What would you change / improve about the National.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

Regional shows? Dallas, LA, Philly, Nashville, etc are big regional shows that are already happening.

Nashville? When has there ever been a big show in Nashville? Chicago, White Plains, Philly, Chantilly and Dallas are the only big regional shows.

[thepilluh]

There is a pretty good size show in Nashville in September. And I think they have had it the past couple of years as well. Couple hundred tables, which is more than white plains, and a nashville show they had earlier this year touted like 500 tables. Though I saw youtube videos of the show and not sure what counts as a "table" in the count. But I have seen that with other shows too where the term table seems to be a loose term. https://musiccitycollectiblesshow.com/

[Spinz]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

Most people attending dont want to hear Breakers screaming all day nor do they have any interest in them

Minnesota has one now too. This is a Spring Show and it's taking over the 2nd biggest convention center next year

[SupermanBrandon]

Originally Posted by rats60

Nashville? When has there ever been a big show in Nashville? Chicago, White Plains, Philly, Chantilly and Dallas are the only big regional shows.

2x a year. The “Nash-ional”. 3 day show. 700+ tables. 5 minutes from downtown Nashville. They’ve been doing it for a couple of years now. Plus the October show the poster above mentions. It’s 500 tables? with a great list of autographers.


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[rats60]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

2x a year. The “Nash-ional”. 3 day show. 700+ tables. 5 minutes from downtown Nashville. They’ve been doing it for a couple of years now. Plus the October show the poster above mentions. It’s 500 tables? with a great list of autographers.


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I have been to both those shows. They aren't big shows, at least not on the level with the spring and fall Chicago Shows, or any of the others I mentioned. 4 Hall of Famers isn't a great list of autographed to me.

[SupermanBrandon]

Originally Posted by rats60

I have been to both those shows. They aren't big shows, at least not on the level with the spring and fall Chicago Shows, or any of the others I mentioned. 4 Hall of Famers isn't a great list of autographed to me.

Apologies if you don't think a 3 Day 700+ card show (2x a year) in Nashville is big enough. Never compared it to Chicago. Just reiterating that regional shows are happening already!

The other show (2 days, 1x a year) in "Franklin" isn't that great. I agree. Maybe 200-300 tables? I think this year they have Clemens, Ozzie Smith, Sandberg, Frank Thomas, Smoltz, Andruw Jones, etc. Its more a autograph show than a card show, imo.

[Pacmeyer]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

Apologies if you don't think a 3 Day 700+ card show (2x a year) in Nashville is big enough. Never compared it to Chicago. Just reiterating that regional shows are happening already!

The other show (2 days, 1x a year) in "Franklin" isn't that great. I agree. Maybe 200-300 tables? I think this year they have Clemens, Ozzie Smith, Sandberg, Frank Thomas, Smoltz, Andruw Jones, etc. Its more a autograph show than a card show, imo.

700 tables of what size? A 10x15 Nat booth could fit several tables from most regional shows.

[Collector only]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

Most people attending dont want to hear Breakers screaming all day nor do they have any interest in them

I think the way is to put the breaker pavilion in a different building, in a different city, on a different weekend….and see whom, if anyone shows up.

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by Collector only

I think the way is to put the breaker pavilion in a different building, in a different city, on a different weekend….and see whom, if anyone shows up.

I could also do without the breakers there.

Were there a lot of ppl at the National actually participating in live breaks in the "Breaker Pavilion?"

It seems that most ppl who were breaking at the National were just basically doing their same online schtick for the same online crowd, just in a different location, which probably didn't matter to their online audience.

[collective]

^Less or no breakers, preferably

[rats60]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

Apologies if you don't think a 3 Day 700+ card show (2x a year) in Nashville is big enough. Never compared it to Chicago. Just reiterating that regional shows are happening already!

The other show (2 days, 1x a year) in "Franklin" isn't that great. I agree. Maybe 200-300 tables? I think this year they have Clemens, Ozzie Smith, Sandberg, Frank Thomas, Smoltz, Andruw Jones, etc. Its more a autograph show than a card show, imo.

We are just using big in a different context. A big show is like the Big Leagues vs. Minor Leagues. A big show has quality dealers, quality merchandise and collectors come and spend freely. It is something that dealers or collectors wouldn't miss. That is shows like Philly, Chantilly, Chicago, ECN, etc. To you big show is just the number of tables.

