Any Buzz on 2027 Location?

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

I tried to avoid it. I thought about getting a Larkin auto on Saturday, but changed my mind. It's just not that appealing to me personally. When I was over in that area of the show, it looks like a sea of people. No idea how the lines moved or anything, but it was definitely crowded over there.



I know you joke, and it sounds crazy (I thought so myself when we decided to do it), but my wife specifically said she had a better time in Cleveland than we did in Chicago last year (and we had a blast in Chicago). I was concerned we wouldn't have enough to do to fill the 10 days, but by the end, we filled all our time with great activities, and still had several things we would like to have done, but didn't have time. Cleveland might not be a popular tourist destination (although Cedar Point is an hour away and probably the top thrill ride destination on the planet), but for us, who had never spent any appreciable time in Cleveland, there was a TON to do.

There has always been a ton to do in Cleveland (and within a short driving distance like Sandusky, Canton, and Port Clinton… not telling people to drive to Columbus) if you put forth even one ounce of effort doing research

There isn’t a lot to do by the airport

Cleveland has a ridiculous amount of things to do

[oldgoldy97]

I saw an ad for Nebraska that they like to ride down their river (I assume they only have one) in animal feed troughs or something.

So people find the most ridiculous ways to “do stuff.”

[Pacmeyer]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

Guess what, going through tons of boxes of cards or showcases with overpriced cards isn't appealing to me. The reasons I and many of my friends attend the show year after year are for the autograph guests and to purchase memorabilia. Can't forget about the Topps Q&A too.

This is what you get when there are so many veteran dealers who simply show up knowing they can come back year after year without problem. Be happy if you didn’t buy anything from them. Who knows if they even washed those old bedsheets a lot of them use as tarps.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

So, then you can see how those people who go to the National to get autographs, may not have thought it was great and that the below comment by you may be skewed to a different reason for going to the show?



Guess what, going through tons of boxes of cards or showcases with overpriced cards isn't appealing to me. The reasons I and many of my friends attend the show year after year are for the autograph guests and to purchase memorabilia. Can't forget about the Topps Q&A too.

A lot of us who attend specifically for autographs continue not to have a good time thanks to TriStar. VIP/Platinum guests are recycled year after year, no more free inscriptions for VIP guests, 5000 VIP passes sold making lines impossible to get through, cost of autograph guests compared to other shows, changing the Platinum Pass where you don't know which guest you are getting until you get to the show and receive your package, and the constant turn over of inexperienced staff are just a number of reasons why the National is no longer fun for me. I will say that this is the 1st year TriStar did not have credit card issues with their machines on Wednesday night, so they actually fixed one thing while continuing to go down hill on everything else.

I appologize for my statement not including your experience. I almost didn't say that last sentence, because obviously some people don't attend the National as a card show. If your entire purpose is for the autographs, I absolutely understand how you may not have enjoyed the show.

But to be fair, I was responding to a comment that said they show was awesome. My comments were directed at those who attended for the card show, not contemplating those who were there for other reasons.

[BostonNut]

Ohio is pretty much the adult Disneyworld of the country.

That’s what I’ve learned from this.

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by BostonNut

Ohio is pretty much the adult Disneyworld of the country.

That’s what I’ve learned from this.

Disneyland France maybe.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by BostonNut

Ohio is pretty much the adult Disneyworld of the country.

That’s what I’ve learned from this.

Everywhere is Disneyworld if you put forth effort

One of the best trips I’ve ever been on? French Lick, Indiana

It was awesome… because I’m not lazy and found the stuff to do outside of just the large resort and casino

Pick a state and don’t be lazy. It’s not hard to have fun

[Grid]

Originally Posted by nosignofland

It sure seems as if the promoters' priority is cost, followed by location.

That's my opinion. Here are the facts:

Based on the NSCC's most recent IRS filings (receipts), it appears the nonprofit paid about $480K for the 2023 convention space. (I assume the $480K charge for "Occupancy" is the convention.) Even if Rosemont told 'em they just had to pay for five days and to forget extra time for setup/takedown, that'd still be the cheapest rate -- by far -- of any of the nation's larger convention centers ... and that's based on prices from 2016 (receipts). Five days for 600K of space in Vegas this year would cost about $1.1 million.

It seems as if the NSCC would be hard-pressed to spend much more on a convention center because the nonprofit since 1996 is somehow losing money. It made $1.9M off tickets last year and $2.2M off booths ... but spent $3.4M on salaries and wages, with no officers/trustees receiving any reported money and no employee reporting more than $150K. (The nonprofit reported a loss of $1,100 last year and $3,700 the year before.)

I'm not one for conspiracy theories -- I acknowledge there's simply a lot I don't understand -- but I do wonder how NSCC's expenses add up. I'm guessing it likely just has something to do with a change in accounting practices. But I find it interesting NSCC reported, in 2023, a "Trade Show Expense" of $180K and $3.4M in salaries and wages. And in 2022, NSCC reported salaries and wages of $0 and a "Trade Show Expense" of $3.2M. Curious if others in the industry can speak as to whether that kind of expense is unusual, since it's also more than 6x the "Occupancy" rate.

If you run a business that takes in millions of dollars a year. And you still post a profit for the Feds when taxes are due. You need to hire a better accountant.

Only suckers pay taxes in this country.

