National location in 2024 and future

[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.

[Jewish-collector]

I used to love the Tuff Stuff shows at the Virginia State Fairgrounds in the 1990's beer chug.gif

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

I used to love the Tuff Stuff shows at the Virginia State Fairgrounds in the 1990's Attachment 532141

I moved to Richmond in late 1997 and enjoyed the remaining years of the Tuff Stuff shows. They had quality autograph guests and put on a great show.

[Sportsnutcards]

Originally Posted by Vintagedeputy

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.

There is no way that they would be looking to go to a smaller venue. They are looking to expand the size of the show, not make it smaller. I am also in the keep it in Chicago every year camp.

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by Sportsnutcards

There is no way that they would be looking to go to a smaller venue. They are looking to expand the size of the show, not make it smaller. I am also in the keep it in Chicago every year camp.

If the people in charge of the show think that, then that is exactly the pedestrian thinking that will not allow the hobby to grow. You have to bring the hobby to people who otherwise won't get to experience a show like that. Doing a smaller venue entices people to go visit the larger venue the next year because then they're hooked. Richmond used to have the Tuff Stuff shows here for years and they were extremely well received. CSA does major sportscard shows in Northern Virginia and they do well and have great autograph guests.

Do Richmond, then Chicago, then another smaller city, then another larger one.

[Jewish-collector]

I'm not sure, but I believe the decision on the National's location for 2024 and 2025 gets decided this week. beer chug.gif

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by Vintagedeputy

If the people in charge of the show think that, then that is exactly the pedestrian thinking that will not allow the hobby to grow. You have to bring the hobby to people who otherwise won't get to experience a show like that. Doing a smaller venue entices people to go visit the larger venue the next year because then they're hooked. Richmond used to have the Tuff Stuff shows here for years and they were extremely well received. CSA does major sportscard shows in Northern Virginia and they do well and have great autograph guests.

Do Richmond, then Chicago, then another smaller city, then another larger one.

Appreciate your passion for Richmond. Not seeing the national happen there though. The Civil War history there that you referenced before is probably not a big draw for many.

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by Carter08

Appreciate your passion for Richmond. Not seeing the national happen there though. The Civil War history there that you referenced before is probably not a big draw for many.

I can certainly understand that, but its just one of the many cool things here.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by Vintagedeputy

If the people in charge of the show think that, then that is exactly the pedestrian thinking that will not allow the hobby to grow. You have to bring the hobby to people who otherwise won't get to experience a show like that. Doing a smaller venue entices people to go visit the larger venue the next year because then they're hooked. Richmond used to have the Tuff Stuff shows here for years and they were extremely well received. CSA does major sportscard shows in Northern Virginia and they do well and have great autograph guests.

Do Richmond, then Chicago, then another smaller city, then another larger one.

Jim, I've lived in No. Va. my entire life, and I enjoyed going to the Tuff Stuff Shows back in the 1990's. But, tell me Jim, what caused their demise? Naturally, I'd love for the National to be held in Richmond, but quite frankly, there isn't a snowball's chance. BTW, how many Nationals have you attended (not trying to be mean - just curious)?

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Jim, I've lived in No. Va. my entire life, and I enjoyed going to the Tuff Stuff Shows back in the 1990's. But, tell me Jim, what caused their demise? Naturally, I'd love for the National to be held in Richmond, but quite frankly, there isn't a snowball's chance. BTW, how many Nationals have you attended (not trying to be mean - just curious)?

If I remember correctly, the company that owned the Tuff Stuff show was bought out by Krause Publications and moved shop to Iowa, maybe?

I have been to 2 Nationals. Both of them were more years ago than I care to think about and probably older than than some people here. I have also been to dozens of card shows over the years, both large and small. I would have loved to attend more Nationals over the years but job and family cut into that. I had actually thought about making the drive up 95 to AC but other things became a priority, sadly.