Fanatics Fan Fest coming in August

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by tonedef2oo8

I went yesterday. It was completely unorganized. I was able to walk in with no ticket (was going to buy when at the door). When I made it to security they check my bag and that was it I was let in. I laughed it off as luck. Then while in the autograph area It was insane we debated leaving, I was standing thinking if we should stay next thing I know I’m pushed to Brunson from the Knick’s table and he signs a picture and I’m pushed away. Take note I did not purchase a Brunson ticket and shortly after he signed for us he literally stood up said he felt unsafe and left.

What a mess I’d be pissed if I paid for tickets and people who paid nothing was able to get in for free and get free signatures.

So kids $30, adults free

[2010GBPackers]

Whoa, a lot to digest here.

As you can see from my previous National posts through the years, I have been constructively critical of the folks who run the National and what they could/should/need to improve upon. HOWEVER, those claiming Fanatics Fan Fest will "take it over" or "if they wanted to, they could take it over" have no understanding that 90% of America and 90% of the folks who participate as a card hobbyist are priced out of an NYC Fan Fest, which is not a judgment, it's just what it is.

The majority of people who attend the National are -

a) on a budget
b) stay at a $100/night hotel
c) attend the National to buy/sell/trade sportscards
d) don't care that Gronk is walking the show
e) aren't attending to get "content" for their IG feed

Fanatics' Fan Fest looks 100% awesome, but it's geared to the sports market, which is writ large, not specifically sportscard hobbyists, which is what the National is 100% organized for. And someone mentioned above that Fanatics could start siphoning off D & A and Steel City and the breakers, etc. Oh my God, I wish! That would create even more floor space for additional dealers. I say that in jest because these folks are necessary for the hobby, but I (and most others) go to the National for the cards, everything else is just a distraction. NYC Fan Fest is for those who want that "distraction" with sportscards being a throw-in to the experience.

TLDR - both the National and Fanatics Fan Fest have a spot in this space and both can thrive in their own way.

[SethMurphy]

I will say.... if given the choice right now. I'd take my kids to FF over the National.

If going alone, I'd enjoy the National, looking through unique cards and meeting people I've dealt with in the hobby. But my 10 & 13 year old sons would hate it. But interactive events and celebrities would keep their attention more.

We went All-Star Fan Fest in Cleveland a few years ago and they loved all the hands on things to check out. Two different audiences, two different demographics that just so happen to overlap a bit.

[tonedef2oo8]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

So kids $30, adults free

My buddy who showed up later said there were people with fanatics shirts giving passes out down the block so perhaps me getting in for free may not have been as much luck as I assumed. I think they needed more bodies inside and perhaps just opened the gates unofficially.

The guy I went with while leaving gave his Brunson sig to a kid and his mom who are freaking out cause they waited hours in a line that the fanatics staff forgot they even made. There are going to be lots of refunds and chargebacks as I seen and heard of at least 100 people who got stiffed on something.

Also did anyone see the 500 vip bag yet? It got 5 packs of junk 1 pack of heritage a Temu lanyard and not much else. If there was a vip line we didn’t see any inside at all. I have a feeling a press release is in our near future saying things like “this was a learned experience “ and “with growth comes unforeseen obstacles”

[ddearing]

I just watched a couple videos to get a feel for it. I set up with multiple booths at the national every year, but decided to take a little break and not do this one.

From a dealer perspective, a few things I noticed in the videos:
- it looks like you were not allowed to bring your own showcases. Everyone is using the exact same style of plexiglass, stackable showcases which I have not seen before. Interesting.
- Almost all dealers have customized table cloths with printed signage on the front of them. They look really good and professional. I am wondering if Fanatics let you order those from them ahead of time. I did not see that kind of uniformity at the National.
- The vids I saw didn't look very crowded in the card area, but that may have just been a result of when they took the video. I assume today will be crowded.

[Giroux]

Originally Posted by SethMurphy

I will say.... if given the choice right now. I'd take my kids to FF over the National.

If going alone, I'd enjoy the National, looking through unique cards and meeting people I've dealt with in the hobby. But my 10 & 13 year old sons would hate it. But interactive events and celebrities would keep their attention more.

This sounds right to me. Seems like a great experience for kids but I personally have very little interest in the extra fanfare.

[tonedef2oo8]

Originally Posted by Chris P

Aren't all autograph pricing at shows and signings overpriced?

Yes and it’s sold to the fans as “we hate eBay’ers and how much they charge my fans” as they charge more than eBay in some cases. And let me pull back the curtain for some, they work out bulk deals with some of these “ebay’ers” they hate giving them prices less than they charge their fans they love soooooo much.

[ohio_mba]

There's not a more clear indicator of who the Fanatics Fest is speaking to than when you search for recent videos and it's IShowSpeed all over the place.

It's for the kids. Period

[cj828282]

It has probably been announced already but how much are the Cactus Jack boxes? Some of the prices on ebay are comical.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by ohio_mba

There's not a more clear indicator of who the Fanatics Fest is speaking to than when you search for recent videos and it's IShowSpeed all over the place.

It's for the kids. Period

The kids who run trade nights at the National.

