Thoughts on Atlantic City 2016

Apparently to organizers of "The National", baseball card collecting does not exist west of the Mississippi. No Nationals nearby through 2019..... Did Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, or Seattle run out of convention spaces available? Oh well, rather go to the twice annual WSSCA show anyway! No loudspeakers, other than the raised voices of excited collectors

[t206hound]

Originally Posted by pariah1107

Apparently to organizers of "The National", baseball card collecting does not exist west of the Mississippi. No Nationals nearby through 2019..... Did Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, or Seattle run out of convention spaces available? Oh well, rather go to the twice annual WSSCA show anyway! No loudspeakers, other than the raised voices of excited collectors

Here's why... 50% of the U.S. population lives within 500 miles of Columbus Ohio. That's why there's the general alternating between Chicago and Cleveland... And why the west coast won't (regularly) get it.
http://homes-columbus.com/2012/03/7-...columbus-ohio/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Erick, great info. I did not realize Ohio was the center of the universe

[btcarfagno]

I will most likely go because it is the national and all. I live in New Jersey and can find very few reasons to make the two hour drive to AC. Ever. Absolute hole of a town. Makes Camden look like Sesame Street.

Tom C

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by btcarfagno

I will most likely go because it is the national and all. I live in New Jersey and can find very few reasons to make the two hour drive to AC. Ever. Absolute hole of a town. Makes Camden look like Sesame Street.

Tom C

Come on Tom ....Just stay away from Baltic, Mediterranean, Vermont and Oriental Aves. You've played Monopoly......

[Jewish-collector]

The short version is that the National will rotate forever between Chicago & Cleveland with another city thrown in once every 3 or 4 years. Next year for Atlantic City is that "another city". The National hasn't confirmed any other "another city" yet.

[brass_rat]

Drew pointed this out, but AC is definitely not family friendly. The show promoters should be doing everything they can to promote card collecting to families and young children. Hosting the show in a rundown, unsafe city is not putting them in a position to be successful in doing so.

I will be attending, but I would much rather go to any of the other cities recommended in this thread. (Vegas, Seattle, etc...and I live on the east coast!)

Steve

[porkchops]

I'll be taking the train ..... can't get easier that that .
Ken

[detroitbaseball]

As far as I know this information is 100% correct. If I'm wrong don't hesitate to speak up.

There have been 36 Nationals to date in 13 different cities.

National Sports Collectors Convention locations:

(the numbers in parenthesis indicate the number of times that that city has held the National to that date)

1. 1980 Los Angeles, California
2. 1981 Detroit, Michigan
3. 1982 St. Louis, Missouri
4. 1983 Chicago, Illinois
5. 1984 Parsippany, New Jersey
6. 1985 Anaheim, California
7. 1986 Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
8. 1987 San Francisco, California
9. 1988 Atlantic City, New Jersey
10. 1989 Chicago, Illinois (2)
11. 1990 Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas (2)
12. 1991 Anaheim, California (2)
13. 1992 Atlanta, Georgia
14. 1993 Chicago, Illinois (3)
15. 1994 Houston, Texas
16. 1995 St. Louis, Missouri (2)
17. 1996 Anaheim, California (3)
18. 1997 Cleveland, Ohio
19. 1998 Chicago, Illinois (4)
20. 1999 Atlanta, Georgia (2)
21. 2000 Anaheim, California (4)
22. 2001 Cleveland, Ohio (2)
23. 2002 Chicago, Illinois (5)
24. 2003 Atlantic City, New Jersey (2)
25. 2004 Cleveland, Ohio (3)
26. 2005 Chicago, Illinois (6)
27. 2006 Anaheim, California (5)
28. 2007 Cleveland, Ohio (4)
29. 2008 Chicago, Illinois (7)
30. 2009 Cleveland, Ohio (5)
31. 2010 Baltimore, Maryland
32. 2011 Chicago, Illinois (8)
33. 2012 Baltimore, Maryland (2)
34. 2013 Chicago, Illinois (9)
35. 2014 Cleveland, Ohio (6)
36. 2015 Chicago, Illinois (10)
    
    
37. 2016 Atlantic City, New Jersey (3)
38. 2017 Chicago, Illinois (11)
39. 2018 Cleveland, Ohio (7)
40. 2019 Chicago, Illinois (12)
41. 2020 Cleveland, Ohio (8)

Totals to date:

Chicago (10)
Cleveland (6)
Anaheim (5)
Atlantic City (2)
St. Louis (2)
Dallas-Fort Worth (2)
Atlanta (2)
Baltimore (2)
Los Angeles (1)
Detroit (1)
Parsippany (1)
San Francisco (1)
Houston (1)

----------

Mid West (19)
West Coast (7)
East Coast (5)
South (5)

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by brass_rat

Drew pointed this out, but AC is definitely not family friendly. The show promoters should be doing everything they can to promote card collecting to families and young children. Hosting the show in a rundown, unsafe city is not putting them in a position to be successful in doing so.

