History+about+the+National




 * The National Sports Collectors ConventionA Historical Perspective** In 1980 a group of collectors gathered in a small hotel ballroom at the Los Angeles International Airport Marriott for what became the 1st National Sports Collectors Convention. From that event has come the once a year extravaganza that is the premier showcase event of the collectibles industry. Seeking to involve collectors from around the country, founders of the National stipulated that the event should move around the country to insure all collectors and exhibitors could participate. Early Nationals were held in St Louis, Chicago, Detroit as well as the NY metropolitan area. The National has grown to be a mega-event which can be housed in only a few locations in the country. But it still attracts all aspects of the collectibles industry. No other event can boast of participation by most of the licensing agencies of the major professional sports world along with dealers of vintage card and collectibles and the most current collectible products anywhere. With support from the major card manufacturers, card grading services, auction houses as well as from the licensees of these groups, the National is the event to attend each summer. The recently completed 29th National Sports Collectors Convention was held in Chicago IL at the Donald E Stephens Center. Reviews from the industry were very positive from attendees, exhibitors, manufacturers and licensors. Plans are already underway for the 29th National to be held July 29-August 2, 2009 at the International Exposition Center in Cleveland. Autograph guests at the National are legendary and last years show was no exception, starting with the "Sneak Peek" on Wednesday night. Local favorites Ferguson Jenkins, Milt Pappas and NFL Hall of Famers Jackie Smith and Roger Wehrli provided free autographs. The parade of superstar celebrities continued throughout the week. In past years, the National has hosted almost every conceivable superstar possible including Wayne Gretzky, Joe Dimaggio, Muhammad Ali, Cal Ripken Jr.,Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson, Mickey Mantle, Wilt Chamberlain, Joe Namath a  nd others. Over the past several years, the Autograph Pavilion has expanded to include entertainment celebrities including the rock group KISS, renowned director Penny Marshall plus scores of TV personalities like Cindy Williams, Ruth Buzzi, Jon Provost, Entourage's Kevin Dillon & Jerry Ferrara, Erin Moran, David Faustino and others.  The National is the event with the strongest tradition, best autograph guests, largest roster of dealers of vintage and new collectibles and the biggest selection of cards and memorabilia all under one roof. It's been said, "If you can't find what you're looking for at the National, it probably doesn't exist!" The National is the event of the year and is the place you should be in 2009 as collectors, dealers, distributors, manufacturers, licensors and everyone else in the collectibles industry all participate in the worlds most spectacular sports and entertainment collectibles industry