The first timers.

[tmoore_25]

I'm sure I will not be the only one but myself and my best friend are going to our first National this year. I will be reserving the hotel room today. It will not be right next to the Convention Center but close enough where it won't be a long drive and far enough away where I am not getting gouged on the prices. We will be driving up on the 28th, going to the show the 29th through 31st, and driving back to North Carolina on the Sunday the 1st.

Some questions I have:
What is the parking situation around the convention center? Do they normally have people directing you where to go? I don't mind walking some distance, but I'll go postal if I have to spend hours driving around just finding a spot.

Tickets are $19 per day. Are there food vendors on site (I imagine there would be)? Can you leave an re-enter with a general admission ticket?

I'll be bringing a backpack and comfortable shoes. Any other pointers on what I might need to bring with me?

[smanzari]

Originally Posted by tmoore_25

Some questions I have:
What is the parking situation around the convention center? Do they normally have people directing you where to go? I don't mind walking some distance, but I'll go postal if I have to spend hours driving around just finding a spot.

Tickets are $19 per day. Are there food vendors on site (I imagine there would be)? Can you leave an re-enter with a general admission ticket?

I'll be bringing a backpack and comfortable shoes. Any other pointers on what I might need to bring with me?

There's parking everywhere. I usually park across the street at the Double Tree- its free if you have a room in the cluster of hotels around it, affordable if not.

Yes, there's food but its overpriced and not good. You are allowed to leave and re-enter.

I always make sure I have some boxes in my backpack for singles as well as a water bottle.

[mrb842]

-water, cash, a portable cell phone charger, hand wipes, high fiber/protein snacks, a sub sandwich-the food is overpriced and blech.

-there are several categories of booths and the more research you can do ahead of time to find and target what you are looking for if it's something specific the better you are going to be. It can take you 2-3 hours just to walk the place to start.
-high end goldin auctions type stuff
-signed memorabilia dealers
-high end 5-6k cards
-$1-$20 card boxes dealers
-wax dealers
-vintage card/box dealers
-dime card dealers
-upper deck/panini/fanatics type showrooms
-flea market type booths-old programs, mugs, pennants, sports illustrateds.

[byronscott4ever]

If you search National tips on here, you’ll get a lot of good info...then Google the same (add card show) and see even more

[epatmythes]

Originally Posted by tmoore_25

I'm sure I will not be the only one but myself and my best friend are going to our first National this year. I will be reserving the hotel room today. It will not be right next to the Convention Center but close enough where it won't be a long drive and far enough away where I am not getting gouged on the prices. We will be driving up on the 28th, going to the show the 29th through 31st, and driving back to North Carolina on the Sunday the 1st.

Some questions I have:
What is the parking situation around the convention center? Do they normally have people directing you where to go? I don't mind walking some distance, but I'll go postal if I have to spend hours driving around just finding a spot.

Tickets are $19 per day. Are there food vendors on site (I imagine there would be)? Can you leave an re-enter with a general admission ticket?

I'll be bringing a backpack and comfortable shoes. Any other pointers on what I might need to bring with me?

Parking: Your best, and the most used, option is the parking garage between the Doubletree & Embassy Suites, directly across from the Convention Center main entrance. If you don't mind walking a bit, you could park down at the Blue Line CTA Station, which would be about a 2.5 block walk to the Convention Center. Some of the hotels (yours might be one) offer shuttle service to-from the Convention Center.

Food: They have some food stands inside the Convention Floor, and there is a diner in the Convention Center, adjacent to the show floor. The food is survival/anti-starvation food, at best... it's pretty bad (and pricey). You can re-enter with your admission... so, your best bet is to eat local (but not on-site). There is a Gibson's right across the street (attached to the DoubleTree) and other nice restaurants in walking distance on River Road. Your best dining option though is to exit the convention center, walk straight through the previously mentioned parking garage, and you'll find yourself in the Rosemont Entertainment District... plenty of great dining choices for lunch and/or dinner.