I will be attending, but I would much rather go to any of the other cities recommended in this thread. (Vegas, Seattle, etc...and I live on the east coast!)

Steve

I have to disagree. I had a conference at the Taj Mahal a couple of years back and took my wife and kids along. They LOVED the beach right outside the back of the casino and spent 2 days enjoying the vast amount of sand and the ocean. They also enjoyed the boardwalk, the arcades, and the variety of food on the boardwalk. I had 1 day off and we all went to the Aquarium which was a blast. To your point about safety, I do agree there. I made sure we stayed in a nice hotel near the beach and I even went so far as to recon the route my family took each day as there are certain areas to avoid but those are very self explanatory once you get there. With a little common sense, healthy precaution, your family can have a good, safe time in AC. In a way, it is like Baltimore, stay in a certian section (wharf/Camden Yards area) and you will have a blast. Venture out too far and your protective sixth sense kicks into overdrive! As always, common sense always rules the day wherever you are.

Mike

PS Most folks think Orlando, Florida is the safest family destination around when in fact, the FBI has concluded recently that Orlando is the second most dangerous city in all of Florida for crimes against. It is a crazy world we live in!

[Jewish-collector]

I just don't think AC will be a successful National. One important thing is that many guys want to see a MLB game while at the National. That works in Cleveland, Chicago, Baltimore and other places. Can't do it easily in AC.

[basesareempty]

Originally Posted by vtgmsc

I have to disagree. I had a conference at the Taj Mahal a couple of years back and took my wife and kids along. They LOVED the beach right outside the back of the casino and spent 2 days enjoying the vast amount of sand and the ocean. They also enjoyed the boardwalk, the arcades, and the variety of food on the boardwalk. I had 1 day off and we all went to the Aquarium which was a blast. To your point about safety, I do agree there. I made sure we stayed in a nice hotel near the beach and I even went so far as to recon the route my family took each day as there are certain areas to avoid but those are very self explanatory once you get there. With a little common sense, healthy precaution, your family can have a good, safe time in AC. In a way, it is like Baltimore, stay in a certian section (wharf/Camden Yards area) and you will have a blast. Venture out too far and your protective sixth sense kicks into overdrive! As always, common sense always rules the day wherever you are.

Mike

PS Most folks think Orlando, Florida is the safest family destination around when in fact, the FBI has concluded recently that Orlando is the second most dangerous city in all of Florida for crimes against. It is a crazy world we live in!

I plan to stay at one of the casino hotels which are much safer than the dumps on the outskirts of the city. They have a bus system in AC called the Jitney which goes all around AC which I have found safe in the past. Not 100% sure if it goes to the convention center but I would think it does.

[Runscott]

If it were in Alpine, Texas my guess is that people who lived near Alpine, Texas would be very happy and would tell us what a great time we would have. And we probably would. But there are better places to have a National than Alpine, Texas and there are better places to have it than Atlantic City. Unfortunately, politics and money drive everything in the United States, so look forward to more nationals in Atlantic City and Cleveland and none in places that seemingly make great sense...other than Chicago...because of money and politics.

[ibuysportsephemera]

Originally Posted by Runscott

If it were in Alpine, Texas my guess is that people who lived near Alpine, Texas would be very happy and would tell us what a great time we would have. And we probably would. But there are better places to have a National than Alpine, Texas and there are better places to have it than Atlantic City. Unfortunately, politics and money drive everything in the United States, so look forward to more nationals in Atlantic City and Cleveland and none in places that seemingly make great sense...other than Chicago...because of money and politics.

I agree with you Scott...But I am pretty darn happy that I can drive 3.5 hours to go to a National! My only other National was in Baltimore (because I could drive to it).

Jeff

[packs]

Is NYC just too expensive for a National? Has it ever been in the city? Barclays Center seems like a pretty good venue outside of basketball season.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by ibuysportsephemera

I agree with you Scott...But I am pretty darn happy that I can drive 3.5 hours to go to a National! My only other National was in Baltimore (because I could drive to it).

Jeff

Baltimore would be fantastic for me as well, having children living in D.C.

I'm glad you are getting to go - I think any National is better than not being able to go at all because of logistics. I really had a great time in Cleveland, just because I got to see so many hobby friends - if you aren't a dealer who needs to make money, or a buyer who has some crazy idea that there are no deals to be had at these shows (which is completely erroneous, even if the show IS in Alpine), or someone who just generally refuses to have fun, then you will have fun in Atlantic City.

I might actually make it, just because the dates (Aug 3-8) are good, but probably as a collector/partier rather than a dealer.

