Cleveland's IX Center to Close - Home to the National

[Donscards]

Boston would be nice---they have everything the National would need---But the toughest unions to deal with in the country. And only 2 hours for me---But my guess is Chicago.

[glynparson]

I am a proponent of Chicago every year if they aren’t going to bother making it a true national and move it all around the country.

[ClementeFanOh]

Lots of good memories at the Cleveland National. Hope it stays there. Trent King

[Vintagecatcher]

The first and best National I ever attended was the Cleveland National in 1997.

Patrick

[jcmtiger]

How about Hertz Arena in SW Florida, halfway between Naples & FT Myers. Right next to I-75.

[egbeachley]

Boo! The Cleveland site is way better, in my opinion, than Chicago. Sure there are quality hotels next door or attached to the Chicago Convention Center. But they all cost well over $200 per night and You could get a limo ride to a great hotel in Cleveland and still save $100.

[ocjack]

One vote for anything west of Arizona.

[boysblue]

I did not mind Cleveland at all. Was always able to find a halfway decent restaurant in the vicinity for food/drink, and the IX Centre was fine.

Florida? Atlanta? Dallas? A northerner like me would melt after a couple of days down there in August.

[boysblue]

I did not mind Cleveland at all. Was always able to find a halfway decent restaurant in the vicinity for food/drink, and the IX Centre was fine.

Florida? Atlanta? Dallas? A northerner like me would melt after a couple of days down there in August.

[hcv123]

That is crazy news! I hope they figure something out that can keep the national in rotation there - way easier in ways than Chicago.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by ocjack

One vote for anything west of Arizona.

Is there anything west of Arizona left?

[Steve_NY]

I have always suggested that there be two Nationals -- one near the East Coast and one near the West Coast. If there were two shows, I would do both. In fact, if there were a West Coast show now, I WOULD set up as a booth holder this time. I guarantee that I would not exercise my one in five skip. So I am in favor with moving the show around if the logistics can be worked out.

Maybe a one in three or four year rotation with Chicago, Atlantic City, Las Vegas or Anaheim, and one other choice?

I am not in favor of the Boston location unless we can move our display in ourselves and break down ourselves. We would need the ability to drive to our booth location as we can do right now at all Nationals. New York would be nice at Javits Center but the same issues that apply in Boston are issues in New York.

Anaheim or San Francisco or Las Vegas could be worth a try if they meet those specifics. Las Vegas would be great as hotel rooms are inexpensive and it is easy to get in and out by plane or car.

I accept being called "spoiled" but I am still open to innovations and definitely favor some mix of locations.

Steve

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Steve_NY

I have always suggested that there be two Nationals -- one near the East Coast and one near the West Coast. If there were two shows, I would do both. In fact, if there were a West Coast show now, I WOULD set up as a booth holder this time. I guarantee that I would not exercise my one in five skip. So I am in favor with moving the show around if the logistics can be worked out.

Maybe a one in three or four year rotation with Chicago, Atlantic City, Las Vegas or Anaheim, and one other choice?

I am not in favor of the Boston location unless we can move our display in ourselves and break down ourselves. We would need the ability to drive to our booth location as we can do right now at all Nationals. New York would be nice at Javits Center but the same issues that apply in Boston are issues in New York.

Anaheim or San Francisco or Las Vegas could be worth a try if they meet those specifics. Las Vegas would be great as hotel rooms are inexpensive and it is easy to get in and out by plane or car.

I accept being called "spoiled" but I am still open to innovations and definitely favor some mix of locations.

Steve

Sorry, but this post is quite a departure from your last one. If the east coast dealers sat out Anaheim, but everyone who went to Anaheim said it was a great show, then maybe you and your brethren have a misplaced sense of self importance.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Is there anything west of Arizona left?

If you want to see Pompeii on a budget, just come out to California instead. In a thousand years, archaeologists are going to discover my home buried under 100 feet of ash, and then create a plaster cast of my body holding a can of Spaghetti-O's and something that turns out to be a graded card slab.

[Rickyy]

If nothing is west of Mississippi then I wish they wouldn't call it a National. That always bothered me.

Ricky Y

[birdman42]

A few years ago some hard-working soul put together a good summary of why the National is where it is and isn't where it isn't. (Too wiped out now to plow through the archives to look for the thread.)

Essentially it came down to three things:

availability of floor space--the venue has to be big enough, but not too big.
scheduling flexibility--some venues won't schedule events out far enough in advance, and others want committments too far in the future
union labor--driving right up to your space ain't gonna happen in a place like Boston or NYC. Only union labor can handle unloading and loading at some venues.

Bill

[topcat61]

Originally Posted by Donscards

Boston would be nice---they have everything the National would need---But the toughest unions to deal with in the country. And only 2 hours for me---But my guess is Chicago.

Transportation in Boston is really tough. I cant see the city housing 40,000 people for a week. You'd have to go outside of it for cheap lodging. There's really only one way out and one way in to the city. Believe me, there's nothing I'd love more than to have a National here, but the city is not good. There are 2 large convention centers that are used for anything except the auto show in December at the waterfront. Boston has great sports history which is a plus but how knows, maybe I'm wrong on a National here? What do you think?

[steve B]

I think Boston could work, I think at one time there wasn't a large enough venue in the area.

Providence has a big convention center.
I went to a rabbit convention there and supposedly it was the only local place big enough. (They did it a couple years ago at the eastern states in springfield, but that's a bit too rural for the high rollers.

The stamp collectors have multiple large shows every year in different locations. (and an international in Boston in 2026 a big enough event they're starting to plan it already.) Many of the big dealers go to most of the big shows.
And if you guys think card dealers are old.....

[steve B]

If it's in Chicago would a bulletproof vest booth slide through?

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by steve B

If it's in Chicago would a bulletproof vest booth slide through?

Chicago is not really Chicago, it's in Rosemont a suburb of Chicago, so you're safe there.

[Steve_NY]

Maybe it's just me but one of the posters on this trail just has nothing positive to say or add and is only offering negative comments. I refuse to drop to that level. Such posters should be blocked like they do on Facebook.

The National is what it is because of the trailblazers that paved the way. The National Committee works very hard and they deserve a lot of credit for weighing all of the options and making difficult decisions for all of us. You just can't keep everyone happy all of the time.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Steve_NY

Maybe it's just me but one of the posters on this trail just has nothing positive to say or add and is only offering negative comments. I refuse to drop to that level. Such posters should be blocked like they do on Facebook.

The National is what it is because of the trailblazers that paved the way. The National Committee works very hard and they deserve a lot of credit for weighing all of the options and making difficult decisions for all of us. You just can't keep everyone happy all of the time.

I apologize for my tone. That said, I am only referencing, if not directly quoting, what you said. Yes the National Committee’s decisions are disappointing, but what set me off was the sense of entitlement oozing from your first post.

There. I’m done. Chicago or bust.

[Fred]

That's too bad - I've been to several Nationals in Cleveland and thought they were just fine. Would be nice to see the show hit a little further west.

[lowpopper]

A west coast national is overdue.

[68Hawk]

Here's a thought, though just had it so likely to be full of holes...

For a start, it could be outside. Open air, muuuuch safer - especially if done in concert with masks.
How, you might ask? Cardboard needs to be protected from the very least likely chance of rain....

I'm thinking in a place like Phoenix or Vegas.
In a venue set up under the already established protective canopies of....
The Parking Spot. Or similar. This image is of the one in Houston.


Already fenced for the protection of cars.
They're low on business because of Covid and downturn in travel...

Or similar, as I said.
Open air, covered. That would do it, no?