As expected, the 2020 National Sports Collectors Convention in Atlantic City won’t be taking place this summer–but it hasn’t been cancelled for good. The NSCC Board of Directors has voted to postpone the 41st annual event with plans to hold it just before the holidays and on a different schedule.
The board cited “health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic” as a reason for the postponement.
The hobby’s biggest annual event has been tentatively rescheduled to open Saturday, December 12 and run through Wednesday, December 16, and will remain at the Atlantic City Convention Center in New Jersey. The show had been scheduled for Wednesday, July 29-Sunday, August 2. The dates are a bit unusual. The show typically opens on a Wednesday afternoon with a “sneak peek” and VIP event and runs through the weekend. The NSCC tells SC Daily the move to Saturday-Wednesday is due to the lack of available dates at the convention center.
Organizers say they understand the show’s new date is still at the mercy of the coronavirus’ impact and government rules for large events.
“We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic situation with our partners along with city and state officials. It has become clear postponement is the appropriate course of action,” said John Broggi, NSCC Show Promoter. “We have tentative plans to hold the National December 12-16, 2020, at the Atlantic City Convention Center, given state and federal guidelines indicate it is safe to hold our event.”
The show annually attracts thousands of collectors and hundreds of exhibitors, typically rotating between Chicago and Cleveland but with the occasional visit to Atlantic City.
“It was a very difficult decision to postpone the 41st National but we feel it is the right decision given the number of critical unanswered questions and uncertainty concerning the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, said Dan Berkus, NSCC Show Promoter. “We are currently working with Atlantic City officials and our NSCC team will be coordinating with exhibitors, attendees and signing guests to ensure a smooth transition to the new December 12-16, 2020 dates.”
Exhibitors currently registered for the 2020 National will receive information pertinent to their participation and how to proceed going forward. In addition, exhibitors and attendees can visit www.NSCCShow.com and the National’s social media platforms for current news and updates concerning the event.