FAT DADDY'S SPORTS
  • HOME
    • BIO
    • Reach Me
  • CARD SHOWS
    • Roma Lodge >
      • Photos
    • Oak Creek Show >
      • Smith & Gordon Show Photos 2014
      • 2015 Photos
      • 2016 Photos
    • Wisconsin MegaShow
  • STORE
    • eBay
  • PHOTOS
    • Card Show Photos >
      • 2012 Card Show Photos
      • 2013 Card Show Photos
    • Recent Pick-Ups >
      • Page 2
  • BLOG
  • LINKS
    • YouTube
  • STUFF
    • ARTICLES
    • BOOK REVIEWS
  • FAQ
  • BUYING

First Show Is A Success!!

9/14/2014

7 Comments

 
Picture
Saturday, September 14, 2014, was a great day. My first card show as a promoter was awesome! The room was terrific. The hotel placed table cloths and skirts on all the tables which gave a level of class to my rustic old sports memorabilia. I had five 8-foot tables to myself. I brought out more stuff than I ever have before and filled up all that space. The only problem was that it took me forever to set up and forever to take everything down. Mark Smith also had five 8-foots. Willie Shabas had two tables, Scott Prodzinski had two, Jim and Scott Ziegert had two, Nelson Rodriguez had one, and Bill Concair from Peoria, Illinois, had one table. The room looked really good. Customers commented on the nice selection of items.

I was hoping to create a relaxed atmosphere were collectors could peruse through all the items at their leisure. Goal achieved. The lighting was nice and bright. We had no distractions. There were plenty of comfortable chairs for customers to sit at the tables and relax. Many customers commented that they were grateful that there was no admission fee. The hotel provided a dozen pitchers of water with what looked like wine glasses. All made for a really pleasant event.

We had a nice number of customers in attendance. All my regular guys came out like Jim, Jeff, Jason, Mark, Jack and more. Some guys who didn't come out all summer at Gonzaga came out for my show on Saturday. Thanks guys! You are the best!! Mark's regulars came out as well. The other dealers seemed to have action at their tables. Though, admittedly, most of the customers came out to see me and Mark. So after the show, Mark and I decided to spend some money on advertising to get more customers for the other dealers. Since it was my first show as a promoter, I learned there are other things I need to think about like making sure the other dealers have as many customers as I do. Man, I had a terrific day! There were people at my tables from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Another thing I learned is that I need to make some signs so folks can find the room. The Clarion is a maze of banquet, conference and meeting rooms. I entered the hotel in the back by the Cork & Cleaver restaurant and had to wind my way through to the Rembrandt Room, which is at the very end of the hotel. So, I'm going get some signs made before the October 18 show giving directions to the room. 

While sales were good, it definitely was a learning experience. I think we had a good start on Saturday and created something to build on. Mark and I decided that we are going to really make an effort to create a Saturday destination card show in Milwaukee. We appreciated everyone who came out and we appreciated all the suggestions -- keep 'em coming!

One thing I did not anticipate and which was a pleasant surprise was the guys who brought cards in to sell to the dealers. I picked up a nice group of early 1950s Bowman football while Mark picked up a near-set of 1965 Topps baseball. The '65 cards were the seller's childhood collection. We were all amazed he kept the cards in such nice condition for nearly 50 years.  This just may turn into a great show for buying as well! Woot!!

A big shout out goes to Scott Prodzinski who greeted me with breakfast in the morning and after the show treated me, Mark and Willie to an awesome burger place near the hotel. Thanks Scott!! You're the best!!

Another bonus was the fact that Saturday highway traffic is nothing compared to horror of Sunday. I had a quick drive home. I can't wait until the next show on October 18!!

Next weekend, on Sunday, September 21, I will be setting up at the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, IL. I have been having real nice shows in Bloomingdale lately and am looking forward to another one on Sunday. I hope a lot of my Orland regulars make the drive to Bloomingdale because I am no longer setting up in Orland. This Milwaukee show has driven Orland promoter John Leary batty and he was calling up everyone and their mothers claiming I was stealing all of his dealers for a show 150 miles away! For the record, I did not "steal" any Orland dealers -- what nonsense! There is no way I am ever setting up with John Leary again. Actually, Mark and I are going to take our road show to Orland and create our own show in the Orland area. I think John is driving his show into the ground. My Orland sales have been on a steady decline for the last two-years. I am going to start looking into venues. Mark and I hope to create an Orland show with NO admission fee, we want a concession stand, inexpensive table fee, no limitation on dealers and more. Did you know that John only allows a certain number of wax dealers? Mark and I won't place limits on what types of dealers can set up. Our show will be open to anybody and everybody. I'll keep you posted as to my progress. In the meantime, I hope to see a lot of friendly faces in Bloomingdale next weekend!!
7 Comments
Andy
9/14/2014 03:08:29 am

Tony, great to hear there is a new card show success. That is something that has great difficulty in FL. Hope you guys will be running this one next summer!!
Go Bears,
Andy

Reply
Tony
9/14/2014 03:39:50 am

Thanks Andy! We plan on running this monthly show for years to come. You'll like this hotel. It is a great place for a card show!

Reply
Mark Smith
9/14/2014 09:48:52 pm

Let me echo Tonys sentiment on the show. I thought for a first endeavor it was great. I look forward to improving the show as we go forward. Any suggestions from collectors will be gladly accepted. Let me end by saying the treatment we received from John Leary was the worst I have ever received from a promoter. He should be ashamed on how he treated myself and Tony. Moving forward I will not do any of John Learys shows

Reply
Paul
9/14/2014 11:57:04 pm

Hi Guys, Sorry I couldn't attend your first show. You guys need to do one around the Orland area. I will no longer be attending John's show as a result of your treatment.

In the days of dwindling interest in the card industry,we don't need people who alienate other collectors. It's too bad this is happening. I attended Orland because it was close to my house and I really don't believe in traveling far for cards.

I really don't want to bash Orland but the thing that really disgusted me was the amount of behind the scene deals. What I mean is when you would approach a dealer that dealer would be talking to another person behind their table showing them cards and then all of sudden silence when I would be approaching. Hey, how about letting me know what you have as well instead of having me pull through the same old same old. That's very underhanded.

I wish you guys a ton of success.

Reply
Tony
9/15/2014 02:23:55 am

Thanks for the support Paul! We could use your advice on venues in or around Orland.

As far as dealers with a hidden stash of cards, I'm not sure what that is about. For me, I try to bring certain cards for customers when they make a request and I won't put those out for the general public unless the customer doesn't want them. Thanks for the comment. I know Mark and I are always looking for ways to improve and appreciate any and all comments.

When you get a chance, let me know of some good places in the Southland to hold a card show.

Thanks Paul!!

Will
9/16/2014 03:44:02 am

Hey Tony,

Congrats to you and Mark for your first show success. I am hoping to make your next show but, I never know because of my work schedule. It will be cool if you find a place in Orland as you know I am not a big traveler. I know you can do this promoting thing because of your enthusiasm for the hobby. It needs new blood to pump some life into it.

Congrats again and good luck on finding a place in Orland.

Will

Reply
Tony
9/16/2014 04:08:21 am

Thanks Will!!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Tony Gordon

    Vintage Sports Cards Addict

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011

    RSS Feed

Copyright © Fat Daddy's Sports 2025. All Rights Reserved.