NSCC Update

[itjclarke]

"Not my face!! (smash) ..... My face!!!"

Saw as a little kid, still love this movie... and maybe the best movie song ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H7KcasScIU

[Leon]

As for the National, like many have said, hopefully one of the bigger shows will try to do a National. From speaking with dealers, hobbyists and AH's it seems almost no one likes the way the National is run any longer. In fact most think it's terrible. When you have Rick being their spokesperson it is indicative of their many issues. First of all, replace all board members. .....

That movie song which is your favorite really shows that there are different strokes for different folks. It sounds like poor elevator music to me. Nothing personal and I am probably the only one who doesn't care for it.

Apparently you haven't watched this. One of my fave musical movies of all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umj0gu5nEGs

Originally Posted by itjclarke

"Not my face!! (smash) ..... My face!!!"

Saw as a little kid, still love this movie... and maybe the best movie song ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H7KcasScIU

[Flintboy]

Anyone know what dealers are on the board?

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by itjclarke

"Not my face!! (smash) ..... My face!!!"

Saw as a little kid, still love this movie... and maybe the best movie song ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H7KcasScIU

I like Iggy best of all (the opening credits)

https://youtu.be/UjaM7YgwjI4

[BabyRuth]

This thread is always intense!!

[Steve_NY]

In my opinion, it seems like there are a small handful of individuals who are dissatisfied (and keep voicing their opinions) with how the National is run. I am NOT one of them although I do have one issue.

I have exhibited at well over 1,000 shows in the past 44 years, including over 400 shows that I promoted with my partner (two monthly shows over 15 and 22 years) and can honestly say that I think the National is the best show I have ever set up at. The National has a lot to offer collectors, exhibitors, corporate sponsors and athletes. Can anyone else gather that many people together for this purpose every year?

Is the NSCC Committee perfect? I think they get the job done. My main issue is that it gets rather boring to visit Chicago every other year. I would like to see more of a variety in National locations. In fact, I would love to see a National that is held twice a year in locations that make it easier for different collectors to attend one or more of them. Either way, I would want all members of the NSCC to be able to vote on future site locations which is what we do now. Actually, I would also love to see the NSCC Committee lay out all of the facts for this year's National and ask us via questionnaire whether this year's National is a good idea for July 2020 in the Atlantic City
Convention Center.

I think the National is fabulous and would be sad if I have to exercise my one in five this year rather than see the show delayed or cancelled. My mind is not made up yet and I really want to exhibit as always but I have to face the facts that a coronavirus serum or shot is nowhere in sight. Unless we see a large decline in cases and deaths in the country, and in particular, New Jersey, that decision may be a difficult one.

Steve

P.S. - I am interested in hearing the same and other opinions but please be literate, courteous and on target. Also, let's hear from some others that have not posted yet, as we know what the 3 or 4 previous posters have already said. Also and most important, let us know if you exhibit every year at the National, or just want to stir up the troops.

[bounce]

OK - I'll offer my 2 cents.

I think they should cancel this year's show already, but waiting to end of May I don't believe changes the outcome. I can almost guarantee a ton of the dealers are going to opt for their year out.

I also think most collectors who haven't booked the travel already will be pretty hesitant still to book it. Unfortunately, location this year also contributes to the issue since you can't really get to AC direct from anywhere unless you're driving. I'm in Texas, so it's a hassle to get there regardless of the pandemic and other issues.

Also, economics of unemployment and other similar issues also won't help in robust attendance.

Then you've got the issue of getting the autograph guests to reconfirm attendance? How many of them may opt out?

That's just too much administration to cover in my view. If it does actually go on, dealer and attendance will be severely impacted I'm sure. Why take the risk? Believe me, I'd love for the show to go on but I also know that's wishful thinking because I seriously doubt I would go at this point.

Realistically, this year's location also contributes additional issues beyond what's going on in the world right now.

As far as future sites, I don't mind Chicago because it's easy in and out. I was surprised how much I didn't hate Cleveland. I wasn't really looking forward to AC again, just because of transit considerations.

I would like to see another west coast again - I remember 2006 Anaheim fondly, and it's not that bad in and out of there and the other stuff to do let's families plan vacations around it.

I wouldn't mind a return to Houston/Dallas, but that's just me being a homer.

Don't know what I'd think about Baltimore. Transit considerations would probably have me lean against just because there aren't as many flight options into there.

[Jewish-collector]

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. In other words, the venue wants the National committee to tell them practically in June or July that they want the show in their facility. But the National committee needs a few years in advance. (One of the Baltimore shows replaced Cleveland at the last minute a few years ago)

etc,... etc,... etc,...etc,... etc,... etc,...etc,... etc,... etc,...etc,... etc,...

After all of this analysis, it turns out Chicago and Cleveland are the only cities that don't have any of these issues and this is why they are always alternating it between these two cities.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

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. In other words, the venue wants the National committee to tell them practically in June or July that they want the show in their facility. But the National committee needs a few years in advance. (One of the Baltimore shows replaced Cleveland at the last minute a few years ago)

etc,... etc,... etc,...etc,... etc,... etc,...etc,... etc,... etc,...etc,... etc,...

After all of this analysis, it turns out Chicago and Cleveland are the only cities that don't have any of these issues and this is why they are always alternating it between these two cities.

Chicago not having union problems... something I never expected to hear.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by BabyRuth

This thread is always intense!!

Yes it is. BTW, I also have an original press kit from Repo Man.

[toppcat]

I think the biggest issue with a second National each year is timing. First week of August ensures everybody with kids doesn't have to deal with school and coverage. I can't see how would hold it in the winter.

[Johnny630]

2021 will be the Next National.

[marzoumanian]

Greetings. A couple of days ago we all heard that the Baseball Hall of Fame induction is cancelled (July 24-27). Then this morning I woke up to the news that here in Chicago where I live the entire Ravinia Music Festival (June to September) was killed. That stunned me. First time since WW II.
Having read these posts, I agree with Steve in NY: None of us know ALL of the issues NSCC is facing. No need to bash. And I understand no decision will be made until the end of May.
Jewish-collector made some excellent points. Worth reading. I'm not going to repeat them but will share a quick story about unions at McCormick Place 10 years ago. My company had a booth. I wanted to move something from point A to Point B. But wasn't allowed to according to the rules. Had to go to the exhibitor booth, who then made a phone call and then a union guy came to make the simple move. Enough said. The situation might have changed since then because McCormick Place was losing shows. BUT I don't believe the same situation exists at the Rosemont Convention Center, making it an obvious repeat choice for the NSCC.
I do believe that the NSCC should cancel and (here comes the shameless plug!) wrote a blog about why. It posted today. You can check it out at my website, www.markearzoumanian.com. You will find it under "Love of the Hobby."
Stay healthy. Wash your hands. And to quote that great philosopher, Ringo Starr, "Peace and love. Peace and love."