[bcbgcbrcb]

Very good point that most of the big regional shows that are put on multiple times during the year (Philly, Chantilly, White Plains, Hofstra, Shriner’s, Nashional, Shipshewana, Dallas, Burbank) are primarily the same vintage dealers that have the highly desirable inventory. And, yes, it would be great to have some more “new” vintage dealers with interesting inventory at regional shows. As is the case with me, I think the biggest stumbling block is that all of these regional shows are just too far away from where many of us live to make the drive, which we have to in order to bring inventory. I would do it for Strongsville and the National because despite 14-1/2 and 19 hour drives for me, the money spent by buyers there would make it worthwhile for me to set up. Philly is another close to 14 hours drive and I would say questionable. Nothing else am I guaranteed to make big money by setting up there and I hate driving in general so never going to do any of those shows more than a few hours away from me. The only places that would qualify for me being in Orlando, FL are anywhere in FL, the eastern half of Georgia and southeastern South Carolina. And, all would have to be well established, long-time shows where I can count on others’ past experience.

All that being said, Knoxville is a good 10 hour drive and obviously a brand new venue, so I would never be able to set up there. Good luck with pursuing it though, may work for others. Wish there was something down here by me but there isn’t. We have a couple of primarily vintage shows down here but nothing with hundreds of tables that would qualify as a regional show. Fellow board member Bryan Dec runs one of the best down here in FL twice a year with roughly 100 tables and I always set up at those along with the 55+ Villages retirement community shows three times a year for this 75 table show. Needless to say, the hobby “whales” are not traveling to these two shows from across the country to buy sports cards so sales numbers are quite limited.