Get the NSCC out of the Donald J. Stephens Convention Center. Please.

[fulltritty]

I have friends, who for years, bring a folding chair and set them up in a circle together off to the side of the autograph pavilion. Then whoever needs to get off their feet for a while can sit while they go in and get their VIP autographs.

[epatmythes]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

No doubt, a CC needs to have the 4 attributes you mentioned, but outside of the XI Center the NSCC used to use, most, if not all major CC's hit those 4. It looks like you you agree with me since you didn't mention any qualities of the actual Stephens CC, not the attributes around it. I'm so sorry that it would be nice for patrons to have a seat from time to time. I guess my expectations are just through the roof! Most of those CC's you mentioned are miles better and you know that, though a few aren't big enough; you can add Indianapolis and Milwaukee to that list too.

I'm not sure why you get so worked up when I post something. Are you really still that mad about Rodgers? Jeez.

Again, it's a Convention Center... you can keep harping on the fact that people aren't giving you a list of the qualities of the actual Stephens CC... so, do tell us, what exactly are you expecting people to list???

I repeat, it's a Convention Center. It's not a Hotel. It's not a Mall. It's not an entertainment center. It IS a Convention Center!

The restrooms were fine. The roof wasn't leaking. I already mentioned they carpeted the main lobby. They have a Starbucks. They have a cafeteria (hint, hint, you could sit down there). They had a VIP lounge, if you paid for VIP, where you could sit down and relax. The escalator between floors is a nice touch. They don't have homeless sleeping in front of the building and/or begging for change. The doors all seemed to work. They have skywalks connecting to several hotels. They had good police presence on site. They have ATMs. They have a nice water fountain out front where plenty of people could find seating around it to relax and get off their feet. Electricity seemed to be working at all times.

Sorry they didn't have a shoe shine stand in the lobby?

Start posting useful banter/content and I (and probably others) would be less inclined to respond less-than-positive in your general direction... but sorry, you're a soft target... just a dude with 2000+ posts spanning little more than whining and rebuttals to anyone that doesn't agree with you and/or bow to your self-perceived intelligence. Simply put, you're annoying, so I guess it's just fun to poke the bear a little when I'm bored!

[messier2]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

I have friends, who for years, bring a folding chair and set them up in a circle together off to the side of the autograph pavilion. Then whoever needs to get off their feet for a while can sit while they go in and get their VIP autographs.

I saw them last week!

[notoriousrmb]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

Couldnt disagree more! lol

everyone was told to bring your own food & water. Prices for those items at the show were too high, just like they are everywhere else "Event" related.

Nothing beats the DJSC! Gibsons is right across the street!

Agreed.

Love the venue, love the location, wish it went here EVERY year!

If you are worried about food prices, you must never go to concerts, sporting events...or anywhere out in public in general. I've been going to Chicago shows since 2013 (not just the NSCC but other conventions at the Donald) and never once bought food from the show floor.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by messier2

I saw them last week!

Then, you probably saw me as the show was so crowded, I spent a lot more time sitting there chatting than on the show floor.

[PoPCulture]

Keep it in Chicago but by all means move it to McCormick Place. I went to a Convention there a couple years ago. There was so much more to do in that area since it’s closer to the City. It’s newer, larger, cleaner and has a few large hotels connected. Very easy to get to without a car as well.

[messier2]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

Then, you probably saw me as the show was so crowded, I spent a lot more time sitting there chatting than on the show floor.

Yup, you guys were definitely a presence at the autograph area!

[mnvikingstwins]

There was cheap food at the outlet mall like a ten minute walk away

[Dallas Cowboys]

I've never been to the National but would love to go sometime. The irony is when I lived in Chicago from 2004-2005 I wasn't into cards.
My biggest complaint would be they need to have it in Dallas every now and then. That is a 1 hour flight from my home or a 6 hour drive. Plus I have friends and family I could stay with down there to cut some costs. Would they lose some East Coast dealers? Maybe. Would they have trouble selling tables? I doubt it. Look how well the normal Dallas card shows are doing.
As far as food and drinks at any kind of event center or convention center or concert center I usually eat beforehand. I know going in the food and beverages will be overpriced and limited selections. That should be pretty common knowledge.

[Cards and 401K]

Yes, schedule the Nationals at the new Texas Ranger enclosed stadium in 2025...

[Foo3112]

This thread is just another version of:

Why do you think so many people are not excited about the Nationals???

[RAV2773]

I dont think this thread is going the way OP was hoping for

[Timsterino]

I have no complaints about the Donald Stephens Convention Center or Chicago. However, it would be nice to have one of these in the South and not always in the North. Orlando would be a perfect location for this convention.

[notfast]

Serious question: where is the restaurant/cafeteria in the convention center?

