The 34th National Convention - Blowout Cards Forum Member Thread!

[Gmrson]

Originally Posted by Truemountaineer

I think the people who kept the thread (this one) alive should win something lol jk jk or maybe lol. Congrats winners

I felt like a winner with an awesome National, meeting some of the members on here and taking part in several BO drawings with great prizes (still fun even though I didn't win!).

[peterose4hof]

Originally Posted by Truemountaineer

I think the people who kept the thread (this one) alive should win something lol jk jk or maybe lol. Congrats winners

Agreed! Thanks to all those I worked out deals with or got the chance to chat with. I'm already looking forward to next year! Although I must admit, I'm a little skeptical that Cleveland can live up to Chicago/Rosemont.

[bd3d86]

I just wanted to say thanks to Blowout for the $25 gift certificate!! THANKS!!

[Dacubs]

Nuts...forgot to drop off my raffle ticket

[Gmrson]

Originally Posted by bd3d86

I just wanted to say thanks to Blowout for the $25 gift certificate!! THANKS!!

Congrats! It was nice to meet you at the Nat'l and finally put a face to the Tigers cards & autos I drool over on here!

[bd3d86]

Originally Posted by Gmrson

Congrats! It was nice to meet you at the Nat'l and finally put a face to the Tigers cards & autos I drool over on here!

Haha....it was very nice to meet you too. I had a lot of fun and already can't wait for next year!

[thescout]

Originally Posted by Eef979

My complaint is that BGS kept raising the prices to get a card slabbed at the show and get it back that day. Advertised price was $25, but near the end it was $75! They say it was do to high demand so the price had to raise. Crazy.

BGS could have said the truth which is that they were full and couldn't take anymore submissions for the rest of Friday, or Saturday or whatever, but I'd do the same thing if I was them and that is just charge a price that 90 percent of people would take as a "we are closed" price and let those few people that think they need it done that day actually pay that price. I don't really know what else they could do other than say no sorry we are full. They brought virtually every single person that works there and people just turned in the most cards they've ever seen at one show...

[fulltritty]

I'm ready for Cleveland!

[Gmrson]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

I'm ready for Cleveland!

Ditto! I'm trying to plan a Midwest band-aid show trip to get me by til then...any suggestions?

Never to early to talk start planning...since I've only done 1 day trips to that Nat'l, a question for those that have stayed for a few days there:

Are there a group of hotels where most people stay?

[Truemountaineer]

at least cleveland isnt a long trip for me Putting in a job application(s) this week so hopefully I will get my first job and be able to get some money up

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by Gmrson

Ditto! I'm trying to plan a Midwest band-aid show trip to get me by til then...any suggestions?

Never to early to talk start planning...since I've only done 1 day trips to that Nat'l, a question for those that have stayed for a few days there:

Are there a group of hotels where most people stay?

From looking at the area by the convention center, it looks like all high end hotels.

[dksportz8]

can anyone tell me how was the Nationals in Chicago this year? Some of my friends told me if was awesome while others said everything was too pricey or no good deals.

let me know since I couldn't go this year.

thanks in advance.

[Razorsharp79]

Cannot for the life of me figure out how the National is in Cleveland 2014, it was voted worst city in America to live and there is NOTHING around the IX Center to do.

No hotel that is attached (which was one feature I loved about Chicago having the skywalk option) Also, there are no decent places to eat that I could find nearby and no quality hotels.

Why is Orange County Convention Center, Orlando not on the list? There is a ton of stuff to do close by and it would so much easier to plan a family vacation around Orlando vs Cleveland.

I was looking forward to going again next year and truly hope the venue is changed soon. If not, I will be skipping next years event, and recommend everyone go look at the setup of Cleveland an contact them to let them know
there are plenty of better places out there

National Sports Collectors Convention – Contact Us

[dacaptain37]

Originally Posted by Razorsharp79

Cannot for the life of me figure out how the National is in Cleveland 2014, it was voted worst city in America to live and there is NOTHING around the IX Center to do.

No hotel that is attached (which was one feature I loved about Chicago having the skywalk option) Also, there are no decent places to eat that I could find nearby and no quality hotels.

Why is Orange County Convention Center, Orlando not on the list? There is a ton of stuff to do close by and it would so much easier to plan a family vacation around Orlando vs Cleveland.

