Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ 2012 National Convention Moves to Baltimore

Organizers of the National Sports Collectors Convention have reached a deal to hold the 2012 show at the Baltimore Convention Center, site of this year’s event.

At the Annual Meeting held on Friday night during the National, presentations were given by Atlantic City and Baltimore to host the 2014 National. However, organizers say there were two drawbacks to the bid from Baltimore.

First, the Convention Center could not provide a 2014 date earlier than the middle of August (much later than the National has ever been held) and second, the Convention Center would not sign a contract with the NSCC more than 24 months in advance of those dates. Both of these issues posed large problems for the NSCC and show organizers.

Following the 2010

National, exhibitors were still very much in favor of returning to Baltimore as a result of the success of the 2010 event. Show managers Mike Berkus and John Broggi (SMI LLC) looked for a way to return to Baltimore and to overcome the two drawbacks for 2014.

In October, Baltimore officials informed SMI that they could provide the National with 8/1-8/5/2012 dates, roughly the same time period as the 2010 National.

In addition, since those 2012 dates were within the 24 month requirement that Baltimore had, a contract could be signed immediately.

That left one problem to be resolved. The National already had a 2012 contract with Cleveland.

SMI LLC entered into negotiations with I-X Center personnel concerning the possibility of moving the 2012 National, originally scheduled there. Several discussions with Cleveland’s I-X Center were held and SMI LLC has agreed to pay Cleveland a one-time non-refundable fee to move the 2012 show and to hold the 2014 show in Cleveland instead.

In addition, the 2018 National will also be held at the I-X Center.

The change provides a longer interval between shows in Cleveland. Once a tentative agreement was reached with the I-X Center, a ballot was sent to National Exhibitors for approval. According to SMI LLC, dealers voted overwhelmingly to return to Baltimore in 2012.

Sports Collectors daily.com
Dec. 10, 2010

I wanted to go to Cleveland for the 2012 show, not Baltimore....gggrrrrrr

Hum. We want it here! It needs to in Chicago every year!! So I might be able to go!

Sweet, it's a 45 minute drive and the last was
mega-impressive.

I have heard from several dealers that I stay in touch with
that the Baltimore show was the worst National they had
ever had. As it was my "virgin" tour, I can only view it from
the narrow vision of a first-timer. I hope that the economy
was the issue as opposed to the location.

There is a long and ongoing debate concerning the venue
for National Sports Collector Convention. I agree that the
choice of middle America makes the most sense. The dealers,
collectors and manufacturers on the East Coast and West Coast
have their gripes about turnstile numbers but ultimately the
middle of the country (Chicago, St. Louis, etc.) makes more
sense than the alternatives.

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

You southern guys (Mason Dixon Line) get to have all the hobby fun.

Consider me happy.

that could make me more incited to go in 2012!

I heard this a few days ago! I'm so glad!

Consider me happy.

If Ted's happy.

I like it. I will put in for vacation time now. Its about a 4 hour drive for me.. Oh and I think I will need a bigger piggy bank

Dang has it ever been in Texas or Las Vegas?

Dang has it ever been in Texas or Las Vegas?

It needs to be in LV! I would take a trip to LV for the National...but to Baltimore...its kinda far for me.
but in LV i would be losing a lot more money also not just from the National

i still dont understand Baltimore. nothing happens in Baltimore lol

adam pick me up lol!

It needs to be in LV! I would take a trip to LV for the National...but to Baltimore...its kinda far for me.
but in LV i would be losing a lot more money also    not just from the National

ya i know what u mean...but the only way my wife would go if its there or new york city..but that would be even more expensive..plus we already have a prepaid trip to las vegas..