The National Sports Collectors Convention - By: Frank James Howard

The year was 1980 when an assortment of sports card collectors came together at a hotel in Los Angeles for what later became known as the First National Sports Collectors Convention. That meeting evolved into the annual spectacular that is now the number one meeting for the entire sports card and memorabilia industry. Hoping to appeal to a larger group of collectors, the pioneers of The National Convention decided that the convention should take place at various places so that sports hobby enthusiasts from all over could take part in the event. In the early going, The National Sports Collectors Convention occurred in Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, and the New York metro area.

The National Convention has since grown at a prestigious rate, becoming a enormous event that can only be held by a handful of cities in the country. However, that hasn't prevented the event from attracting people from every corner of the industry. It is the only event where the majority of the people in the hobby come together to meet in one place. The National is where every sports memorabilia wants to be , largely due to all of the support from major card producers, sports card graders, auction houses, and these groups' licensees.

The 30th National Sports Collectors Convention happened in early August in Cleveland, Ohio, at the Cleveland's International Exposition Center. Reviews of the event were exuberant from visitors, licensors, manufacturers, and exhibitors. The 31th National is already being arranged for 2010, when sports collectors will converge in Baltimore, Maryland for the show.

The National's list of autograph guests are legendary. In years past, the National has featured a countless list of superstars to sign autographs at the shows. Past autograph signers include Wayne Gretzky, Cal Ripken Jr., Wilt Chamberlain, Joe Namath, Shaquille O'Neal, Mickey Mantle, Ferguson Jenkins, Joe Dimaggio, Magic Johnson , as well as a seemingly endless procession of other great athletes. Several years ago the National's Autograph Pavillion has added celebrities from the entertainment world to the show. Non athlete autograph signers to have appeared at the show include KISS, Ruth Buzzi, Erin Moran, David Faustino, Jon Provost, Cindy Williams, Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Dillon.

The National is the largest sports collectibles event with the best tradition, the most exciting autograph roster, the widest variety of sports collectibles dealers, and the largest display of sports collectibles, all in one place. People have taken to saying, "If you can't find what you're looking for at the National, it probably doesn't exist!" The National is where every collector, dealer, distributor, and manufacturer will be in 2010 to take part in the biggest sports memorabilia event of the year.

Back in 1980 a of sports memorabilia collectors convened at a Los Angeles area hotel for what would become the 1st National Sports Collectors Convention.

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