[jfan2024]

Sell less VIP tickets. There are WAY too many VIPs even before media and dealer passes. VIP means absolutely nothing anymore

I go to the National for the wrapper redemptions. I don't understand why Topps and Panini aren't handing out packs starting from open at 9:30am. It would have done a lot to reduce the ridiculous lines especially at Topps every day this year. Panini redemptions taking 3-4 hour breaks in the middle of the day when the most people are there is equally ridiculous

[mnvikingstwins]

Originally Posted by jfan2024

Sell less VIP tickets. There are WAY too many VIPs even before media and dealer passes. VIP means absolutely nothing anymore

I go to the National for the wrapper redemptions. I don't understand why Topps and Panini aren't handing out packs starting from open at 9:30am. It would have done a lot to reduce the ridiculous lines especially at Topps every day this year. Panini redemptions taking 3-4 hour breaks in the middle of the day when the most people are there is equally ridiculous

If it means nothing and yet people are still paying extra for it then why would national stop selling vip?

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by jfan2024

Sell less VIP tickets. There are WAY too many VIPs even before media and dealer passes. VIP means absolutely nothing anymore

I go to the National for the wrapper redemptions. I don't understand why Topps and Panini aren't handing out packs starting from open at 9:30am. It would have done a lot to reduce the ridiculous lines especially at Topps every day this year. Panini redemptions taking 3-4 hour breaks in the middle of the day when the most people are there is equally ridiculous

They do sell way too many VIPs now.

[notoriousrmb]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

They do sell way too many VIPs now.

This. If absolutely nothing else changes, reduce the number of VIP tickets. It no longer has a benefit.

[brothertona]

Have it more places - Vegas could regularly holds CES that gets close to 2 million people - Atlanta - #@#@#@#@ Dallas would be hella fun for a show.

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by jfan2024

Sell less VIP tickets. There are WAY too many VIPs even before media and dealer passes. VIP means absolutely nothing anymore

I go to the National for the wrapper redemptions. I don't understand why Topps and Panini aren't handing out packs starting from open at 9:30am. It would have done a lot to reduce the ridiculous lines especially at Topps every day this year. Panini redemptions taking 3-4 hour breaks in the middle of the day when the most people are there is equally ridiculous

I agree they should sell less VIP tickets, but highly doubtful the board will take this step bc it makes them a lot of money.

If anything, they should restructure the VIP ticket so it has more benefits but this board isn't going to risk taking away a money maker.

[Bigjigglies]

Originally Posted by notoriousrmb

This. If absolutely nothing else changes, reduce the number of VIP tickets. It no longer has a benefit.

Why reduce the number of VIP tickets being sold? The nice part about the VIP tickets is you are not required to buy one, it is an option. If it has no benefit to you, pass on it and just pay admission.

They do not release the total number that is sold but it is assumed to be around 1500 total for Super VIP and regular VIP. If total attendance broke 100,000 than the percentage of VIP tickets being sold is pretty small. Each VIP pass counted as 5 admissions for the show. I know people who buy more than one just for the extra autograph tickets.

Please explain the benefit to the show, attendees or dealers of selling less VIP tickets. Yes, the show benefits the most from the money. Maybe they should cut back the number sold and raise admission to $40 per day. I really do not think that selling less would have any effect on people going to the show.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by Bigjigglies

Why reduce the number of VIP tickets being sold? The nice part about the VIP tickets is you are not required to buy one, it is an option. If it has no benefit to you, pass on it and just pay admission.

They do not release the total number that is sold but it is assumed to be around 1500 total for Super VIP and regular VIP. If total attendance broke 100,000 than the percentage of VIP tickets being sold is pretty small. Each VIP pass counted as 5 admissions for the show. I know people who buy more than one just for the extra autograph tickets.

Please explain the benefit to the show, attendees or dealers of selling less VIP tickets. Yes, the show benefits the most from the money. Maybe they should cut back the number sold and raise admission to $40 per day. I really do not think that selling less would have any effect on people going to the show.

Less VIPs mean less time they have to wait in long lines to get their autographs instead of being out spending money or taking part in other activities in the show itself. The VIP lines have grown to be ridiculous sizes. That also affects the General Public who may have purchased tickets for that athlete as well as they wait a tremendous amount of time to get to the numbered tickets. It also affects the amount of space available for others in the autograph pavilion. They have had a real issue with crowd control on Saturdays the last few years; often time resulting in TriStar needing to bring in the police to help with the crowds.

[Bigjigglies]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

The VIP lines have grown to be ridiculous sizes. That also affects the General Public who may have purchased tickets for that athlete as well as they wait a tremendous amount of time to get to the numbered tickets. It also affects the amount of space available for others in the autograph pavilion. They have had a real issue with crowd control on Saturdays the last few years; often time resulting in TriStar needing to bring in the police to help with the crowds.

This was the first year in quite a while that they got to wild card tickets on every VIP guest, last year they hardly got to any wild cards. So the lines were definitely shorter this year. This probably had to do with the quality of the guests.

Have you heard of any numbered ticket not getting used because the vip line was to long? Probably not since numbered tickets go before the vip tickets!

Police are always there, when has TriStar had to use them for crowd control?

