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messier2 · 08-18-2024, 06:41 PM

Wow, what a weekend! I'm feeling the same tired-excitement-high that I felt when the National was over! A lot of thinking back at the weekend, the deals I made, the people I met, the cool cards I saw/bought, the atmosphere at the Javits, etc.

To sum up the experience in one word: Energizing!

Yes, my feet hurt, I'm dead tired, I've been eating so unhealthy, it's not even funny! But, all worth it at the end. Whether you like Rubin/Fanatics or not, I don't really care. The amount of new hobby people walking around was amazing to see. As I was at a dealer, I could hear the questions being asked "oh wow, a Pete Alonso jersey card! Is this from a jersey he wore in a game?". BTW, he bought the card for $5 and who knows, he may want a Lindor jersey, or a Nimmo jersey...and that starts it all!

The show wasn't perfect at all. It had some short-comings and things it can improve. So, here are my points...the good and the bad.

Let's start with the bad:

* The "Autographing Zone" (never seen that used before) was a mess. It was very poor crowd control. They had temps, rather than security people doing the job and it was not organized at all. I heard a story that people rushed Jalen Brunson's table so much that he stood up and left because he felt un-safe! Next year, they must allocate a longer lineup with actual security people working (so they can easily spot gate crashers, people wanting to sneak in, etc.) and know how to handle them.

* The way to enter the place was terrible! Basically, the VIPs go in the main door and the regular people like me go in the basement and come up. The Javits is big enough that everyone could go in the one main door and just split people up. VIP's to the left; regular people to the right. Sounds simple enough.

* The lack of chairs! That was the one thing Cleveland won at, the chairs! I could not find any chair at all during the event (other than at the stages)! I had to settle for a nice comfortable cement floor. Please, we need chairs along the perimeter!

* The players/celebrities were being mobbed. If I were the celebrity, I would be pissed that they didn't have a dedicated "path" for me to cross without having to go through the crowd and basically causing pandemonium! I would complain for sure!

Ok, now for the good:

* The show floor was very spacious! This is a big deal for me as I hate when it's tight and everyone is on top of each other! Just passing the aisles is tough when you have two giants with 50 lb. backpacks blocking the way. I'm all for high ceiling and larger aisles.

* The WWE fans! I know how popular WWE is, but not the amount of "fandom" each of their top wrestler has is amazing to see! Their entrance feature was the top attraction of the Fanatics Fest in my opinion! That is so cool to the ultimate level...and I'm not even a wrestling fan!

* They made the show for every sports fan! I love that no matter what sport you are a fan of, you are represented with different activations from each of the major leagues, free play for the kids, etc. If you are a sports fan and did not enjoy the activities section, then what can I say!

* The new sports card collector. Walking the show floor all 3 days, I see people that are not the typical "people" I see at shows. Wide-eyed at everything in showcases, kids, adults, mom's, etc. all looking at amazement at the autographs, the prices of certain cards, the autographs of their heroes that are worth $$$$, etc. Good to see potential new collectors after the show!

Well, I wrote a lot as you can see. I have more thoughts, but will save that for another time.

Thank you guys for the read for the last few days! I appreciate it!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the best giveaway I got all weekend was two branded jewelers loupe's from PSA! It had a light so you can open and see the cards more closely! Got 2 and I love it!

08-18-2024, 06:41 PM	#1
messier2 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 15,298	My Fanatics Fest Weekend Recap! Wow, what a weekend! I'm feeling the same tired-excitement-high that I felt when the National was over! A lot of thinking back at the weekend, the deals I made, the people I met, the cool cards I saw/bought, the atmosphere at the Javits, etc. To sum up the experience in one word: Energizing! Yes, my feet hurt, I'm dead tired, I've been eating so unhealthy, it's not even funny! But, all worth it at the end. Whether you like Rubin/Fanatics or not, I don't really care. The amount of new hobby people walking around was amazing to see. As I was at a dealer, I could hear the questions being asked "oh wow, a Pete Alonso jersey card! Is this from a jersey he wore in a game?". BTW, he bought the card for $5 and who knows, he may want a Lindor jersey, or a Nimmo jersey...and that starts it all! The show wasn't perfect at all. It had some short-comings and things it can improve. So, here are my points...the good and the bad. Let's start with the bad: * The "Autographing Zone" (never seen that used before) was a mess. It was very poor crowd control. They had temps, rather than security people doing the job and it was not organized at all. I heard a story that people rushed Jalen Brunson's table so much that he stood up and left because he felt un-safe! Next year, they must allocate a longer lineup with actual security people working (so they can easily spot gate crashers, people wanting to sneak in, etc.) and know how to handle them. * The way to enter the place was terrible! Basically, the VIPs go in the main door and the regular people like me go in the basement and come up. The Javits is big enough that everyone could go in the one main door and just split people up. VIP's to the left; regular people to the right. Sounds simple enough. * The lack of chairs! That was the one thing Cleveland won at, the chairs! I could not find any chair at all during the event (other than at the stages)! I had to settle for a nice comfortable cement floor. Please, we need chairs along the perimeter! * The players/celebrities were being mobbed. If I were the celebrity, I would be pissed that they didn't have a dedicated "path" for me to cross without having to go through the crowd and basically causing pandemonium! I would complain for sure! Ok, now for the good: * The show floor was very spacious! This is a big deal for me as I hate when it's tight and everyone is on top of each other! Just passing the aisles is tough when you have two giants with 50 lb. backpacks blocking the way. I'm all for high ceiling and larger aisles. * The WWE fans! I know how popular WWE is, but not the amount of "fandom" each of their top wrestler has is amazing to see! Their entrance feature was the top attraction of the Fanatics Fest in my opinion! That is so cool to the ultimate level...and I'm not even a wrestling fan! * They made the show for every sports fan! I love that no matter what sport you are a fan of, you are represented with different activations from each of the major leagues, free play for the kids, etc. If you are a sports fan and did not enjoy the activities section, then what can I say! * The new sports card collector. Walking the show floor all 3 days, I see people that are not the typical "people" I see at shows. Wide-eyed at everything in showcases, kids, adults, mom's, etc. all looking at amazement at the autographs, the prices of certain cards, the autographs of their heroes that are worth $$$$, etc. Good to see potential new collectors after the show! Well, I wrote a lot as you can see. I have more thoughts, but will save that for another time. Thank you guys for the read for the last few days! I appreciate it! Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the best giveaway I got all weekend was two branded jewelers loupe's from PSA! It had a light so you can open and see the cards more closely! Got 2 and I love it! Last edited by messier2; 08-18-2024 at 06:56 PM.