[epatmythes]

Originally Posted by Foo3112

This thread is just another version of:

Why do you think so many people are not excited about the Nationals???

YUP

[AwesomeBrian]

Originally Posted by Foo3112

This thread is just another version of:

Why do you think so many people are not excited about the Nationals???

Because they traded all their good players away!

[epatmythes]

Originally Posted by notfast

Serious question: where is the restaurant/cafeteria in the convention center?

Hallway, at the back of the show floor, along the wall that lines the street between the Convention Center and the Hyatt.

On the National Floor Plan, it is between booths 323 and 325.

[imbluestreak23]

They should have the show in Phoenix. Would be awesome!

[JoeAdam]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

Let me begin by saying, I loved being back at the National. There is nothing like having that many collectors and cool cards all in one space over multiple days. Plus, it's always great to see some folks who I only see yearly but are great, great people.

Onto my rant:

I implore the NCSS Board to look into other options besides the dumpster they choose to hold their National every other year. Why?

The Donald J. Stephens Convention Center has not upgraded ANYTHING since approx. 1995. Here are my complaints:

1) The space is dark and dank, and at this point not big enough anymore.
2) The AC doesn't work if it's over 80 degrees.
3) There are literally 4 tables to eat at if you choose to get food. Inexcusable.
4) Hungry? Hot dogs, pizza, pretzels - that's the list. Oh, and they're $10.
5) Thirsty? Water, soda, and 3 beer choices. All of which were trash. No one drinks Blue Moon or Summer Shandy any more. Even MLB ballparks understand this.
6) If you were thirsty or hungry, you were about to spend 20-40 minutes in line, then have to sit on a dirty concrete floor to eat. Literally.

I could keep going, but I'll stop there. Please add on to my list if you like. And by all means if you enjoy the DJS Center, please feel free to add your retort.

There are people putting on much better shows since COVID started. IMO, the NCSS Board needs to pivot before the new generation swoops in and starts challenging them for THE show of the year. They're pretty old-school so they may not care, but THIS type of environment for a card show in 2021 ain't going to cut it much longer. Too many sharks smell blood in the water.

My favorite drink is half blue moon half summer shandy...so

[notfast]

Originally Posted by epatmythes

Hallway, at the back of the show floor, along the wall that lines the street between the Convention Center and the Hyatt.

On the National Floor Plan, it is between booths 323 and 325.

This is my second show there and I had no idea. We did eat poke bowls from the lobby which weren’t the worst.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by PoPCulture

Keep it in Chicago but by all means move it to McCormick Place. I went to a Convention there a couple years ago. There was so much more to do in that area since it’s closer to the City. It’s newer, larger, cleaner and has a few large hotels connected. Very easy to get to without a car as well.

I've been to work conventions in downtown Chicago. Rosemont is much preferred. It was a nightmare driving down there. I can only imagine what it would be like for the companies with rental trucks. And I took the L to a White Sox game and got off a stop or two prior to where I needed to on the way back and it was a very sketchy part of town. Walked over two blocks and was back in a better neighborhood.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by renlow

Nicer and better places would drive up the cost to dealers and we all know most are cheap.

This is the problem in a nutshell....the fact that the NSCC is run by dealers who always put their own interests first.

That's why it's always in the same three places (Chicago/Cleveland/Atlantic City), instead of rotating around the different parts of the country.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by mfw13

This is the problem in a nutshell....the fact that the NSCC is run by dealers who always put their own interests first.

That's why it's always in the same three places (Chicago/Cleveland/Atlantic City), instead of rotating around the different parts of the country.

To continue beating the dead horse year after year, the largest hobby shops like BO, Dave & Adams, Steel City, etc. are all located in the East Coast to Chicago and are not going to pack up as much inventory as they usually take and drive them to the West Coast. It is just not cost effective (especially the way gas prices are now) unless you want box prices to be even more expensive than they already are.

[Dolphinsfan1127]

As someone whose lifelong dream is to be able to go to the nationals, (hopefully I can get to AC in 2022), you won't hear me complaining about how expensive the food is. Think of it like a stadium, overpriced food and drinks, and you're here for a purpose, to trade cards at DJSCC. It's not the end of the world when you have to pay for overpriced food, and if you don't like that, then bring your own stuff.
Also, bring a portable seat, make your own solutions to the problems you have. Complaining on an online forum will get you nowhere.

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by mfw13

This is the problem in a nutshell....the fact that the NSCC is run by dealers who always put their own interests first.

That's why it's always in the same three places (Chicago/Cleveland/Atlantic City), instead of rotating around the different parts of the country.

And that's exactly how it should be. They pay thousands for a booth, hotel accommodations (for their entire staff), travel expenses, promotional items/giveaways, etc. This is the one time where you can totally justify making it easier on the several large east coast vendors who really make the National the success that it is.