Saturday, June 21, 2025, Alliant Center, Madison, WI
While I look forward to every show I do, there are some that elicit an extra element of excitement. I felt that extra element of excitement prior to the Alliant Center show, which is an expansion of the monthly Madison show that has been housed at the Sheraton Hotel for several years.
The Alliant Center show had 250 tables with one room for Sports Cards, another room for Pokemon, and a third room for a mixture of both.
I liked how dealers were able to pre-register and pick their location. Initially, I wanted a wall spot but I was too slow on the trigger and took two tables in the back of the room. Generally, I do not really care where I am located at a show. I have found that my sales are the same no matter where I am located. It is just nice to be on a wall spot so you don't have to mess with another dealer behind you.
Luckily, I had the same dealer behind me at the Alliant Center who is behind me at the Sheraton. I wish I knew his name. He is a super nice guy and sells mostly modern sports cards but has a few vintage bangers in his display case like a 1952 Topps Willie Mays. Nice guy and it is always a pleasure being set up behind him.
The aisles at the Alliant Center were wider than the Sheraton and it seemed like I had a least a foot or so extra space behind me. We had a nice crowd in the sports room, not too crowded, thanks to the Poke people being in another room. It was really pleasant in there all day long.
Also, load in was so much easier at the Alliant Center than the Sheraton. It was so nice not having to deal with the elevator and with plenty of space to move around. I much prefer the Alliant Center to the Sheraton.
So, Beau, the Madison promoter, is going to rotate the show monthly between the Sheraton and the Alliant Center. Next Sheraton show is July 26. Of course, I goofed, and booked a show in Naperville that day, so I'll have to miss that one. I'll be back at the Alliant Center for the August 30 show.
New venue but the same pattern of sales for me as the Sheraton. I had my usual busy morning with quite few set builders, though, some regulars were noticeably absent. Overall, sales were okay. I had quite a few sales but most were for low-dollar amounts.
On the buying front -- MONSTER DAY! Madison has become one of my best buying shows whether at the Sheraton or the Alliant Center. Prior to this show, I worked out a deal with my pal Rod, who I've known for decades. We met years ago at the old Gonzaga show and have been doing several deals every year since.
It was so nice to see Rod and his wife Caroline, two of the nicest people you will ever meet. Rod sold me a great group of 1956 Topps baseball that included Ted Williams, Sandy Koufax, Ernie Banks, Warren Spahn, and more.
Later, my neighbor at this show, Shawn, hooked me up with a Pokémon dealer Alex who was selling some vintage sports cards for a family member. Shawn picked up some bangers from Alex like a 1955 Topps Jackie Robinson but he was not interested in a stack of T206's and sent them my way. Thank you Shawn! I picked up 10 slabbed T206s! Woot!
I also purchased a couple of 1954 Bowman football cards from Shawn then found a 45 of the "Super Bowl Shuffle" on some random dealer's table -- the purchase of the day!
Needless to say, I was pretty freakin' happy after the Alliant Center show. My one complaint was that the concession stand was kind of gross. You know you are in for some bad food when the hot dogs are cooked on rollers. Reminded me of the food at the Strongsville show. I gotta remember to bring sandwiches to the August show.
Load out was easier than loading in, despite the crazy heat. I had a really great day. Big Tim spent much of the day at Shawn's table, so I got to hang out with him. Heard Gary G. could not get a table. I know Gary reads this blog. Gary, if you are ever in that situation again, send me a text and I'll give you one of my tables!! Gotta have Gary at the show!!
Also, want to give a shout out to East Coast Tom, who was a staffer for Beau at the show. I appreciate Tom watching my table so I could take some bathroom breaks. Thanks Tom!
I really enjoyed this show and can't wait for the next one at the Alliant Center. While I like the show at the Sheraton, the extra space and the layout at the Alliant Center makes this show special. I see good things ahead in Madison!
This was a double-bill weekend with Orland on Sunday. Orland blog coming soon.
Up next for me is Rockford on Sunday, June 29.
Next Oak Creek show is July 12. Next MegaShow is September 20.
Hope to see you guys in Rockford!
Below are some of the cards I purchased at the Alliant show. I hope to have them priced and ready to go by the National.