-$1,000-$3,000 is nominal. And that shows they know what they are doing, to fly under the radar. They could post more I am sure, just depends on how they want to show their books. But then any extraordinary losses would draw more interest from the government.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Grid

If you run a business that takes in millions of dollars a year. And you still post a profit for the Feds when taxes are due. You need to hire a better accountant.

Only suckers pay taxes in this country.

-$1,000-$3,000 is nominal. And that shows they know what they are doing, to fly under the radar. They could post more I am sure, just depends on how they want to show their books. But then any extraordinary losses would draw more interest from the government.

So are behemoths like Apple, Amazon, and Google suckers?

There’s only so much legal massaging of the books you can do.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by asujbl

Everywhere is Disneyworld if you put forth effort

If your expectations are low enough, absolutely. This is like claiming McDonald’s is a Michelin star restaurant because you really like their fries.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

If your expectations are low enough, absolutely. This is like claiming McDonald’s is a Michelin star restaurant because you really like their fries.

This is a legit asinine response. I usually like your posts more than most

This is stupid

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by asujbl

This is a legit asinine response. I usually like your posts more than most

This is stupid

Let me guess. You buy all your clothes at Kohl’s too?

Claiming every city is one size fits all is asinine.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by Grid

Only suckers pay taxes in this country.

Nonsense....if you believe in the existence of government, paying your fair share of taxes is your patriotic duty.

Would I prefer that hard-working individuals pay less and that millionaires and corporations pay more? Of course.

Would I prefer that the government doesn't waste as much of my tax dollars as it does? Of course.

Do I try to minimize the amount of tax that I legally owe? Of course.

But like most people in this country, I do still pay what I legally owe....and neither I nor everyone who does so are suckers....

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by mfw13

Nonsense....if you believe in the existence of government, paying your fair share of taxes is your patriotic duty.

Would I prefer that hard-working individuals pay less and that millionaires and corporations pay more? Of course.

Would I prefer that the government doesn't waste as much of my tax dollars as it does? Of course.

Do I try to minimize the amount of tax that I legally owe? Of course.

But like most people in this country, I do still pay what I legally owe....and neither I nor everyone who does so are suckers....

The unfortunate thing is a much higher % of millionaires/corporations know the tax law/loopholes compared to the average citizen so while the rich are technically taxed at a higher rate, they know best how to play the game of tax avoidance.

[BostonNut]

Originally Posted by asujbl

Everywhere is Disneyworld if you put forth effort

One of the best trips I’ve ever been on? French Lick, Indiana

It was awesome… because I’m not lazy and found the stuff to do outside of just the large resort and casino

Pick a state and don’t be lazy. It’s not hard to have fun

You've been to five places in your life.

Your opinion means jack.

Deal with it. Cleveland sucks.

[Grid]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

So are behemoths like Apple, Amazon, and Google suckers?

There’s only so much legal massaging of the books you can do.

Nope! They know whats up. Google was paying 53.4% in corporate taxes at one time. Then got that down to 12%. And still shifted $23 billion to tax haven Bermuda the following year.

I also said a business with millions in sales. Not multi-billions. When you are that big, its hard to hide everything. But they still try!

[Grid]

Originally Posted by mfw13

Nonsense....if you believe in the existence of government, paying your fair share of taxes is your patriotic duty.

Would I prefer that hard-working individuals pay less and that millionaires and corporations pay more? Of course.

Would I prefer that the government doesn't waste as much of my tax dollars as it does? Of course.

Do I try to minimize the amount of tax that I legally owe? Of course.

But like most people in this country, I do still pay what I legally owe....and neither I nor everyone who does so are suckers....

I love the way you state you try and pay as little as you are legally bound to. And then go on to preach about Patriotic duties and fair shares.

There is no fair share. Don't preach to me. There are reasons why loopholes and alowments exist. Whats fair? The top 1 percent of taxpayers paid a 25.9 percent average rate, nearly eight times higher than the 3.3 percent average rate paid by the bottom half of taxpayers.

Take more, because they have more is fair? Just because someone made more, doesn't mean they get more directly from all the extra taxes they had to pay. It just means they had to give up more money then others. Patriots?

[Bigjigglies]

I wonder how much farther off track this thread can go!

[notfast]

Originally Posted by mfw13

Nonsense....if you believe in the existence of government, paying your fair share of taxes is your patriotic duty.

LOL

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by BostonNut

You've been to five places in your life.

Your opinion means jack.

Deal with it. Cleveland sucks.

I have? That’s wild stuff

I have posted that I am fine only going to 5 places for the rest of my life. So you’re 50% correct

I’ve been to more than 5 places in the last 6 weeks that aren’t on that list

At least get your insult right

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by Bigjigglies

I wonder how much farther off track this thread can go!

Much more and Tritty will get out his camera!

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by asujbl

I have? That’s wild stuff

I have posted that I am fine only going to 5 places for the rest of my life. So you’re 50% correct

I’ve been to more than 5 places in the last 6 weeks that aren’t on that list

At least get your insult right

Cleveland or Cincinnati?

Choose one.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

Cleveland or Cincinnati?

Choose one.

Cleveland

I don’t know what I’m choosing it for though

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by asujbl

Cleveland

I don’t know what I’m choosing it for though

Which one is better.

I think I remember Cincinnati smelling bad but that could have been Milwaukee.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

Which one is better.

I think I remember Cincinnati smelling bad but that could have been Milwaukee.

You're probably thinking of Gary, Indiana and it's famous cat litter smell.