Cleveland's IX Center to Close - Home to the National

[ValKehl]

With all the collector unhappiness with the NSCC (event locations, new dealers can't get space, too much space given to corporates, etc.), I'm quite surprised that some enterprising show promoter hasn't already created a "Winter National" or a "Spring Training National" as a better alternative to the NSCC. I have little doubt such an event would be successful.

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

With all the collector unhappiness with the NSCC (event locations, new dealers can't get space, too much space given to corporates, etc.), I'm quite surprised that some enterprising show promoter hasn't already created a "Winter National" or a "Spring Training National" as a better alternative to the NSCC. I have little doubt such an event would be successful.

That's what I think every time I read the calls for the National to take place somewhere else. If there is demand for it, would like to see it happen.

[Exhibitman]

The outdoor thing is a great idea but I think you'd have to go somewhere like Los Angeles for it because of the potential for rain in eastern and midwest cities. We are basically dry here from May through September.

[JollyElm]

Wind. Wind is the first thing that comes to mind when I think about an outdoor show. How annoying is it when your napkins get blown away while eating outside? You spend most of your meal trying to devise new ways of anchoring those suckers down, so they don't ride the breeze when you deign to take a bite of your cheeseburger.

[nolemmings]

My daydream always has it at a baseball field rather than football, in particular a moderate to high-grade minor league facility. Obviously the team would have to be out of town for several days to make it available, but given the shaky status of minor league baseball these days, who knows what might be available.

Just for grins, I checked the website of the St. Paul Saints, an independent team partly owned by comedian Bill Murray, who frequents their games (at least back in normal times). This facility and no doubt dozens of others can be found around the country, and offers itself as a venue for weddings, concerts, festivals, etc. FYI, the light rail can take you to the ballpark, to the Mall of America, both airport terminals and Target Field. Here, take a virtual tour.
http://chsfield.com/venue/virtual-tour
http://chsfield.com/venue/event-spac...erts-festivals

I thought about wind too, which is why I believe a mostly enclosed baseball stadium would provide a decent windbreak. As for rain, I thought about the canopies I see at Costco every now and then, which are not very expensive and are bought by a lot of tail-gaiters. These would not be of much help in a driving storm, but they would be great to shield at least some of the elements, and would be nice to have to keep the sun from beating down on the dealers all day. Surely there are more complex and effective coverings available if people give it some thought and planning.

A baseball stadium would also have great seating for those looking to take a load off, and concession stands should not be a problem. Depending on configuration, there could be grandstand overhangs providing some protection also, and who knows, maybe tables could be set up in the concourses. Also, many have meeting or gathering rooms that could handle, say, a net54 dinner

[conor912]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

My daydream always has it at a baseball field rather than football, in particular a moderate to high-grade minor league facility. Obviously the team would have to be out of town for several days to make it available, but given the shaky status of minor league baseball these days, who knows what might be available.

Just for grins, I checked the website of the St. Paul Saints, an independent team partly owned by comedian Bill Murray, who frequents their games (at least back in normal times). This facility and no doubt dozens of others can be found around the country, and offers itself as a venue for weddings, concerts, festivals, etc. FYI, the light rail can take you to the ballpark, to the Mall of America, both airport terminals and Target Field. Here, take a virtual tour.
http://chsfield.com/venue/virtual-tour
http://chsfield.com/venue/event-spac...erts-festivals

I thought about wind too, which is why I believe a mostly enclosed baseball stadium would provide a decent windbreak. As for rain, I thought about the canopies I see at Costco every now and then, which are not very expensive and are bought by a lot of tail-gaiters. These would not be of much help in a driving storm, but they would be great to shield at least some of the elements, and would be nice to have to keep the sun from beating down on the dealers all day. Surely there are more complex and effective coverings available if people give it some thought and planning.

A baseball stadium would also have great seating for those looking to take a load off, and concession stands should not be a problem. Depending on configuration, there could be grandstand overhangs providing some protection also, and who knows, maybe tables could be set up in the concourses. Also, many have meeting or gathering rooms that could handle, say, a net54 dinner

I like this. I was thinking along the same lines as far as availability. There's got to be countless ballparks that would love to sign a big event contract right now, probably at a very favorable rate, too.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Wind. Wind is the first thing that comes to mind when I think about an outdoor show. How annoying is it when your napkins get blown away while eating outside? You spend most of your meal trying to devise new ways of anchoring those suckers down, so they don't ride the breeze when you deign to take a bite of your cheeseburger.

Each table will be supplied with a rock. Problem solved.

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

With all the collector unhappiness with the NSCC (event locations, new dealers can't get space, too much space given to corporates, etc.), I'm quite surprised that some enterprising show promoter hasn't already created a "Winter National" or a "Spring Training National" as a better alternative to the NSCC. I have little doubt such an event would be successful.

Val, while I too am a bit surprised no one else has tried (that we know of), I think one of the biggest hurdles is actually getting the corporate booths and autograph guests (tri-star) willing to put out a 2nd show. I don't see the motivation they would have to just drop the current show and, while you and I may not care, i don't think the national would be what it currently is without them.

[Exhibitman]

The ramp-up to putting on a major show is steep.

Even just running a local show is expensive and time-consuming. It isn't just decorating the barn and puttin' on a show. Minimally, if you assume a venue with its own supplies (tables, chairs, etc.) you have to locate and book the venue, secure insurance, plan marketing and execute, draft vendor contracts, secure required business licenses, get vendors and all required documents from them. The day of the show you have to make sure everything is good to go, arrange an orderly move-in and set-up, staff and run the show, then coordinate move-out and break-down, all of which is like herding cats. If you go for autograph guests or other special stuff you need to arrange, market and pay for that too. And you will bleed money for a while trying to get things going unless you have access to a venue at little or no cost.

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Thanks Adam, you just shut this thread down for good with that dose of reality. LOL

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

The ramp-up to putting on a major show is steep.

Even just running a local show is expensive and time-consuming. It isn't just decorating the barn and puttin' on a show. Minimally, if you assume a venue with its own supplies (tables, chairs, etc.) you have to locate and book the venue, secure insurance, plan marketing and execute, draft vendor contracts, secure required business licenses, get vendors and all required documents from them. The day of the show you have to make sure everything is good to go, arrange an orderly move-in and set-up, staff and run the show, then coordinate move-out and break-down, all of which is like herding cats. If you go for autograph guests or other special stuff you need to arrange, market and pay for that too. And you will bleed money for a while trying to get things going unless you have access to a venue at little or no cost.

So you don’t want a fish sandwich?

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by conor912

So you don’t want a fish sandwich?

Ummm, no?

Don't get me wrong: running a show was great fun too, but it is a lot of work and if you are planning to do anything more ambitious than a small local show you really do need a lot of time and a hefty bankroll to devote to it. if I was retired, for example, and had some help to do it, and COVID was over with, I would definitely consider starting, running on a regular basis, and hopefully growing a small show. Last time round we (myself and two partners) broke even on our third (and last) show but by then we'd lost our collective stomach for doing more. Oh, also add the accounting and security to the work list.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Ummm, no?

It’s a Ladies Man quote. I knew it was a longshot

[buymycards]

This has nothing to do with the topic, but I remember some of the smaller shows back in the 1990's where we had to bring our own tables.