2028 National Headed to Detroit or Atlanta?

[Rich Klein]

AI gave me a good title for this missive.

But as noted, this is for the dealers to vote on and as such, we can have our opinion but it is up to the voters.

Detroit has not hosted an NSCC since 1981 and that was during the baseball strike and Atlanta has not hosted an NSCC since 1999.

The real key for either location is to avoid the perils of Atlantic City from being difficult to get to and then being worried about leaving the facility to go anywhere.

For example, Chicago is well known for some rough areas but Rosemont, the suburb near O'Hare is reasonably safe for people coming in. Detroit is improving as a city but again how is the area NEAR the show. If it's a suburb, then you are probably in a good situation.

Downtown Atlanta can certainly hold enough people but again, how is the infrastructure for the dealers and the collectors.

Without knowing the details of the bids, we can only make some guesstimations but not an answer.

Regards
Rich

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

AI gave me a good title for this missive.

But as noted, this is for the dealers to vote on and as such, we can have our opinion but it is up to the voters.

Detroit has not hosted an NSCC since 1981 and that was during the baseball strike and Atlanta has not hosted an NSCC since 1999.

The real key for either location is to avoid the perils of Atlantic City from being difficult to get to and then being worried about leaving the facility to go anywhere.

For example, Chicago is well known for some rough areas but Rosemont, the suburb near O'Hare is reasonably safe for people coming in. Detroit is improving as a city but again how is the area NEAR the show. If it's a suburb, then you are probably in a good situation.

Downtown Atlanta can certainly hold enough people but again, how is the infrastructure for the dealers and the collectors.

Without knowing the details of the bids, we can only make some guesstimations but not an answer.

Regards
Rich

Any idea why the choices were just these two cities?

[Fred]

Either would be a nice change from Chicago.

[MJRaider]

It's about time the organizers acknowledge the hobby exists and is thriving outside NY/NJ and the Midwest. ATL it is.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Any idea why the choices were just these two cities?

Obviously, I do not speak for any of the show managers but remember there are certain criteria which have to be met before a bid can be made for a NSCC venue. These places did meet that criteria and thus are eligible to host the event.

I know when the current NSCC management group took over, they did a long interview with Jeremy Lee (who is hosting on you tube a great series on the Road to the National) and as such he can probably be on with them and they can provide the needed information we wish to hear.

As big as the NSCC has gotten in recent years, I'd would not be surprised if there were less than 15 places in this country which have the capability of hosting the event and want to have us as well

Regards
Rich

[akleinb611]

As a New Yorker, Atlantic City was pretty much the only location that would make my attendance possible. I don't think AC was quite as bad as some have made it out to be, although I will acknowledge that your milage may have varied.

Having had a wonderful time at both Baltimore conventions, and noting that most people here seem to agree with me about the Baltimore shows, I continue to be frustrated by the inability of the powers that be to make another Baltimore convention possible. I've been told multiple times that the reason for the difficulty is that the Baltimore venue refuses to book three years in advance. That is an oddly arbitrary stance on their part. Surely SOME way around that problem should be possible!

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by akleinb611

As a New Yorker, Atlantic City was pretty much the only location that would make my attendance possible. I don't think AC was quite as bad as some have made it out to be, although I will acknowledge that your milage may have varied.

Having had a wonderful time at both Baltimore conventions, and noting that most people here seem to agree with me about the Baltimore shows, I continue to be frustrated by the inability of the powers that be to make another Baltimore convention possible. I've been told multiple times that the reason for the difficulty is that the Baltimore venue refuses to book three years in advance. That is an oddly arbitrary stance on their part. Surely SOME way around that problem should be possible!

Baltimore was barely size acceptable in 2010, It is certainly not big enough in today's world

And for Atlantic City, When I lived in New Jersey, I LOVED being at the AC NSCC as a dealer and drove there. Now flying in from Dallas is a freaking pain in the you know what. It truly reminds me of Planes and Trains.

[notfast]

Originally Posted by akleinb611

As a New Yorker, Atlantic City was pretty much the only location that would make my attendance possible. I don't think AC was quite as bad as some have made it out to be, although I will acknowledge that your milage may have varied.

Having had a wonderful time at both Baltimore conventions, and noting that most people here seem to agree with me about the Baltimore shows, I continue to be frustrated by the inability of the powers that be to make another Baltimore convention possible. I've been told multiple times that the reason for the difficulty is that the Baltimore venue refuses to book three years in advance. That is an oddly arbitrary stance on their part. Surely SOME way around that problem should be possible!

Baltimore isnt even remotely close to being big enough.

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

AI gave me a good title for this missive.

But as noted, this is for the dealers to vote on and as such, we can have our opinion but it is up to the voters.

