Live National Report Thread....

[stadiumechoes]

My brief summary. My son (20) and I (48) spent all day Saturday at the National. We were in line when it opened and left at 5:45. I had no "want list" or objective, I just wanted to take in the experience and enjoy the day. I thought I made it to all tables, but based on the photos, I guess i missed a few. I liked the layout, but with the set up of the building, you couldn't really just go up and down rows. High level overview:
* I was impressed with the friendliness and overall interactions with the dealers. I was routinely greeted at each table with a hello and a "let me know if you need any help or are looking for anything".
* I was amused with the cheering and countdowns (or whatever) at the corporate booths. I'm not sure what was going on, but it was entertaining to hear. Maybe if I had a booth near there I wouldn't have been so amused, but to me it added energy to the overall atmosphere.
*I was impressed with the selection and displays (as a rule). I agree with some previous posters in that I caught myself occasionally slipping in to "work mode" and doing some quick math with the cost of the show vs. what the booth had for sale. Some of it didn't add up, but they spent the money, I guess they can arrange their booth however they want.
*I shook my head at the number of Ruth autographs (both "raw" and in "designed scarcity" insert cards.
*Dropped some things off at SGC and, like all other interactions I have had with the company, everything was handled in a VERY professional, friendly manner.
*Didn't see much non-sports stuff (which is a good thing). I remember one comic display and another one that was 50-50 cards and rock memorabilia. I thought it was interesting that a few booths focused on old sporting equipment. Not the mainstream sports, but just about anything sports related and vintage.
* The soft serve ice cream booth was very good and I impressed myself by only having one cone.