I have a love-hate relationship with the Chicago Sports Spectacular. I was feeling a lot of love at the March and June shows but this past weekend's show was another story. First off, I have been setting up at this show for 25 years or so and have never had a problem booking a table. This past show was a problem.
Normally, I set up with my buddy Dave and he gets us two booths. Well, when Dave went to sign up for the November show, he was told he could only obtain one booth -- I was out. So I immediately sent in a contract and was informed that no booths were available and that I had to go on the waiting list.
I had my best Sports Spectacular show ever in March and a pretty good one in June so I was extremely disappointed. I really wanted to set up at the November show so I kept bugging Shannon, who is in charge. Last week, she told me she had a spot for me. I was elated... until I arrived Thursday afternoon and saw that my spot was in front of the dealer parking lot, behind a wall of framed jerseys, hidden from view. See below.
Normally, I set up with my buddy Dave and he gets us two booths. Well, when Dave went to sign up for the November show, he was told he could only obtain one booth -- I was out. So I immediately sent in a contract and was informed that no booths were available and that I had to go on the waiting list.
I had my best Sports Spectacular show ever in March and a pretty good one in June so I was extremely disappointed. I really wanted to set up at the November show so I kept bugging Shannon, who is in charge. Last week, she told me she had a spot for me. I was elated... until I arrived Thursday afternoon and saw that my spot was in front of the dealer parking lot, behind a wall of framed jerseys, hidden from view. See below.
As a result, I had a lousy show. Hardly anyone was able to find me. I do appreciate Shannon for finding me a spot, or actually making a spot for me but it was an impossible place to sell a card.
I understand that they are moving the show downstairs to a larger space in March and will have room for 100 more tables. My friend PJ wants to set up with me, Dave and Kevin like we did in the summer. Unfortunately, after this past weekend's debacle, I have lost my enthusiasm for this show. I sent in my contract for March a couple of months ago in an effort to secure a spot for that show. Now, I just don't care. I am going to wait and see where they place me in the room before I fully commit.
Anyway, it would have been a total disaster except that some really good friends somehow found me and bought some cards. I gotta thank Willie, Steve, Mike, Harry, and Bob. You guys rock. Thank you so much!!!
Update on my brother Jon... he had some real rough patches but is awake and conscious. I really appreciate all the kind thoughts from everybody. Jon is my baby brother so it is really hard to see him this way.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I am thankful for sooo many things. I am thankful that my brother is still here. I am also thankful for all the good friends I have met at the card shows and who follow this blog. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate you!
Next up is the Orland Park show on November 26. I plan on bringing display cases to that one.
Update on the December 3 Oak Creek show... Former Brewers pitcher Don August had so much fun at the show last year that he is coming back on December 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and signing autographs for FREE!
Also, Johnny Adams, Jerry Nelson and a couple other great vintage dealers from Minneapolis will be setting up at the December 3 Oak Creek show. Along with all of our regular vintage dealers, we are going to have an amazing inventory of vintage cards at the December 3 show.
Once again, I have sold out all 170 tables -- crazy! I could sell more!! I hate that I still have a waiting list. My apologies to the guys who want to set up. I just don't have any more space. So we will be busting at the seams once again!
I am going to move the entrance to the December 3rd show from the front door to the gym. Parking once again will be impossible, so please park at the Target parking lot across the street from the Salvation Army. Dealers -- if you could come find me first thing and pay your table fee, I would appreciate it!
Have a great Turkey Day everybody!!
I understand that they are moving the show downstairs to a larger space in March and will have room for 100 more tables. My friend PJ wants to set up with me, Dave and Kevin like we did in the summer. Unfortunately, after this past weekend's debacle, I have lost my enthusiasm for this show. I sent in my contract for March a couple of months ago in an effort to secure a spot for that show. Now, I just don't care. I am going to wait and see where they place me in the room before I fully commit.
Anyway, it would have been a total disaster except that some really good friends somehow found me and bought some cards. I gotta thank Willie, Steve, Mike, Harry, and Bob. You guys rock. Thank you so much!!!
Update on my brother Jon... he had some real rough patches but is awake and conscious. I really appreciate all the kind thoughts from everybody. Jon is my baby brother so it is really hard to see him this way.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I am thankful for sooo many things. I am thankful that my brother is still here. I am also thankful for all the good friends I have met at the card shows and who follow this blog. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate you!
Next up is the Orland Park show on November 26. I plan on bringing display cases to that one.
Update on the December 3 Oak Creek show... Former Brewers pitcher Don August had so much fun at the show last year that he is coming back on December 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and signing autographs for FREE!
Also, Johnny Adams, Jerry Nelson and a couple other great vintage dealers from Minneapolis will be setting up at the December 3 Oak Creek show. Along with all of our regular vintage dealers, we are going to have an amazing inventory of vintage cards at the December 3 show.
Once again, I have sold out all 170 tables -- crazy! I could sell more!! I hate that I still have a waiting list. My apologies to the guys who want to set up. I just don't have any more space. So we will be busting at the seams once again!
I am going to move the entrance to the December 3rd show from the front door to the gym. Parking once again will be impossible, so please park at the Target parking lot across the street from the Salvation Army. Dealers -- if you could come find me first thing and pay your table fee, I would appreciate it!
Have a great Turkey Day everybody!!
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