What else to bring: In addition to comfortable shoes, don't forget deodorant and clean underwear. You are about to be amazed by the number of people you come across that, apparently, forgot to do the same! Other than that, come with a plan of attack. Meaning, get an idea of what you're looking for and/or looking to do, and try to stick to that... it can be big and overwhelming for a first timer... enjoy the experience!

[Poidawg]

My LCS gave me a great tip the last National, bring some pre-paid self addressed flat rate Priority Mail boxes with you to easily mail your loot back. Saves a lot of time and money, especially if you're flying or riding the train and don't want to haul around another suitcase. The onsite shipping services at the convention center and adjoining hotel are super expensive and slammed during the show.

[salas1991]

Originally Posted by epatmythes

Your best dining option though is to exit the convention center, walk straight through the previously mentioned parking garage, and you'll find yourself in the Rosemont Entertainment District... plenty of great dining choices for lunch and/or dinner.

Fogo de Chão. Meats brought to your table. 'Nuff said.

[56Horsehide]

Are there places where us old guys can sit and take a break (other than a dealer's table)? I really don't want to carry a camp stool or bag chair.

[Timsterino]

Originally Posted by 56Horsehide

Are there places where us old guys can sit and take a break (other than a dealer's table)? I really don't want to carry a camp stool or bag chair.

There is a lounge if you have a VIP ticket from what I understand.

[jewcer2k5]

Originally Posted by 56Horsehide

Are there places where us old guys can sit and take a break (other than a dealer's table)? I really don't want to carry a camp stool or bag chair.

There are some food tables in the back that are usually available to sit at.

[DajuanWagner]

Make sure you bring some comfy flip flops to wear.........I kidd.......

[DajuanWagner]

Originally Posted by 56Horsehide

Are there places where us old guys can sit and take a break (other than a dealer's table)? I really don't want to carry a camp stool or bag chair.

Yes, there are tables. A lot of guys bring their million dollar douche bag clam shell cases to sell cards out of......

[56Horsehide]

Originally Posted by DajuanWagner

Make sure you bring some comfy flip flops to wear.........I kidd.......

I have been reading the comments on those - don't look for me wearing those.

[TrickyNick]

Originally Posted by epatmythes

Parking: Your best, and the most used, option is the parking garage between the Doubletree & Embassy Suites, directly across from the Convention Center main entrance. If you don't mind walking a bit, you could park down at the Blue Line CTA Station, which would be about a 2.5 block walk to the Convention Center. Some of the hotels (yours might be one) offer shuttle service to-from the Convention Center.

Food: They have some food stands inside the Convention Floor, and there is a diner in the Convention Center, adjacent to the show floor. The food is survival/anti-starvation food, at best... it's pretty bad (and pricey). You can re-enter with your admission... so, your best bet is to eat local (but not on-site). There is a Gibson's right across the street (attached to the DoubleTree) and other nice restaurants in walking distance on River Road. Your best dining option though is to exit the convention center, walk straight through the previously mentioned parking garage, and you'll find yourself in the Rosemont Entertainment District... plenty of great dining choices for lunch and/or dinner.

What else to bring: In addition to comfortable shoes, don't forget deodorant and clean underwear. You are about to be amazed by the number of people you come across that, apparently, forgot to do the same! Other than that, come with a plan of attack. Meaning, get an idea of what you're looking for and/or looking to do, and try to stick to that... it can be big and overwhelming for a first timer... enjoy the experience!

Yikes...

[Chicosbailbonds]

You can lose a lot on the penny slots at nearby Rivers Casino.

[Mrhenrychan]

Originally Posted by Poidawg

My LCS gave me a great tip the last National, bring some pre-paid self addressed flat rate Priority Mail boxes with you to easily mail your loot back. Saves a lot of time and money, especially if you're flying or riding the train and don't want to haul around another suitcase. The onsite shipping services at the convention center and adjoining hotel are super expensive and slammed during the show.

Agreed.

[notoriousrmb]

Don't get suckered into Promo Packs.

