I was much too tired all week to price cards, so I had nothing new on display at my Clarion show on August 5, 2017, even though I bought a ton of stuff at the National. Luckily, not a whole lot of my Clarion regulars were at the National so they were able to go through quite a few cards that were new from the July show. I spent a ton of time pricing stuff for the National, so my inventory is fairly fresh right now.
Wow, what a difference a year makes. The August Clarion show last year was a dud, no way to sugar coat it. So I went into promoter beast mode this year and spent quite a bit of money on doughnuts, coffee and cards to give away all summer long. Beast mode worked because I had great attendance all summer long, including the August show, pictured above. I have to say that it is really fun giving stuff away. I found that it made the customers happy, the dealers happy, and myself very happy. There was just a great atmosphere at the Clarion show all summer long when I started to give stuff away in June. Dennis told me he pulled a card containing a piece of Jackie Kennedy's dress in one of the packs I gave away at the August show. It is so great to hear that people are happy and saying good things about my Clarion show.
The September 2 Clarion Show is shaping up to be my best show to date. September will mark the third anniversary of the show I started with Mark Smith back in September of 2014. I already have 11 dealers lined up for September. I can't fit many more into the room. We may have to bump the show into one of the bigger rooms at the hotel. Those that attended the June and July shows enjoyed the bigger Mitchell Room. It is kind of a tight squeeze in the Rembrandt Room, our regular location for the show. So it works out really well when I get a large dealer turn out and have extra fund to purchase the larger room.
Like last year's anniversary show, which was also a big hit and well attended, I am giving away free pizza at the September show this year. Last year I only purchased three pizzas based on the low turnout from the August 2016 show. Unlike the August 2016, the September 2016 show was well attended and the pizzas were gone within seconds. So I am going to double the number of pizzas this year and am willing and able to order even more, depending on need. This year, nobody is going to miss out on pizza. What do you guys like as pizza toppings? I am going to bring a cooler of soda as well.
I am also going to keep the free donuts and coffee going. Everyone seems to really like the donuts. I think I will add a box of munchkins as well because the donuts go pretty quick.
I picked up a box each of 2014 and 2015 Topps baseball cards at the last Gonzaga show. I plan on picking up a few more boxes of cards and will give out two packs to everyone who attends the September 2, 2017, Clarion Show located at 5311 S. Howell in Milwaukee from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
I am also thinking ahead to the October show. I am really enjoying the festive atmosphere of the Clarion show lately. Any suggestions for the October show? I want to keep this party going with more free stuff and food.
I look forward to seeing everyone September 2!!