The National Sports Collectors Convention

Two weeks from today collectors from all over will be at the Stephens Center in Rosemont, IL attending this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention.  “The National” is one of the best places a collector can go whether they are brand new to collecting, or they have been around for years.  Last year I went to the convention for my first time and had a blast.  Tristar does a great job of getting athletes there for you to meet and get autographs.  If you plan to buy VIP tickets you will receive a bag full of goodies that are only exclusive to the that year’s convention.  One of the best items on your list of things to do is visit the booths of the major manufacturers like, Topps, Upper Deck, Donruss/Playoff, SA-GE, and Press Pass.  Not only is it good to meet people from the companies, but each of them do specific promotional stuff that you can get involved with.  For example, last year if you bought at least 5 packs of any Donruss/Playoff product and then opened those packs up in front of the Donruss/Playoff booth you would receive a silver pack that contained 2 Donruss Elite football cards that you could only get at the convention.  The same goes for Press Pass, Inc.  Last year, for every Press Pass Legends football mini box you opened at their booth, you would receive a pack that inside contained a Press Pass Legends card serial numbered to 10!!!  The Topps booth was one of the busiest, because for every box of 2007 Topps baseball cards you opened up, you would receive 2 Allen & Ginter cards that could only be obtained at “The National”.  Since Allen & Ginter is such a popular product, especially for set builders, the Topps booth was just packed all day long.  The prices at “The National” aren’t too bad since there are so many dealers under one roof.  Be sure to walk around, see everything, and grab a hot dog to eat.