I was looking forward to going again next year and truly hope the venue is changed soon. If not, I will be skipping next years event, and recommend everyone go look at the setup of Cleveland an contact them to let them know
there are plenty of better places out there

National Sports Collectors Convention – Contact Us

the only positive spin is the football HOF... i think it's an hour or so away from the convention center

[upsbroker06]

Originally Posted by Gmrson

Ditto! I'm trying to plan a Midwest band-aid show trip to get me by til then...any suggestions?

Never to early to talk start planning...since I've only done 1 day trips to that Nat'l, a question for those that have stayed for a few days there:

Are there a group of hotels where most people stay?

This is a pretty good list of some of the hotels in the area. None within walking distance of the IX Center but most offer shuttles. There are plenty of others in the area.
Cleveland IX Center Hotels - Cleveland, Ohio

As far as things to do if coming days before or for family:
Indians game
Football Hall of Fame
Horseshoe Casino
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland has a very nice zoo
Cedar Point
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Put-n-Bay
Swings-N-Things Family Fun Park | Cleveland Birthday Parties | Corporate Outings | Olmsted Falls, Ohio

There are plenty of restaurants within a 5-10 minute drive from the center, heck downtown isn't much further.

[Gmrson]

Originally Posted by upsbroker06

This is a pretty good list of some of the hotels in the area. None within walking distance of the IX Center but most offer shuttles. There are plenty of others in the area.
Cleveland IX Center Hotels - Cleveland, Ohio

As far as things to do if coming days before or for family:
Indians game
Football Hall of Fame
Horseshoe Casino
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland has a very nice zoo
Cedar Point
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Put-n-Bay
Swings-N-Things Family Fun Park | Cleveland Birthday Parties | Corporate Outings | Olmsted Falls, Ohio

There are plenty of restaurants within a 5-10 minute drive from the center, heck downtown isn't much further.

Thanks for the info! Back in the good 'ole days of the National they would have buses that made the rounds to the hotels and the show throughout the day. I definitely want to stay where more collectors are next year. Hopefully the Tribe will be in town during the show. It was great hanging with you off and on throughout the show this year!

[soggydoggy]

Originally Posted by Razorsharp79

Cannot for the life of me figure out how the National is in Cleveland 2014, it was voted worst city in America to live and there is NOTHING around the IX Center to do.

No hotel that is attached (which was one feature I loved about Chicago having the skywalk option) Also, there are no decent places to eat that I could find nearby and no quality hotels.

Why is Orange County Convention Center, Orlando not on the list? There is a ton of stuff to do close by and it would so much easier to plan a family vacation around Orlando vs Cleveland.

I was looking forward to going again next year and truly hope the venue is changed soon. If not, I will be skipping next years event, and recommend everyone go look at the setup of Cleveland an contact them to let them know
there are plenty of better places out there

National Sports Collectors Convention – Contact Us

Well you'll just have to spend more money at the show. I went economy this year in Chicago going a block up the street to a cheaper place to sleep and made a Target run to stock up on snacks and beverages. Saved almost $500.00. Just a thought... And they have a Ferris Wheel in the middle of the room! Well, not that exciting.

[Razorsharp79]

Originally Posted by upsbroker06

This is a pretty good list of some of the hotels in the area. None within walking distance of the IX Center but most offer shuttles. There are plenty of others in the area.
Cleveland IX Center Hotels - Cleveland, Ohio

As far as things to do if coming days before or for family:
Indians game
Football Hall of Fame
Horseshoe Casino
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland has a very nice zoo
Cedar Point
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Put-n-Bay
Swings-N-Things Family Fun Park | Cleveland Birthday Parties | Corporate Outings | Olmsted Falls, Ohio

There are plenty of restaurants within a 5-10 minute drive from the center, heck downtown isn't much further.

I do not plan on renting a car, and it sounds like the taxi rides will really add up on these 5-10 min trips to and from. This location basically forces you to spend more money on unnecessary things whereas a location such as Orlando there is so much within reach that I have plenty of choices at my disposal. If I wanna walk to dinner I can, if I wanna cab it and pay the $ I can if I choose to, but I am not forced to.

