The National Sports Collectors Convention should be a bucket-list destination for sports fans. Even if you don’t collect sports cards, it’s the type of place you should go to at least once in your life.
Yes, the convention is filled with cards.
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But it also has history, athletes, celebrities, memorabilia and so much more.
This year’s National is the 45th installment and will be at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., which is next door to Chicago, July 30-Aug. 3.
Here are 10 things every sports fan or collector should know before attending the National.
Bring snacks and water: You will be surprised how quickly time goes by at a show and how you can sometimes forget to eat. Bring snacks and water to stay fueled and hydrated throughout the show. Then, get a nice dinner. (I hope you’ve already made those Gibson’s reservations).
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Cash is king: Even though we all use cards and apps to pay for items these days, cash is still king at a show like the National. There are also more deals to be made with cash.
More than 150 autograph signers: Athletes and celebrities are signing all five days at the National, from all-time greats like Johnny Bench and Bo Jackson to modern stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Pete Crow-Armstrong. There are also celebrities like Spike Lee and Randy Quaid. If you’re planning to get any autographs, plan your schedules early.
Get your cards graded: The National provides the unique opportunity to get cards graded at the venue. Normally, collectors have to send their cards to the grading companies to get them encapsulated. At the National, you can get your cards back in as quickly as three hours — it just depends on how much you’re willing to pay.
Visit the corporate pavilion: The corporate pavilion has changed over the years at the National and has become bigger and much better. Companies like Panini, Topps, Upper Deck and Fanatics put up huge booths with plenty of different experiences. You can spend an entire day having fun in the corporate area.
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Prices may drop on Sunday: It’s not a guarantee, but in past years prices have come down on Sunday. Often, there are deals to be had because dealers don’t want to bring inventory home. Many of them want to get rid of as much as they can at the show.
Bring your own supplies: If you’re opening boxes of cards, there’s no worse feeling in pulling a big hit and having no way to protect it. Bring your own supplies so that you can make sure that your cards are always protected. That means, penny sleeves, top loaders and team bags, at the very least.
Wifi Issues: The WiFi and your phone service may not work during peak hours at the show. This has been an issue at all major shows, including the National. Consider there are tens of thousands of people who are trying to connect to the internet and it essentially creates a digital log jam. If there’s anything you need online, do it before heading into the show.
Content creators galore: There are going to be a lot of people with cameras and microphones. Content creation is part of the scene now. It’s not just people walking around the show, but also dealers, as everyone is trying to get the next viral video. Not sure there’s a way to avoid it, but be warned of what you’re getting into while at the National.
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Trade shows in hotel lobbies: The National doesn’t only take place at the convention center. Many times, hotel lobbies or other gathering spots turn into an impromptu trade night. Some of the very best deals happen in these moments.
