(2021 Update: With the 2020 Atlantic City National having been canceled, the 2022 show will be held there in place of Cleveland, where the IX Center is no longer operating. The 2023 show remains on schedule for Chicago).
The National Sports Collectors Convention will return to Cleveland in 2022.
That’s the word from show promoters after finalizing the results of a vote by dealers this week. The other option on the ballot was to eliminate Cleveland from the rotation through at least 2023.
As it stands, Chicago is hardly being left out. The show will take up residence at the Stephens Convention Center in suburban Rosemont in 2019, 2021 and 2023. It’ll be held in Atlantic City in 2020.
The two cities have been the most common locations for the show over the years, earning points for the size of their show floors and their close proximity to local airports. While collectors in other areas of the country have long pushed for the show to be held in a variety of locations, the NSCC says other cities’ convention halls have sometimes been difficult to work with because of the number of hotel room requirements and other factors. The large number of collectors residing in the eastern half of the country has also played a role in the dealers supporting a Midwest location. In 2016, Atlantic City hosted the event for the first time in several years and it went well enough to bring the show back there at least one more time.
The 2018 convention in Cleveland got high marks from most collectors and dealers for the show’s floor plan but there were major issues with a lack of available wifi. Show organizers say the I-X Center has promised to work out a plan to improve the situation and provide free access to dealers by the time the show returns in 2022. Collectors who need wifi will have access in a designated area.
Next year will mark the show’s 40th anniversary. Dealer tables are sold out. Admission tickets will go on sale in March, about the same time the autograph guest list will be released.
National Sports Collectors Convention Future Locations
2019 – Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Chicago, IL
2020 – Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ
2021 – Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Chicago, IL
2022 – International Exposition (I-X) Center Cleveland, OH
2023 – Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Chicago, IL
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