Imagine a world where the New York Yankees and New York Mets were both in the playoffs, and the National was taking place in New York or New Jersey.
That’s a scenario similar to what show promotor Steve Menzie has had going for him in the past couple of weeks.
The Toronto Sport Card and Memorabilia Expo, which is the largest show in Canada and among the hobby’s biggest overall, took place April 20-23. Fueled by a passionate fan base for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they began their playoff run, the show drew a record crowd.
Menzie’s second show, the Edmonton Sport Card and Memorabilia Expo, takes place in Western Canada this weekend. The show takes place May 5-7 at Millenium Place in Sherwood Park, Alberta.
The Toronto Spring Expo marked the first time the show has taken place during a Leafs playoff run since 2004. Former show owner and promotor Al Sinclair used to say that the performance of the Leafs in the playoffs influenced the show by 5-10 per cent.
“We don’t have exact figures yet, but based on the timing of the Leafs winning against Tampa Bay and the energy and excitement that was on the show floor, having the Leafs in the playoffs during the show has made a huge impact on the attendance,” Menzie said.
The number of collectors walking around in their Leafs jerseys and gear created a sea of blue on the floor. There were the predictable Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner jerseys. There were some John Tavares jerseys. And of course, the old jerseys like the Doug Gilmours, Wendel Clarks, Mats Sundins, Darryl Sittlers and even the Dave Keons were dusted off and worn with pride and excitement.
The trend that started in 2022 continued in Toronto with the show’s focus being as much on the services provided to collectors than the collectibles themselves. While wax boxes, graded singles and jersey and autographed cards remain the cornerstone of the show, there has been more and more emphasis on grading cards, auctions and storing cards.
“Beckett offered grading on site for the first time this year and that was really was received,” Menzie said. “Grading continues to become bigger at every show, and COMC continues to grow.”
The show was loaded with star and superstar autograph guests. While most of the guests were hockey legends, there were a few athletes from other sports sprinkled in. Wrestler Kurt Angle, legendary CFL quarterback and all-time passing leader Damon Allen, and former Blue Jay Cecil Fielder were in the autograph pavilion alongside superstars Denis Potvin, Pat LaFontaine, Chris Chelios, Owen Nolan, Grant Fuhr, Dino Ciccarelli, Joe Niewendyk and more.
Menzie expects the crowd at the Edmonton show to be decked out in Oilers gear. There will be McDavid and Draisaitl jerseys, and of course, a lot of Gretzky jerseys.
“If the Leafs drove attendance and excitement in Toronto, it will be even more so for the Oilers in Edmonton,” Menzie said. “The Oilers don’t have to compete with the NBA or Major League Baseball like Toronto does.”
The show is also bringing some star power to the autographed pavilion. On Saturday, Billy Smith, Adam Oates and Doug Gilmour will be signing. Sunday’s guests will be Rogie Vachon, Kim St. Pierre and Richard Brodeur.
“We won’t have the huge number of guests like Toronto had, but the quality is there,” Menzie said. “There are good guests, and we have a good selection of dealers.”
While eBay was a major sponsor of the Toronto show, they will also be involved in the Edmonton show. Upper Deck, Ultra Pro, Pather, PSA Canada, TAG, Mint, COMC, Premium Autographs and Sports Card Live are all listed as partners and sponsors of the show.
“A lot of the dealers from the Toronto show will also be in Edmonton,” Menzie said. “If people in western Canada didn’t get to make it east to Toronto, they will still get the same experience.”
Show hours are 3-8 Friday, 10-6 Saturday and 10-4 Sunday.
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