National Booth(s) Needed

[Leon]

A friendly bump to try to help but my guess is it is looking bleak for a table....

Originally Posted by prewarsports

Hi guys

I am in need of a booth at this years National Convention. I normally have no problems getting one in March, but this year they were sold out. I've been on a waiting list for a few months and thought I would try here. If anyone has a booth or a few booths and might not be able to make the show, I will gladly pay cost or above the cost of the tables to take them off your hands. I appreciate it in advance if anyone can help out. I'm going to the show anyways, it would just be nice to have a "home base" to show off some stuff and have a place to sit.

Feel free to e mail, call, or let me know if you can help out and I look forward to seeing you guys there.

Rhys Yeakley

614-551-9761

themodo@hotmail.com

[RedsFan1941]

so tables are really sold out? wow. is that a first?

[bobbyw8469]

Maybe everyone that has been hoarding their museum pieces want to take advantage of the higher prices to finally move some stuff?

[Jewish-collector]

It's probably because they will have fewer booths than usual.

[prewarsports]

I usually call in March/April when my schedule is more firm and have always had my choice of at lest 40-50 booths. I figured I would be safe this year and contact them in Feb and was told "sorry we are sold out". I asked why they did not just make more booths available since there is apparently a hefty wait-list and was told they were already at capacity with the fire marshal. This show is in the same hall as the National has been for the last 15 years in Chicago and it used to have over 1000 dealers but now they sell out at about 400. Seems to me like they are closing the door on a lot of dealers that could make the show better. I guess this is why the show is not what it used to be. Take away the corporate booths and auction houses and you are looking at about 200-300 dealers there to sell stuff. In the 1990's 200 booths would have been a local show at the armory, now its the "National Convention." Go figure.

[Sportsnutcards]

I'm pretty sure it is the same exact layout and amount of dealers/tables as the last 3 Chicago nationals. they used to use the side room for dealers but I think the last time they did that was in 2008.

[Duluth Eskimo]

Originally Posted by prewarsports

This show is in the same hall as the National has been for the last 15 years in Chicago and it used to have over 1000 dealers but now they sell out at about 400. Seems to me like they are closing the door on a lot of dealers that could make the show better. I guess this is why the show is not what it used to be. Take away the corporate booths and auction houses and you are looking at about 200-300 dealers there to sell stuff. In the 1990's 200 booths would have been a local show at the armory, now its the "National Convention." Go figure.

This is why I don't set up anymore and don't really make it a priority to attend. I am a hard core collector and part time dealer and if it's not a big deal to me, what about the casual collector? All of the quality items go to auction and a lot of what is offered is regular run of the mill items. For those who never attended a pre Internet National you have no idea of how good they used to be.

I am not interested in new items, but I understand many are and everyone needs to be catered to, but the National in general has sold out to the sponsors and Tri Star. They could care less about the dealer or collector. It's a money grab for the people who run this show full time. What a joke. They get the sheep to flock to them then wear their sport coat and ride around in a golf cart acting like they're some kind of collecting royalty.

[Rich Klein]

I'll disagree with one thing. One of the reasons a couple of people are in carts is on the off-chance something occurs on the other side of the floor which needs their attention, they can get their much quicker. That's also why the booths of the dealer executive board is in the middle of the show floor. That way, the dealer board can fan out and assist anywhere at a minute's notice.

I have, and always will, provide constructive criticism of certain aspects of the National or where the show has been held (IE Atlantic City). but there are logical reasons for people such as John and the security head of the National to be in golf carts and I guarantee you it's NOT to lord over the show. And yes, in the spirit of full disclosure I know John and his family for more than 35 years now and they all work extremely hard throughout both the year and during the show on the National.

As for corporate sponsors, I also remember the days of no such thing (or very limited) as a corporate sponsor but that ship sailed a long time ago. The National could not exist in it's current state without the corporates. And many of the corporates, especially Panini (for us) have provided assistance to our twice a year Adat Chaverim non-profit show.

[imdaman1964]

Agree