National location in 2024 and future

[Exhibitman]

Given the growth of the hobby maybe not a bad idea to add more space. I'd also argue for modifying the floor plans for the show:

1. Put the autographs, breaker area and the card grading services in a separate room. Those activities are sufficiently differentiated from the basic buying and selling of cards and memorabilia that there is no real loss to having them off the main floor.

2. I'd also put the true corporate booths (the ones that don't actually sell stuff) at one end of the main floor away from the dealer tables. It is a PITA to circle around or traverse the no-man's-land of the corporate booths twenty times a day moving between dealer table rows.

3. I would also segregate the auction houses from the dealer tables. Candidly, I don't care what trinkets the AHs have on display; that's maybe something I briefly look at while having a snack.

I'd love to see 700-1000 dealer tables concentrated into one area.

I'd also like to see more tables and chairs available besides by the concessions. The IX Center certainly could accommodate a series of sitting areas on the show floor. Might be nice for visiting and trading.

ETA: my last few shows in Cleveland have been really good, and I have come around to not minding the IX Center, especially if they've gotten rid of that f***ing annoying Ferris wheel dead zone in the middle of the room. The airport is the size of a small regional airport here in LA, so easy to get around (I still get lost in O'Hare every time) and I've found some good areas to go to eat. Having to get a car is a drag, but it isn't a deal-breaker for me.

[Jewish-collector]

Add as many dealers at the IX Center as the facility can possibly hold. 800 or 1000 or whatever beer chug.gifbeer chug.gifbeer chug.gif

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Hoping that the new blood running the forthcoming shows might have some fresh ideas, such as "Maybe we can actually pay a little bit for a venue instead of expecting one to be handed to us.". It would sure open up a lot of possibilities, wouldn't it? I understand that several venues wouldn't be ideal for one reason or another, but maybe, just maybe, there might be something out there that is affordable enough that it would freshen up this event and not cut too much into their profits. Variety is sorely needed. When is the last time this idea was even tried (paying for a site)? Certainly far prior to the COVID hobby boom.

(Maybe I am mistaken, but am fairly certain that "free venue" was always the former promoters' main point for the same, tiresome drudgery and the reasoning for not even considering to explore so many other avenues.)

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

Hoping that the new blood running the forthcoming shows might have some fresh ideas, such as "Maybe we can actually pay a little bit for a venue instead of expecting one to be handed to us.".

They haven't been paying for the venues? Wow! How does that work?

[Tony Gordon]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Given the growth of the hobby maybe not a bad idea to add more space. I'd also argue for modifying the floor plans for the show:

1. Put the autographs, breaker area and the card grading services in a separate room. Those activities are sufficiently differentiated from the basic buying and selling of cards and memorabilia that there is no real loss to having them off the main floor.

2. I'd also put the true corporate booths (the ones that don't actually sell stuff) at one end of the main floor away from the dealer tables. It is a PITA to circle around or traverse the no-man's-land of the corporate booths twenty times a day moving between dealer table rows.

3. I would also segregate the auction houses from the dealer tables. Candidly, I don't care what trinkets the AHs have on display; that's maybe something I briefly look at while having a snack.

I'd love to see 700-1000 dealer tables concentrated into one area.

I'd also like to see more tables and chairs available besides by the concessions. The IX Center certainly could accommodate a series of sitting areas on the show floor. Might be nice for visiting and trading.

ETA: my last few shows in Cleveland have been really good, and I have come around to not minding the IX Center, especially if they've gotten rid of that f***ing annoying Ferris wheel dead zone in the middle of the room. The airport is the size of a small regional airport here in LA, so easy to get around (I still get lost in O'Hare every time) and I've found some good areas to go to eat. Having to get a car is a drag, but it isn't a deal-breaker for me.

Great suggestions! Unfortunately, I think the folks that operate the National are not concerned about the dealers. Seems to me the show is all about the corporate booths, auction houses and the breakers. How come the corporate folks don't have to wait in line in the dealer lottery to get booths? I also wonder with new management all based out east, what is their incentive to hold the show anywhere but east?

I have observed that there are more and more large shows being held across the country. I think these large regional shows will become better alternatives for dealers in the future as the National continues to cater to corporate, auction houses and breakers (someone take away their microphones!!). I also would like to see more vintage-only shows like Strongsville.

[Vintagedeputy]

Virginia Beach or Richmond!

[insidethewrapper]

Any contact information available for the new owners/promoters of the future National Shows ? I can't find how to contact them. Thanks

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by Vintagedeputy

Virginia Beach or Richmond!

Even combined they're not large enough. VB is 180k sqft including the separate ballroom and Richmond is 178k sqft.

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

Even combined they're not large enough. VB is 180k sqft including the separate ballroom and Richmond is 178k sqft.

There are two major hotels directly adjacent to the Richmond Convention Center where any number of specific activities like autograph signings could take place.

Smaller venues are fine too if you’re bringing the show to other parts of the country besides the major cities. Not everyone can make it to AC or Cleveland. Route 95 runs right though Richmond and the airport is 15 minutes from downtown. It’s a great location.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Besides being too small, I'm not envisioning many people being interested in heading to Richmond for a week. While one side of the argument can say it's a decent midpoint for NY/NJ and Florida collectors (both of which represent a huge portion of the hobby), others just wouldn't understand it as a destination for such an event. I'm quite amazed how much it's been brought up in this thread.

I think I've asked this before, but what about Cincinnati? What a perfect town from a baseball history perspective. It's also going to be about the same amount of travel for most people as going to Chicago. There has to be a space with enough room in that city, doesn't there? Lots of hotels.

Similarly, how about St. Louis? Might bring in more people from west of the Mississippi. Let's make everyone travel!

With the rich baseball histories of both cities, in addition to the fact that they were both historically booming places, there would be a lot of opportunities for great surprise walk-in discoveries!

[Bigdaddy]

I may be wrong, but I'm guessing that more dealers had rather spend the night in a casino than at a ballpark.

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

Besides being too small, I'm not envisioning many people being interested in heading to Richmond for a week. While one side of the argument can say it's a decent midpoint for NY/NJ and Florida collectors (both of which represent a huge portion of the hobby), others just wouldn't understand it as a destination for such an event. I'm quite amazed how much it's been brought up in this thread.

Richmond is 2 hours from Virginia Beach, 2 hours from DC and 2 hours from the mountains. Baltimore is an easy 3 hour drive. The city is a foodie destination with tons of Civil War history, NASCAR and Class IV rapids running right through the city on the James River. Historic Charlottesville is an hour to the west and Colonial Williamsburg is 45 minutes to the east. With Route 95 (north and south) and Route 64 (east and west) running through the city, its a great location for those traveling by car. Richmond International airport is here, Norfolk International is 90 minutes away, and Dulles or Reagan airports are 90 minutes to 2 hours north. That's 4 major airports nearby.

Richmond deserves serious consideration.