National Sports Collectors Convention: The pros and cons of having a winter show

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Summer is right around the corner, but just like so many other events we looked forward to this year, the status of the National Sports Collectors Convention remains unclear.

NSCC officials recently announced that the show would get delayed, tentatively pushing the date back from the summer to December 12-16, 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The news wasn’t surprising given how New Jersey has been one of the hardest hit states and the Atlantic City Convention Center is being used as makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients.

The possibility of a National this winter comes with so many unknowns. Will it be safe by then? Will large gatherings be allowed to reopen? Will it attract enough customers to make it worthwhile to dealers?

And what if it snows?

Here’s a look at the pros and cons at having a winter National.

Pro: The National Sports Collectors Convention actually happens

Maybe.

While it seems things in New Jersey are slowly reopening, we have no idea what the winter will bring. It could bring another wave of COVID-19 or it could bring relief to an area that has been negatively impacted economically.

If the National actually goes on in December, it’s a good sign that things are headed in the right direction for the country.

Card collecting is hot right now, but only if you are doing it from the safe confines of your home.

Con: Bad timing

The timing of the NSCC is rough.

It’s during Hanukah and right before Christmas. Many people take time off in December to spend with family.

They will also have a hard time justifying big purchases when holiday gifts will be a high priority. In addition, store owners who set up at the National will have to decide how to staff their stores during a very high-traffic time.

Even if the threat from COVID-19 has diminished, there will be many people who will sit this one out due to the timing of the show.

And while autographs from current or former athletes are usually a major draw of the National, many usual signers, especially those who are above the age of 60 and may be more susceptible to additional risks from COVID-19, will likely be wary of facing crowds and interacting with strangers.

The show is also tentatively scheduled for Saturday-Wednesday. If the NSCC goes on, It’d be better off as a two-day event instead of trying to cram in all five days.

Pro: Good time to buy a last-minute holiday gift

If you’re really stuck on what to get a sports-loving friend or family member and tired of buying off of eBay, the National is a great time to find something they would love. It could be a unique item or a card of their favorite player.

It’s a perfect place to find presents.

Also, there are outlet stores near the casinos and Convention Center. There are plenty of deals to be had.

Con: Social distancing at a card show

With so many uncertainties, one of them includes social distancing guidelines. While indoors, do you still need to remain six feet apart? Will you have to wear masks or gloves?

These are all questions that can’t be answered yet, but have to be considered since a regular National draws thousands of fans. Will tables be limited to a certain amount of customers? Will tables be spread apart more?

It’s difficult to social distance at a card show, especially when digging through quarter boxes to find good value on cards.

Pro: Hotels are usually cheaper in AC at this time

Given Atlantic City pretty much becomes a ghost town in the winter, hotel rooms are usually cheaper – especially on weekdays.

Flying into Atlantic City might be expensive (see above on the “bad timing”), but the hotel itself should be inexpensive, especially compared to summer rates. That’s one place where collectors should be able to save money.

And you can stay in one of the casinos where the rooms are generally nice, have 24-hour food service and slots!

Con: December in Atlantic City is depressing

The reason rooms are so cheap? Atlantic City is really depressing in the winter.

Many of the casinos are on the Boardwalk, which means the beach. It’s windy and cold and gray in December, and it could snow. Many of the stores on the Boardwalk are closed because there is no reason to be open since they aren’t making money.

Take it from someone who lived down the shore for many years.

With so many uncertainties and questions about where this country will be in winter, it’s a wonder if the National will happen at all in 2020.