[speedyjg13]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

I’m at the Walter E Washington convention center all the time

It has 703,000 sq ft of exhibition space

Javits has 850,000 sq ft of exhibition space

Anaheim convention center = over 1 million sq ft of exhibition space

LA convention center = 720,000 sq ft of exhibition space

San Diego convention center 615,000 sq ft of exhibition space

Bring it west next year

[tonedef2oo8]

Just a note to the person quoting the size of javitz. They only used a small portion of the floor space. Nycc uses 100%, my estimate is this used 10-20% of the space.

[tonedef2oo8]

Originally Posted by ohio_mba

There's not a more clear indicator of who the Fanatics Fest is speaking to than when you search for recent videos and it's IShowSpeed all over the place.

It's for the kids. Period

Kids want to sit and watch Jeter talk to Ortiz?
Kids want starting at $200 autographs from hulk hogan?

They can do all that online. The interactive stuff was cool however it was nonsense to fill unsold space and most was semi filled with children and pissed off parents feeling ripped off.

[theshowandme]

Originally Posted by speedyjg13

Anaheim convention center = over 1 million sq ft of exhibition space

LA convention center = 720,000 sq ft of exhibition space

San Diego convention center 615,000 sq ft of exhibition space

Bring it west next year

I’d go to a National at all three locations

I’m in San Diego each year for a conference and it’s hands down one of the best cities as a whole.

So much to do there

[Cracktoast]

People bashing the slow or empty card show space as a fail for FFF crack me up. It was said from the very beginning that the card show space would be minimal compared to all the interactive and autograph stuff because IT'S NOT A CARD SHOW. Yes we all knew there would be hiccups it's the first year you can't expect perfection. I mean hell The National has been around what 44 years and they still can't figure out Air Conditioning, Traffic, or Internet. None of which have I heard one person complain about at Fan Fest even with the amount of people attending. For those complaining about long lines and auto prices card shows all around the U.S. have been doing signings since the 80's and they are always like that unless you have piss poor signers which Fanatics surely has the best of the best so lines and prices from what I've seen are inline and who goes to something like this to get a $5 RC card signed anyway ? You are going with footballs, helmets, jerseys etc....

Everything I've seen it looks like a great experience that is only going to grow and get bigger. Rubin said they will never make a profit from one of these events so go ahead and bunch up those panties boys because they are going to make that money up somewhere and sealed wax will be a huge part of it meaning you will see price increases year over year for the foreseeable future.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by Cracktoast

IT'S NOT A CARD SHOW.

Truer words have not been spoken. Thus making the point that this not only won't affect the National, but isn't designed to.

[hammerva]

Originally Posted by ohio_mba

There's not a more clear indicator of who the Fanatics Fest is speaking to than when you search for recent videos and it's IShowSpeed all over the place.

It's for the kids. Period

More importantly kids with money. Or kids with parents that have money.

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by Cracktoast

IT'S NOT A CARD SHOW

A) Who bashed FFF for having a slow or empty card show space? I must have missed those posts.

B) The bolded about sums it up, which is why this is no threat to the National.

[mrb842]

Jameel from Meelypops on his ig story the other day who is there mentioned there were some issues thursday/friday. Not sure what he was talking about.

From the outside it looks like a lot of the dealers are younger-20s 30s 40s, with a number who could not get tables at the national which is interesting.

I also don't understand how all these athletes and leagues are there. Is Rubin paying Brady, Gronk and all these guys to be there? What is in this for the NFL?

Also I wonder how some of Rubins competitors respond to this if at all. It's clear the national needs to add more space to accomodate more dealers.

[mikejones]

Originally Posted by mrb842

Jameel from Meelypops on his ig story the other day who is there mentioned there were some issues thursday/friday. Not sure what he was talking about.

From the outside it looks like a lot of the dealers are younger-20s 30s 40s, with a number who could not get tables at the national which is interesting.

I also don't understand how all these athletes and leagues are there. Is Rubin paying Brady, Gronk and all these guys to be there? What is in this for the NFL?

Also I wonder how some of Rubins competitors respond to this if at all. It's clear the national needs to add more space to accomodate more dealers.

The Nationals is in the business of making money and making money for their dealers. Adding more tables just adds more competition. Adding more space adds more costs. They won't change much and personally, they don't have too. Most people go to the Nationals to BST, not to get content for their social media. Let FFF do that.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

So kids $30, adults free

HAHAHA

[solt0131]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

After watching this youtube it looks to me like it's an overgrown Dave & Busters with a touch of carnival for a different kind of kid. I can guarantee none of these clowns are collecting harder than me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsXTJfMqoL8

They are not there to collect.

[Giroux]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

So kids $30, adults free

Women get in free. Improve the ratio

[Bcr]

My initial impression is that it's basically a comicon for sports. You are there for the announcements, celebrity meet and greets and memorabilia.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by Bcr

My initial impression is that it's basically a comicon for sports. You are there for the announcements, celebrity meet and greets and memorabilia.

Precisely. Not everyone who goes to Comic-Con collects comics and not everyone who goes to fanatics fest collects cards.

Most everyone who goes to the national collects cards.

It’s typical BO that people are arguing about two completely different things.

I’m starting to think people just come here to let off steam like a fight club, lol.