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Time again for this show...Sunday, March 22. A large room of 50 tables...30-40 dealers. Mostly comics and toys...previous shows there have been 2-4 non-sports dealers there including me....Nathan, give a shout out if you will be there. Please stop by and say hello as I would love to see/meet Card Talk members!

The show is moving to a new location for 2009. While the old location had many positives, promoter Tim Gordon had many challenges also and decided to make a change to the Min-Reg Building in Largo. Just a short 10 minute drive over the bridge if you are coming from Tampa....closer for those of us in Pinellas! Tim always strives (and succeeds) to put on the best show possible for fans and dealers. I think this is a good move which will only make the show better!! Dates for 2009 are: March 22, July 26, and November 8....all Sundays, so mark your calendars now.

Since it is a new location I am not sure where I will be in the room...most likely near the front. Just tell me you saw this on Card Talk and I will have some goodies for you! Also, always looking to trade/buy, so bring some stuff and lets deal!

Hope to see you there!!

David

It's times like these that I curse the fact I moved away from Zephyrhills. Looks like I'll have to take a trip to the motherland for this one!

Just a little over a week away. Recovering from MegaCon and trying to get ready for this show.

Last year at FX I had a $1 table which was a great success. FX is in April this year so I am not going to wait...breaking out the $1 table at this show. Will have tons of sets, $1 inserts and a 10 for $1 insert box...yes I am CRAZY! Will have tons of other stuff...comics, toys, games, posters, etc....its ALL GOTTA GO!

Rittenhouse was supposed to send me promos for MegaCon but I did not get them in time so I will have them at this show....X-Men Origins and Star Trek First Contact. Stop by and say hi to get some goodies!

David

OK...the truck is packed and I am going to over to set up later this afternoon.

Like I said, lots of goodies for the $1 table....come on by, get some deals and say hi!

Hope to see you there tomorrow!

David

Here is your show report:

There were many unknowns for the show this time around: as it has been for the last 18 months the state of the economy hung overhead with gloom and doom; the show had a new location moving across the bay to a new, smaller building; and the date was moved up a month and a 1/2 also.

With all these changes and challenges it was still a great show! Attendance was down slightly, but not a lot....the room had a steady flow until about 2:30 when the costume contest kicked in to gear. While smaller than the previous location, the room was bigger than I remember...I had not done a show in this building in over 10 years....and there was plenty of room for attendees and sellers. I think the new location was a success and I am looking forward to future shows there!

My table setup for this show was a little different: I had my usual 2 tables...1 was a $1 Table with all kinds of items....cards, comics, posters, toys, etc. As a result, I cut down on the cards I brought...I had all of my insert binders and about 1/2 the sets I usually bring, concentrating on comic based sets. Sales by category: Cards led the way at 38%, posters 2nd at 31%, followed by toys, comics and statues. Not as balanced as the past but substantial sales in each category.

Card sales were skewed heavily toward the $1 table...I had a $1 insert box, a 10 for $1 insert box and $1 sets on the table...they all sold very well. Regular sets did well especially considering I only brought 1/2 my inventory...sales included: DC Legacy, Ultra X-men, Star Wars Clone Wars & Galaxy 2, Marvel Series 3, Batman Masterpieces, Bloom County, Kong, and the always reliable Bettie Page...may she rest in peace.

Inserts were on the slow side again this show: Smallville autos, Royo and Buffy were about it aside from the $1 boxes.

Talk of Inkworks demise was a frequent topic. Everyone was very disappointed and curious to see who will get the popular licenses....Lost, Smallville and Twilight were the most mentioned. Although I am sad to see Inkworks go I am hopeful that a new company may step forward to lead us to the future of the hobby.

Nathan was there with a nice selection of cards, especially older cards which you do not see at this show very often...I was very jealous Nathan! Hopefully he will be along to give a report soon.

Aside from 1 comic dealer who had about 1/2 dozen wax boxes Nathan and I were the only ones in the room with any significant amount of non-sports.

Comicbook fan made the trip up...we did some chatting and trading. I hope to see you and hubby and FX next month, Cheryll!

If anyone else came to the show I would be interested in your thoughts!

I even managed to have some fun....Cliff made the trek from DeLand and we got to visit and talk a great while...always great to see the mentor from the college days!! Jim and Lisa made the trek from DeLand also. Nascar Dave and his son Antman were in the house also....Dave and I have been doing shows off and on for 15 years now. No matter how sales are 1 thing is for sure...we will always have fun at a show and yesterday was no exception!!

Again, my thanks to promoter Tim Gordon for another great show...keep up the good work, Tim!!

Next show is July 12, 2009....this is a date change from what I previously listed....hope to see you there!

My next show is FX next month in Orlando, FL.

David