Detroit has not hosted an NSCC since 1981 and that was during the baseball strike and Atlanta has not hosted an NSCC since 1999.

The real key for either location is to avoid the perils of Atlantic City from being difficult to get to and then being worried about leaving the facility to go anywhere.

For example, Chicago is well known for some rough areas but Rosemont, the suburb near O'Hare is reasonably safe for people coming in. Detroit is improving as a city but again how is the area NEAR the show. If it's a suburb, then you are probably in a good situation.

Downtown Atlanta can certainly hold enough people but again, how is the infrastructure for the dealers and the collectors.

Without knowing the details of the bids, we can only make some guesstimations but not an answer.

Regards
Rich

Rich: The union was a problem last time I did a show in Atlanta. They had to haul your merchandise and showcases, etc. in and when the show closed haul it out. I had problems getting them to help as they seemed to be waiting for a bribe to get them to help. That was in 2000 at the All Star Fanfest Show, not sure how that will fly now. I am sure that the collecting community is a lot stronger in the south now than it was then.

[sayheykid54]

DETROIT. An absolutely fantastic downtown area. Detroit hosted the draft two years ago and it was incredible!

[ncinin]

Originally Posted by CurtisFlood

Rich: The union was a problem last time I did a show in Atlanta. They had to haul your merchandise and showcases, etc. in and when the show closed haul it out. I had problems getting them to help as they seemed to be waiting for a bribe to get them to help. That was in 2000 at the All Star Fanfest Show, not sure how that will fly now. I am sure that the collecting community is a lot stronger in the south now than it was then.

At the 1999 Atlanta NSCC you were able to load your inventory in and out of the show. I assume each show negotiates the level of union participation at some convention centers

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I am sure dealers who attended the last National in Cleveland will be asking about union workers no matter where the show is headed, and the answer will be a resounding "No" if there's a union.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

I am sure dealers who attended the last National in Cleveland will be asking about union workers no matter where the show is headed, and the answer will be a resounding "No" if there's a union.

I had no union issues in Cleveland and hadn't heard of any.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

I had no union issues in Cleveland and hadn't heard of any.

Forgive me; am I confusing venues? Could have sworn it was the last time in Cleveland where they were refusing to let people take their own material in and out.

[edhans]

There were no issues last year. There were in years past.

[SAllen2556]

Glad to see the Detroit site is downtown. Seriously, if you haven't been to Detroit in 5 years or more, it really, truly has transformed into an actual city. If the National was in November, I'd say go somewhere else. But in late July, I guarantee you'll enjoy it, especially if you rent a car to see some sites like the Motown museum and the art institute. Traffic here is non-existent compared to Atlanta. New bars and restaurants are everywhere. There's an amazing riverwalk, right outside the door of the convention center.

I grew up, went to school, and worked in Detroit, and every time I go downtown these days I can't believe it's the same city.

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Forgive me; am I confusing venues? Could have sworn it was the last time in Cleveland where they were refusing to let people take their own material in and out.

I made seven trips from my table to my trailer instead of 3 because the union would not allow us to break the two wheeler down and make it a four wheeler. That was pretty trash of them.

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

I am sure dealers who attended the last National in Cleveland will be asking about union workers no matter where the show is headed, and the answer will be a resounding "No" if there's a union.

Huntington is union. However, the q&a lists all non union activities which would cover 99% of exhibitors. You can set up your own area and unload at the loading docks using carts.

https://www.huntingtonplacedetroit.c...urniture%20etc.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by CurtisFlood

Rich: The union was a problem last time I did a show in Atlanta. They had to haul your merchandise and showcases, etc. in and when the show closed haul it out. I had problems getting them to help as they seemed to be waiting for a bribe to get them to help. That was in 2000 at the All Star Fanfest Show, not sure how that will fly now. I am sure that the collecting community is a lot stronger in the south now than it was then.

I have an image in my head of all these National Dealers Union busting in Atlanta

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

For example, Chicago is well known for some rough areas but Rosemont, the suburb near O'Hare is reasonably safe for people coming in. Detroit is improving as a city but again how is the area NEAR the show. If it's a suburb, then you are probably in a good situation

As a resident, the area downtown in and around Huntington could not be safer. Not only does the DPD patrol well, but Dan Gilbert owns so much down there the area in downtown has basically its own private police force. While the odd incidents still happen in the Greek town area around one of the casinos, I would say that downtown is now one of the safest major cities in the country around that area. Now if you leave the financial district…well good luck. Anyone with any logic would know better. The hotel situation is out of this world as you have enough to easily handle 100s of thousands in walking distance. Plenty of food in walking distances and ample food trucks allowed. Honestly, I can’t think of a better place for a National.