Sports Conventions - Dealers - Questions

drc · #1 03-11-2010, 12:12 PM

You should post on the PSA board (psacard.com), as there are lots of dealers and collectors there. I'd think you might get some good input there. They talk about shows there with some regularity.

ChiefBenderForever · #2 03-11-2010, 12:36 PM

Sounds like you have a great opportunity to have something successful. To get things going smoothly I would have the tables as low priced as possible. Remember many of the dealers will have to stay in hotels, food , ect. So a small fee would give them more room to wheel and deal with the collectors. And even if they don't, collectors will have some good stuff to look at. From what I have read about the Philly shows they used to be great but now charge so much for tables many dealers don't even go. By charging a small admission fee you could try to make some money on concessions. If you make it a reasonble and friendly experience it could go well and grow. I just moved to the area and am not that far away, I hope it works out I would love to attend and hopefully pick up a few nice cards !

whitehse · #3 03-11-2010, 12:55 PM

Sounds like it would be a great show...too bad I dont live anywhere near there!!

I just wanted to say that the number of tables you have mentioned might be a bit ambitious for the exibition space you have. I used to organize card shows for many years back in the day and the last thing you want to do is cram as many tables into your space with little regard for traffic flow. You will want to allow for the show attendees to move freely between tables and you also want to give your dealers enough space behind their tables as to not feel cramped. I know hockey rinks are very large but it just seems to me that any more than 100-110 tables might cramp everyone which will cause dealers and attendees to remember that and not return. I know the shows I always knew would be cramped I stayed away from unless it was a show that was so good I could not miss it.

Good luck on your venture and please feel free to pm me with any questions you have!!

Jim VB · #4 03-11-2010, 01:41 PM

Todd,

Here's a thought. Rather than try to organize the show from scratch yourself, perhaps you can find a promoter who has the necessary contacts to fill the building with dealers and customers.

Most parts of the country have dealers who organized shows years ago. Many stopped because of dwindling attendance and rising site rental rates. If your rental rate is decent, you may be able to talk one into trying again.

Jewish-collector · #5 03-11-2010, 01:43 PM

Todd,

To make this successful, you need to make contact with many of the high end dealers, auction houses, grading companies. If the "clients" (collectors) see that these big name dealers are setting up at a particular show, it will entice them to attend.

If you want this done in the next couple of months, go to the Phiily show this weekend & talk to these dealers, auction houses, and grading companies. If you don't need to have it done before August, then go to the National & talk with them there.

Good Luck,
Alan

Tony Gordon · #6 03-11-2010, 02:20 PM

From a dealer's perspective you need to be able to guarantee that there will be customers. I set up at 60-table shows most every weekend in the Chicago/Milwaukee area. I've tried new shows in the past and didn't make table fees. So I now stick to the shows where I know there will be people in the door. For a new show, you will have to do some hefty advertising to lure dealers away from the establshed shows. Even with advertising, I think you are going to have a tough time getting dealers.

canjond · #7 03-11-2010, 03:31 PM

Your show location is also pretty close to the White Plains show so you will have to make sure you coordinate properly and not run a competing show on the same weekend. While the White Plains show are nothing compared to how they used to be, if you run your event the same weekend, you will be competing for an already limited amount of dealers.

timzcardz · #8 03-12-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim VB

Todd,

Here's a thought. Rather than try to organize the show from scratch yourself, perhaps you can find a promoter who has the necessary contacts to fill the building with dealers and customers.

Most parts of the country have dealers who organized shows years ago. Many stopped because of dwindling attendance and rising site rental rates. If your rental rate is decent, you may be able to talk one into trying again.

As I started reading through this, I had the same thought.

Without the established contacts and reputation, successfully putting on a decent size show is probably a much larger task than you think.

An established promoter/organizer can bring in the dealers that you would need for a success, and knows exaclty how everything has to go.

You get to rent out your space, make money on food and drink, and introduce potential customers to your facility.

Quote:

Originally Posted by canjond

Your show location is also pretty close to the White Plains show so you will have to make sure you coordinate properly and not run a competing show on the same weekend. While the White Plains show are nothing compared to how they used to be, if you run your event the same weekend, you will be competing for an already limited amount of dealers.

That would be the promoter I would go to. They know the business, and they know the area market. They would get dealers and companies that someone with no history wouldn't be able to.

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