[Jayworld]

The last National I attended was #11, in Arlington (Dallas-Ft. Worth). I remember it being a great show as far as looking, although most dealers would not come off any prices back then. Of course, I imagine that I am in the minority here, as spending several hundred dollars for plane fair, hotel(s), etc. is just not feasible for me. I have a hobby fund; and to finance the hobby, I sell things out of my hobby, etc. (usually duplicates, items I no longer want, need, etc.). So, unless a National comes back to Texas or within driving distance, I won't be able to go.

Having said all this, I'm sure those that do go will have a great time. Because of the 2016 location, would you think that the promoters, etc. (purely conjecture on my part) believe that most attendees, or most serious hobbyists, are located on the East Coast?

[ibuysportsephemera]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I might actually make it, just because the dates (Aug 3-8) are good, but probably as a collector/partier rather than a dealer.

Scott..I do hope you make it, so we can hoist a couple together.

I have been thinking about why I haven't attended more Nationals. I have been in the hobby since the mid 80's. I think it is because almost every year I go to a few Brimfields, Renninger Weekends, Paper Shows, many of the Shows in Westchester, etc. I really didn't feel it was necessary to make it to the National to find the things I am interested in.

Since joining Net54, the incentive is to meet all of the screen names in person. So I look forward to meeting those of you that I haven't met yet, in Atlantic City.

Jeff

[DixieBaseball]

I will be traveling from the South to the National for the first time in 3 years next year. I have grown tired of the usual places, like Cleveland, Chicago (I really like Chicago but I have been there too many times), etc. and really look forward to a different venue/location. I am bringing my wife and friend and his wife due to the new venue/location.

I hope they continue to mix it up and pump fresh locations in for the National. Orlando ? Dallas ? Nashville? Charlotte? St. Louis?

[basesareempty]

Originally Posted by DixieBaseball

I will be traveling from the South to the National for the first time in 3 years next year. I have grown tired of the usual places, like Cleveland, Chicago (I really like Chicago but I have been there too many times), etc. and really look forward to a different venue/location. I am bringing my wife and friend and his wife due to the new venue/location.

I hope they continue to mix it up and pump fresh locations in for the National. Orlando ? Dallas ? Nashville? Charlotte? St. Louis?

Charlotte would be nice. Do they have a venue large enough to host The National?

[MVSNYC]

Dates?

[glynparson]

As long as you don't go trolling the ghetto areas at two in the morning flashing cash you'll be alright. They are making efforts all around the city to improve it as a family destination. Was just there the past three days and it's no worse than any of the other places I've been to for a national. Plus loads of good places to eat and weekday rooms are very reasonable Friday and Saturday nights can get pricey but there are options now that used to not be there outside the city. Many of the dumps are torn down and replaced with chain hotels.

[peterose4hof]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

What are the dates for AC? Have they been solidified?

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

Dates?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=nscc+show+2016

[egri]

Originally Posted by basesareempty

Charlotte would be nice. Do they have a venue large enough to host The National?

I know Charlotte had a venue large enough to host the DNC a few years ago.

[MVSNYC]

Cool research, Kevin. The first 20-ish years of the show, exhibits great variety and a nice balance...I wish that was able to be maintained on an ongoing basis.

Great stats Kevin. I retract my earlier statement. Apparently they know some card collectors ARE west of the Mississippi but really don't care since 2006.

[Jewish-collector]

Thank you Kevin. You can see (except for 2006), around 2001 is when it stopped going anywhere west of Chicago.

[x2drich2000]

I will be planning to attend next year in AC since it is only a 2 hour drive for me. Doing a quick check, the AC airport looks to have direct flights, at least seasonally, from both Chicago and Atlanta http://www.sjta.com/acairport/routes.asp and it looks like there is rail service from Philly to AC as well.

In addition, here is a list I put together of where the dealers from this year's national are from (taken from the NSCC website - http://nsccshow.com/images/2015%20Im...ist%207-22.pdf). From this list, it seems explainable to me why the National has been staying in the East/Mid.

East 92 - 29.3%
CT 7
DE 1
MA 4
MD 6
ME 2
NH 1
NJ 22
NY 28
PA 19
VT 2

Mid 100 - 31.9%
IA 4
IL 35
IN 9
KY 2
MI 13
MN 8
MO 8
OH 12
WI 9

North 6 - 1.9%
CAN 3
Cana 3

South 73 - 23.3%
AR 3
FL 20
GA 9
LA 1
NC 13
TN 5
TX 12
VA 10

West 43 - 13.7%
AZ 6
CA 18
CO 4
ID 1
KS 2
ND 1
NE 1
NM 1
NV 3
OK 3
OR 1
WA 2

Grand Total 314

[boysblue]

I was in AC back in 2003 and will be back again next year. Looking forward to it.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Several organizations I have been members of over the years use a East-Central-West-Central-East-Central-West rotation.

That way East and West members feel that they can make 2 out of every 3 conventions.

I would suggest Las Vegas as a West location, not many local dealers but very easy and inexpensive to fly to!