National may be in peril

[Tony Gordon]

As an Illinois resident, living and working not far from Rosemont, I was initially skeptical the National could happen. However, some recent events have given me hope. First of all, the Cubs allowed 10,000 fans in Wrigley Field yesterday. I read they plan to allow even more as the season progresses. Also, the Chicago area's main regular card show, the one in the south suburb of Orland Park, is scheduled to come back on April 18. The show has been shut down since February of 2020. My booth at the National is bought and paid for. I'm looking forward to it. I'm also setting up in Orland on April 18 and can't wait! Maybe things are finally opening up here.

[Snapolit1]

Will be nice when life returns to normal. Or substantially normal. We’ve all been cooped up too long. Maybe when we all hit the beach and the lake PSA will be able to dig out from their 27 million card backlog.

[JollyElm]

Be careful what you wish for...

Went Tried to go to a card show today here in Northern California. These types of (relatively small) shows are generally pretty well attended, but nothing too crazy. But today, due to the pandemic, it was an absolute nightmare. We arrived at about 9:30 for a 9 to 4 show at The Marriott. Pulling into the hotel, we saw there wasn't a single parking spot available, so we drove around in continuous loops waiting for something to suddenly open up. One finally did. Woo frickin' hoo! Approaching the entrance, we saw a line the likes of which I have never seen at one of these card shows before, with hundreds and hundreds of people snaking around the side of the venue, bending into every possible nook between dumpsters and construction trucks and whatever else. I talked to the guy at the door to see what was going on, perhaps there was a player signing autographs or something?? Nope, just a regular show. Owing to the current state of affairs, only 200 people (including the vendors) were allowed in at a time. My response to him was a simple, "This isn't like a supermarket where you go in, grab your stuff and leave. People looking at cards STAY and look at cards, usually for a whole bunch of hours." He replied, "Yup, I know," and told me the wait to get in would be at least two hours. Saying screw it, I joined the throngs of people on line to see if the wait time wasn't overestimated (knowing full well it was UNDERestimated). I kept staring at the people in the far distance near the beginning of the line, and decided to focus on a fellah I dubbed 'Barney Blue Jacket' (although his name was probably Mike or Bob or something). After 45 minutes, 'Barney Blue' was in the exact same spot. The line in front of me moved a bunch of times, but it was just a false positive with people scrunching up closer and closer together while the actual number of people between me and the mirage known as the door hadn't changed one bit. Nobody left the show, so no one 'new' was allowed inside. And again, there were hundreds of people in front of me. It would be countless hours before my number was called (and everything I would've hoped to buy would've already been snatched up regardless of the ridiculous pricing) and realized my only option was to bail. We left and went to eat, hit a dollar store and then Walmart, and eventually headed back to The Marriott. The line looked exactly the same (didn't even bother looking for 'B.B. Jacket' this time), so we ventured out again to check out the environs of Travis Air Force Base and walk around town a bit. By now it's closing in on 1PM and we once again headed back to the show...so take a wild guess what the situation was. The line hadn't moved at all, so home I went.

Long, boring story for nothing except to vent, but I can only imagine what kind of f_ckfest a large show will be if the same protocols are in place. Yowza.

P.S. Think I'll search for good ole 'Barn' on Facebook.

[Casey2296]

Next time walk through the back door confidently dressed in PPE with some gadget that beeps, stop at every table and inspect every card.
_

[Harliduck]

Washington state where I live is pretty hardcore. We had a Twin Oaks show here in Auburn, Wa today and happy to report it went off without a hitch. In fact, they moved it to a 2 day event and will be on for tomorrow. It was freakin' packed...very nice to see. Picked up some nice cards...great show.

Here is to hoping the National can go as planned...if so, I plan on working in the area to take advantage and attend...

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

Washington state where I live is pretty hardcore. We had a Twin Oaks show here in Auburn, Wa today and happy to report it went off without a hitch. In fact, they moved it to a 2 day event and will be on for tomorrow. It was freakin' packed...very nice to see. Picked up some nice cards...great show.

Here is to hoping the National can go as planned...if so, I plan on working in the area to take advantage and attend...

Same here in my area (VA/MD/PA). Have gone to a couple of small shows since Feb and while there was a line at a few, it moved and went off without a hitch. I think it depends on where you live, how restrictive things have been during the past 12 months (ie. state by state mandates), and how popular shows are in your area.