Panini especially, but other manufacturers have them. The old "open a box of this and get 4 free packs" is just a way to get you to buy overpriced boxes that have poor content.

Remember, if they are giving you a promo to open something in a market this strong, there is a reason!

[orioles fan]

Hi all, debating making the trip from central PA. The only large shows I’ve been to is the philly show at the casino. Can anyone tell me ballpark table wise, etc how the national compares to the philly show?

[jab72]

Originally Posted by orioles fan

Hi all, debating making the trip from central PA. The only large shows I’ve been to is the philly show at the casino. Can anyone tell me ballpark table wise, etc how the national compares to the philly show?

Easily X5…. The difference between the National and other shows is tables at other shows are 6 or 8 feet …. The National has over 600 10x15 booths thats 25 feet of customer facing space per booth


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[salthill]

Originally Posted by orioles fan

Hi all, debating making the trip from central PA. The only large shows I’ve been to is the philly show at the casino. Can anyone tell me ballpark table wise, etc how the national compares to the philly show?

It’ll take you a couple of hours just to walk around and glance at what each table has. And I mean glance.

[renlow]

so here are some thoughts for your consideration:

1) Backpack is a must - i am also bringing a two wheeler with some crates and two row boxes so i don't have to go back and forth to the car.

2) Food sucks - Bring protein bars or something else to eat.

3) Drinks - I bring my own water. They do sell beer. There is a starbucks and it always seems to have a line and they are not prepared for the number of people

4) Note pad and a pen - i find it impossible to remember where i have seen things so i like to right down aisle and booth number so i know where to go back

5) Shop around as prices can vary from person to person

6) Have cash but many will take credit cards or paypal

7) Good shoes

8) Make sure you shower - you would be surprised

9) I am bringing a collapsible stool this year. Not a lot of chairs in front of dealer tables and if you are going to search boxes it can help save your legs and back...or at least me as i am getting old.

10) You can get some pretty awesome deals this year

11) Big question on what will be available for supplies, and their cost, so i am planning on bringing a lot of my own.

[mrb842]

it takes 2/3 of the day just to scope everything out if you're going for the first time.

[DajuanWagner]

Originally Posted by renlow

so here are some thoughts for your consideration:

1) Backpack is a must - i am also bringing a two wheeler with some crates and two row boxes so i don't have to go back and forth to the car.

2) Food sucks - Bring protein bars or something else to eat.

3) Drinks - I bring my own water. They do sell beer. There is a starbucks and it always seems to have a line and they are not prepared for the number of people

4) Note pad and a pen - i find it impossible to remember where i have seen things so i like to right down aisle and booth number so i know where to go back

5) Shop around as prices can vary from person to person

6) Have cash but many will take credit cards or paypal

7) Good shoes

8) Make sure you shower - you would be surprised

9) I am bringing a collapsible stool this year. Not a lot of chairs in front of dealer tables and if you are going to search boxes it can help save your legs and back...or at least me as i am getting old.

10) You can get some pretty awesome deals this year

11) Big question on what will be available for supplies, and their cost, so i am planning on bringing a lot of my own.

If dealers are going to be selling at 150% of ebay prices, how is that awesome???

[notoriousrmb]

Originally Posted by DajuanWagner

If dealers are going to be selling at 150% of ebay prices, how is that awesome???

Agreed - I do not think there will be deals to be had. Most sellers are still in the 2020 "everything is worth more than we think it is" mindset.

Look to see a LOT of overpriced PSA slabs.

IF there are deals, it will be on raw cards and mid/low level stuff.

Honestly I think the 2022 National will have the deals when the hoarders of the last 18 months need to panic sell.

[SupermanBrandon]

Im thinking the weekend crowd might find a few deals. There's going to some dealers that need to make their nut on their trip, expenses, "what they promised their wives they would sell", etc. There's going to be ALOT of overpriced cards for the first few days. I just have this feeling that some guys are going to look to cash in (even at a lose), late in the week. Reality will set in, eventually.