That is not true on an annual basis.

One year I think Atlantic City did not charge them and the dealers got a small break on the table fee as well as I remember.

But, I'm sure The Stephens Center is cheaper than the other venues so that might well figure into the equation.

However, dealers do choose from the options given by the management team so they are not picking it every year due to cost savings on their end but for all the other reasons mentioned time and time again.

That might do it to get the votes to San Diego. Free everything for the vendors.

There are many locations/venues that can't host the National for one reason or another:

Some venues are too small and/or don't have enough hotel rooms
Some venues are not convenient to airports
Some venues/cities the union stuff too expensive and/or other legal issues
Some venues charge too much for having events in their building
Some venues/cities are not good baseball and/or sports towns
Some venues don't want it scheduled too far in the future.
etc,... etc,... etc,...

After all of this analysis, it turns out Chicago, Cleveland, and Atlantic City are the only ones that check all the boxes with the National committee, BUT after the Atlantic City and Cleveland recent experiences, those two venues are probably now history and this is why Chicago is left standing. So, fortunately or unfortunately, the National will be at the Stephens Convention Center until the end of time.

The problem with the near O'Hare Airport location in Chicago is that it's a hell's half acre away from anything else that might be of interest in Chicago including Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park.

:(

If you are mobile, it's a short walk to the train station to go to the places you mentioned on a train. And many people use Uber, Lyft or other ways to get to and fro. Plus, tons of stuff to do IN the area of the NSCC.

Rich

Mobile is an understatement. I've walked from Wrigley Field back to my hotel (the Palmer House?) in the Loop.

;)