good airport. C9nvention center is huge so probably too big of a venue. But would be nice

I always thought St. Louis was a crazy baseball city. Are they not known for good baseball card shows ?

Rick, I like your idea, except let's make it The VINTAGE National - nothing newer than 1975 or 1980. I would come all the way from VA for this!

I'm not sure if the union is a plus in regards to dealing with the committee. They seem to get better deals in Chicago, Cleveland, and lately Atlantic City. I'd love to have seen another National in St. Louis before I get out of the business, but I think this year will be my last National before I ride into the sunset. My knees are barking like a trained seal.

I sell almost 100% vintage, but at these shows a mix of vintage and modern card dealers works well. I think the new card guys are invigorating the hobby somewhat, and I can see the day that some of them will cross over and be our vintage dealers. Fact is vintage dealers are aging rapidly, if that doesn't happen the hobby will be left without vintage dealers in plentiful supply.

Um the disaster that was the Baltimore Orioles in 2018 may have had something to do with that as well.

Long Beach Auditorium, Long Beach, California

The rare coin folks do just fine there for 4 days, 3 times a year.
Over 500 dealers.
On site Grading.
Lots of nearby attractions, Queen Mary, Disneyland, Dodgers, Angels

How does one age rapidly? :confused:

Modern dealers must age less rapidly then. :eek:

I thought everyone aged one year at a time. :D

I pretty much held my own from 60 to age 69. Now everything hurts all the time and there is not the same recovery. I see it with lots of other dealers as well.

I agree. My 22 year old son has gotten back into collecting over the last two years. He is into the Bowman Chrome prospect game. Lately he has been taking the proceeds from this and buying HOF Baseball and Football RC for his personal collection. A year ago he wouldn’t have been interested in vintage at all. I think the new shiny stuff gets their foot in the door and in time I think some gravitate towards vintage.

Nice, I will be able to go in 2020!