The key to how well the Natty will go and show traffic will flow is gonna be what the gathering restriction is at that point in IL. If it's less than 'wide open', there will probably be show traffic jams unless the show promoters govern ticket sales accordingly.

jeff

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Next time walk through the back door confidently dressed in PPE with some gadget that beeps, stop at every table and inspect every card.
_

Oh Lord, no National? Think of the pent up demand and the red hot market - a seller's paradise! Can't move it to Mumbai. Not cool there.

[Chris Counts]

I'm so glad I decided not to go. I was planning to, but my second Covid shot knocked me out of commission. That, plus four hours of traffic for the round trip.

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Be careful what you wish for...

Went Tried to go to a card show today here in Northern California. These types of (relatively small) shows are generally pretty well attended, but nothing too crazy. But today, due to the pandemic, it was an absolute nightmare. We arrived at about 9:30 for a 9 to 4 show at The Marriott. Pulling into the hotel, we saw there wasn't a single parking spot available, so we drove around in continuous loops waiting for something to suddenly open up. One finally did. Woo frickin' hoo! Approaching the entrance, we saw a line the likes of which I have never seen at one of these card shows before, with hundreds and hundreds of people snaking around the side of the venue, bending into every possible nook between dumpsters and construction trucks and whatever else. I talked to the guy at the door to see what was going on, perhaps there was a player signing autographs or something?? Nope, just a regular show. Owing to the current state of affairs, only 200 people (including the vendors) were allowed in at a time. My response to him was a simple, "This isn't like a supermarket where you go in, grab your stuff and leave. People looking at cards STAY and look at cards, usually for a whole bunch of hours." He replied, "Yup, I know," and told me the wait to get in would be at least two hours. Saying screw it, I joined the throngs of people on line to see if the wait time wasn't overestimated (knowing full well it was UNDERestimated). I kept staring at the people in the far distance near the beginning of the line, and decided to focus on a fellah I dubbed 'Barney Blue Jacket' (although his name was probably Mike or Bob or something). After 45 minutes, 'Barney Blue' was in the exact same spot. The line in front of me moved a bunch of times, but it was just a false positive with people scrunching up closer and closer together while the actual number of people between me and the mirage known as the door hadn't changed one bit. Nobody left the show, so no one 'new' was allowed inside. And again, there were hundreds of people in front of me. It would be countless hours before my number was called (and everything I would've hoped to buy would've already been snatched up regardless of the ridiculous pricing) and realized my only option was to bail. We left and went to eat, hit a dollar store and then Walmart, and eventually headed back to The Marriott. The line looked exactly the same (didn't even bother looking for 'B.B. Jacket' this time), so we ventured out again to check out the environs of Travis Air Force Base and walk around town a bit. By now it's closing in on 1PM and we once again headed back to the show...so take a wild guess what the situation was. The line hadn't moved at all, so home I went.

Long, boring story for nothing except to vent, but I can only imagine what kind of f_ckfest a large show will be if the same protocols are in place. Yowza.

P.S. Think I'll search for good ole 'Barn' on Facebook.

[chalupacollects]

[QUOTE=JollyElm;2096308]Be careful what you wish for...

Went Tried to go to a card show today here in Northern California. These types of (relatively small) shows are generally pretty well attended, but nothing too crazy. But today, due to the pandemic, it was an absolute nightmare. We arrived at about 9:30 for a 9 to 4 show at The Marriott. Pulling into the hotel, we saw there wasn't a single parking spot available, so we drove around in continuous loops waiting for something to suddenly open up. One finally did. Woo frickin' hoo! Approaching the entrance, we saw a line the likes of which I have never seen at one of these card shows before, with hundreds and hundreds of people snaking around the side of the venue, bending into every possible nook between dumpsters and construction trucks and whatever else. I talked to the guy at the door to see what was going on, perhaps there was a player signing autographs or something?? Nope, just a regular show. Owing to the current state of affairs, only 200 people (including the vendors) were allowed in at a time. My response to him was a simple, "This isn't like a supermarket where you go in, grab your stuff and leave. People looking at cards STAY and look at cards, usually for a whole bunch of hours." He replied, "Yup, I know," and told me the wait to get in would be at least two hours. Saying screw it, I joined the throngs of people on line to see if the wait time wasn't overestimated (knowing full well it was UNDERestimated). I kept staring at the people in the far distance near the beginning of the line, and decided to focus on a fellah I dubbed 'Barney Blue Jacket' (although his name was probably Mike or Bob or something). After 45 minutes, 'Barney Blue' was in the exact same spot. The line in front of me moved a bunch of times, but it was just a false positive with people scrunching up closer and closer together while the actual number of people between me and the mirage known as the door hadn't changed one bit. Nobody left the show, so no one 'new' was allowed inside. And again, there were hundreds of people in front of me. It would be countless hours before my number was called (and everything I would've hoped to buy would've already been snatched up regardless of the ridiculous pricing) and realized my only option was to bail. We left and went to eat, hit a dollar store and then Walmart, and eventually headed back to The Marriott. The line looked exactly the same (didn't even bother looking for 'B.B. Jacket' this time), so we ventured out again to check out the environs of Travis Air Force Base and walk around town a bit. By now it's closing in on 1PM and we once again headed back to the show...so take a wild guess what the situation was. The line hadn't moved at all, so home I went.