[SearchPatrol]

Why limit VIP's? More should be made available if needed.

Just so folks get a higher priority for autograph's? Get more VIP autograph guests then. For every 100-200 VIP packages sold get 1 guest. The problem is not the number of VIP tickets sold. TriStar is just a very cheap company.

[notoriousrmb]

Originally Posted by Bigjigglies

Why reduce the number of VIP tickets being sold? The nice part about the VIP tickets is you are not required to buy one, it is an option. If it has no benefit to you, pass on it and just pay admission.

They do not release the total number that is sold but it is assumed to be around 1500 total for Super VIP and regular VIP. If total attendance broke 100,000 than the percentage of VIP tickets being sold is pretty small. Each VIP pass counted as 5 admissions for the show. I know people who buy more than one just for the extra autograph tickets.

Please explain the benefit to the show, attendees or dealers of selling less VIP tickets. Yes, the show benefits the most from the money. Maybe they should cut back the number sold and raise admission to $40 per day. I really do not think that selling less would have any effect on people going to the show.

I've bought a VIP ticket every year since 2012, its been worth it every year until now. So let's go through the benefits here:

Attendees: Easier access to the show floor when their 30 min window opens. The hallway to the VIP entrance was extremely full every morning this year in Chicago. Most VIPs want to get in early so they can be in the front of the line when general admission opens and the vendors start their promotions for the day. If you were at the back of that crowd, you are already losing your benefit to getting in early when you have 100 other VIPs ahead of you in line.

Secondly, and especially in locations like Chicago, the VIPs get access to the VIP lounge which is a great place to take a time out, rest your feet, open some cards or chat with some friends away from the show floor. That VIP lounge was packed. Sometimes I could find a seat, many times I could not.

The Wednesday VIP party is overcrowded, standing room only. Long lines for VIP autographs, long lines for food and beverage perks.

VIP Promos are a nice benefit of that pass as well. With less VIP passes, those who DO have a pass have more value in their bags as those promos are lower printed. Less need to be printed as well, saving the manufacturers a few bucks. Check in will go quicker, that should make those who paid more for VIP pretty happy too.

Dealers: If you keep the VIPs happy and well rested, I'm sure they will spend more time on the show floor buying and browsing your wares. How does selling more VIP passes help dealers? I can't really see much in the way of pros and cons overall for dealers here one way or another.

Usually, the VIPs are the ones spending more money anyways. If they are willing to shell out ~$200+ just to get in the door, they typically have money to spend. Again, space is limited and the VIPs aren't exactly getting all the benefits of their passes. Helps to keep them happy and spending.

"The Show": It's just less money in their pockets if you sell less. I have no idea how the sales from these tickets are distributed so I'm not going to comment one way or another on that. If anything, its just about keeping your customers happy.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by Bigjigglies

This was the first year in quite a while that they got to wild card tickets on every VIP guest, last year they hardly got to any wild cards. So the lines were definitely shorter this year. This probably had to do with the quality of the guests.

Have you heard of any numbered ticket not getting used because the vip line was to long? Probably not since numbered tickets go before the vip tickets!

Police are always there, when has TriStar had to use them for crowd control?

Yes the autograph guests sucked big time this year for VIPs.

It's not a matter of numbered tickets not getting called. It once again goes back to the fact that those numbered tickets are once again, like the VIPs, hanging around more at the autograph pavilion waiting their turn to get their autograph than out on the show floor spending money.

Yes, police are routinely there, but they usually are rarely seen in front of the curtains. The last two years, the TriStar guys were having issues with the crowds on Saturday (especially keeping the yellow box in and out of the pavilion open) and the police have to had to come out and assist with this/look more intimidating.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by SearchPatrol

Why limit VIP's? More should be made available if needed.

Just so folks get a higher priority for autograph's? Get more VIP autograph guests then. For every 100-200 VIP packages sold get 1 guest. The problem is not the number of VIP tickets sold. TriStar is just a very cheap company.

Why would TriStar clog up more pavilion space with less quality VIP autograph guests and take it away from the bigger money guys so they lose money?

[Bigjigglies]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

It's not a matter of numbered tickets not getting called. It once again goes back to the fact that those numbered tickets are once again, like the VIPs, hanging around more at the autograph pavilion waiting their turn to get their autograph than out on the show floor spending money.

I have had this discussion with many long time collectors and dealers. I feel that it is two shows in one. The card show and the autograph show. There is some, but very little crossover. Many people go to the show and could care less about the autograph arena and many people go just for autographs and could care less about the show. This is the reason you have people sitting in chairs between autographs, they have no interest in looking around the show. If there were no autographs guests, they probably would not even go. Many of them at least.

I and others try to hit both parts of the show, but many have no intention of ever doing so.