While I look forward to every show I do, there are some that elicit an extra element of excitement. I felt that extra element of excitement prior to the Alliant Center show, which is an expansion of the monthly Madison show that has been housed at the Sheraton Hotel for several years.
The Alliant Center show had 250 tables with one room for Sports Cards, another room for Pokemon, and a third room for a mixture of both.
I liked how dealers were able to pre-register and pick their location. Initially, I wanted a wall spot but I was too slow on the trigger and took two tables in the back of the room. Generally, I do not really care where I am located at a show. I have found that my sales are the same no matter where I am located. It is just nice to be on a wall spot so you don't have to mess with another dealer behind you.
Luckily, I had the same dealer behind me at the Alliant Center who is behind me at the Sheraton. I wish I knew his name. He is a super nice guy and sells mostly modern sports cards but has a few vintage bangers in his display case like a 1952 Topps Willie Mays. Nice guy and it is always a pleasure being set up behind him.
The aisles at the Alliant Center were wider than the Sheraton and it seemed like I had a least a foot or so extra space behind me. We had a nice crowd in the sports room, not too crowded, thanks to the Poke people being in another room. It was really pleasant in there all day long.
Also, load in was so much easier at the Alliant Center than the Sheraton. It was so nice not having to deal with the elevator and with plenty of space to move around. I much prefer the Alliant Center to the Sheraton.
So, Beau, the Madison promoter, is going to rotate the show monthly between the Sheraton and the Alliant Center. Next Sheraton show is July 26. Of course, I goofed, and booked a show in Naperville that day, so I'll have to miss that one. I'll be back at the Alliant Center for the August 30 show.
New venue but the same pattern of sales for me as the Sheraton. I had my usual busy morning with quite few set builders, though, some regulars were noticeably absent. Overall, sales were okay. I had quite a few sales but most were for low-dollar amounts.
On the buying front -- MONSTER DAY! Madison has become one of my best buying shows whether at the Sheraton or the Alliant Center. Prior to this show, I worked out a deal with my pal Rod, who I've known for decades. We met years ago at the old Gonzaga show and have been doing several deals every year since.
It was so nice to see Rod and his wife Caroline, two of the nicest people you will ever meet. Rod sold me a great group of 1956 Topps baseball that included Ted Williams, Sandy Koufax, Ernie Banks, Warren Spahn, and more.
Later, my neighbor at this show, Shawn, hooked me up with a Pokémon dealer Alex who was selling some vintage sports cards for a family member. Shawn picked up some bangers from Alex like a 1955 Topps Jackie Robinson but he was not interested in a stack of T206's and sent them my way. Thank you Shawn! I picked up 10 slabbed T206s! Woot!
I also purchased a couple of 1954 Bowman football cards from Shawn then found a 45 of the "Super Bowl Shuffle" on some random dealer's table -- the purchase of the day!
Needless to say, I was pretty freakin' happy after the Alliant Center show. My one complaint was that the concession stand was kind of gross. You know you are in for some bad food when the hot dogs are cooked on rollers. Reminded me of the food at the Strongsville show. I gotta remember to bring sandwiches to the August show.
Load out was easier than loading in, despite the crazy heat. I had a really great day. Big Tim spent much of the day at Shawn's table, so I got to hang out with him. Heard Gary G. could not get a table. I know Gary reads this blog. Gary, if you are ever in that situation again, send me a text and I'll give you one of my tables!! Gotta have Gary at the show!!
Also, want to give a shout out to East Coast Tom, who was a staffer for Beau at the show. I appreciate Tom watching my table so I could take some bathroom breaks. Thanks Tom!
I really enjoyed this show and can't wait for the next one at the Alliant Center. While I like the show at the Sheraton, the extra space and the layout at the Alliant Center makes this show special. I see good things ahead in Madison!
This was a double-bill weekend with Orland on Sunday. Orland blog coming soon.
Up next for me is Rockford on Sunday, June 29.
Next Oak Creek show is July 12. Next MegaShow is September 20.
Hope to see you guys in Rockford!
Below are some of the cards I purchased at the Alliant show. I hope to have them priced and ready to go by the National.
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