Sure its not the end of the world, but there are so many better locales to hold this show. I have already spoken to 5 people I know of who will not be attending just because of the selected location, sure there are MANY more who will be avoiding next year.

Not a baseball fan, it bores me to no end
Football HOF is a hour away or 65 miles, no thanks
Horseshoe is 15 miles away from I-X
Not traveling to Cleveland to go to another zoo, have plenty here lol
Not big on roller coasters
Museum meh, not for me, more of a civil war buff
put n bay is 80 miles from I-x center

[Gmrson]

Originally Posted by Razorsharp79

I do not plan on renting a car, and it sounds like the taxi rides will really add up on these 5-10 min trips to and from. This location basically forces you to spend more money on unnecessary things whereas a location such as Orlando there is so much within reach that I have plenty of choices at my disposal. If I wanna walk to dinner I can, if I wanna cab it and pay the $ I can if I choose to, but I am not forced to.

Sure its not the end of the world, but there are so many better locales to hold this show. I have already spoken to 5 people I know of who will not be attending just because of the selected location, sure there are MANY more who will be avoiding next year.

Not a baseball fan, it bores me to no end
Football HOF is a hour away or 65 miles, no thanks
Horseshoe is 15 miles away from I-X
Not traveling to Cleveland to go to another zoo, have plenty here lol
Not big on roller coasters
Museum meh, not for me, more of a civil war buff
put n bay is 80 miles from I-x center

Unfortunately, the National folks have talked out this issue almost as much as redemptions and Pete Rose/HOF are discussed on these forums. There is so much more to having a National as "let's go to" _______ location. If that many people don't show up the dealers who vote on the location would stop going there. Could be cheap for dealers who's expenses are 5-7 days worth. The National has talked to other venues but they won't co-operate with what the National's needs (right or wrong) to have their site be used. I, too, wish it were in a better location that I-X, but it isn't. And I wouldn't mind going back to Cali or Texas. Orlando, not so much. For me the National is my mancation. I was thoroughly disappointed to see it in Atlantic City. Won't skip it though.

Personally, I think because this is an out of the way location there should be a dedicated bus that runs all day from the show to a group of the closer hotels. That's how it worked in Texas in '86 and even Atlanta around '99. Maybe the I-X doesn't want that to interfere with their parking revenue? Could be a question for the Nat'l folks? Perhaps networking with people on here to ride share would help out.

[upsbroker06]

Originally Posted by Razorsharp79

I do not plan on renting a car, and it sounds like the taxi rides will really add up on these 5-10 min trips to and from. This location basically forces you to spend more money on unnecessary things whereas a location such as Orlando there is so much within reach that I have plenty of choices at my disposal. If I wanna walk to dinner I can, if I wanna cab it and pay the $ I can if I choose to, but I am not forced to.

Sure its not the end of the world, but there are so many better locales to hold this show. I have already spoken to 5 people I know of who will not be attending just because of the selected location, sure there are MANY more who will be avoiding next year.

Not a baseball fan, it bores me to no end
Football HOF is a hour away or 65 miles, no thanks
Horseshoe is 15 miles away from I-X
Not traveling to Cleveland to go to another zoo, have plenty here lol
Not big on roller coasters
Museum meh, not for me, more of a civil war buff
put n bay is 80 miles from I-x center

You can do that with any locale though. I can give you plenty of names of people who wouldn't attend if it was in Orlando. I already go there once a year in the spring or fall, no interest in going at the end of July. There are plenty who didn't go last year because it was in Baltimore. Hell, the west coasters on this board will tell you all about not traveling to it because of cost. We get it, Cleveland doesn't meet your personal requirements for a good National. There is not a site in the country that every collector will be happy with.

[Razorsharp79]

Originally Posted by upsbroker06

You can do that with any locale though. I can give you plenty of names of people who wouldn't attend if it was in Orlando. I already go there once a year in the spring or fall, no interest in going at the end of July. There are plenty who didn't go last year because it was in Baltimore. Hell, the west coasters on this board will tell you all about not traveling to it because of cost. We get it, Cleveland doesn't meet your personal requirements for a good National. There is not a site in the country that every collector will be happy with.

Yes, I get all that, but say there were 100 places to choose from, this location would be and is in the bottom 10.

Cleveland is a dump, plain and simple, read the reviews on the place lol