Long, boring story for nothing except to vent, but I can only imagine what kind of f_ckfest a large show will be if the same protocols are in place. Yowza.


For the few small shows in NJ/NY area that came off recently it was the same experience. Long, overcrowded lines that didn't move. People with "early arrival" passes getting screwed also because occupancy limits included dealer personnel not being able to get inside. Wait times in excess of 2 hours plus to approach the door.

That said there is no way the national will be allowed to let 30-50k people in an enclosed venue to mill around without following 6 foot spacing and masking protocols. Wait times to get in will be very lengthy unless time limits are put on people inside of say an hour or two at a time to rotate people through the show. Thus people will have travelled many miles, paid for a hotel room and tickets, food and beverage and see nothing. Because as mentioned above collectors are browsers and will hang around.

If the weather is nice - Soldier field? Under giant tents and out doors less restrictive since there has been no scientific proof of outdoor transmission.

[Gnep31]

If a vaccination is required then why would occupancy limits be in place???

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Gnep31

If a vaccination is required then why would occupancy limits be in place???

you DO know the vaccine isn't 100% effective?

[MooseDog]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

you DO know the vaccine isn't 100% effective?

No, but the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been shown to be remarkably effective against a vaccinated person getting infected and even more so prevent death.

I work in an environment in which there was a really bad outbreak. After a program of shutdown, testing, isolating positives, vaccinations (mostly P&M), temperature checks on entry to the grouds, mandated masking and constant testing since re-opening there have been ZERO positives since Dec 26 among employees or family.

Perhaps card show promoters can move to some kind of timed entry system (sell tickets for 2 hour blocks or something) to mitigate the lines. Otherwise I could see some enterprising folks selling out of their trunks in the parking lots!

As with my work, it was always a process. As the Marines say, "improvise, adapt, overcome". We have to work closely with the County Health Dept and despite the red tape, we've been able to stay in business and keep everyone safe at the same time.

Originally Posted by ullmandds

you DO know the vaccine isn't 100% effective?

Neither are masks or social distancing. Ultimately if you go to a show you are saying I know I am at risk and possibly putting others at risk. Attend at your own discretion and to each his own. At this point I doubt many people attending any events or shows are uneducated about the risk involved. I've been going to toy shows all over the country for over a year now and finally caught the virus right here in my little town of 3000 people. I practiced all the protocols religiously since I have a compromised immune system but still caught it. You can't run from it and because the vaccine isn't 100% effective eventually everyone will have had or will have it unless you haven't left your house for two years. Not everyone is getting the vaccine either. I know one person that hasn't left the house but six times the entire last year.

[the-illini]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

you DO know the vaccine isn't 100% effective?

We are never going to a card show, concert, amusement park etc again if that is what it takes for these events to happen.

[Gnep31]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

you DO know the vaccine isn't 100% effective?

I do...sorry the sarcasm in my message didn't come through

Even if I ever do get the shot I wouldn't go to the National just for the fact they are requiring proof.

I saw a meme about a week ago that went something like this...

How many times have you heard someone say they did their research before choosing one of the vaccines?

Unfortunately, what they don't realize, is they are the research.

[maniac_73]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

you DO know the vaccine isn't 100% effective?

So whats the end game then? If nothing is 100% effective will we just have masks and restrictions in place for the rest of time?

[hammertime]

Originally Posted by Tony Gordon

As an Illinois resident, living and working not far from Rosemont, I was initially skeptical the National could happen. However, some recent events have given me hope. First of all, the Cubs allowed 10,000 fans in Wrigley Field yesterday. I read they plan to allow even more as the season progresses.

That's outdoors though... kinda apples and oranges.