HI!
I just found out that my family is planning to go to Chicago. I said that there are some conventions that i'd love to go to.....
I have some questions though:

i) What are the names of the conventions that are in Chigaco (like Comic-Con)?
ii) What are the months for the conventions?
iii) How much money would you recommend to bring with you? (no planning on buying sketches or cases... nothing big)

Thanks so much in advance
Chris

First off Chris, when are you coming to Chicago?

Paul Maiellero has two shows a year, a spring show around March, and the fall show, which is bigger, in September or October.

Wizard World is held in July or August. All these shows are in the suburbs of Chicago, not too hard to get to, but not the heart of the city.

As to money - bring as much as you can! It's not going to be enough anyway.

There are some smaller local shows on occasion, but for non-sport collectors, these are the big 3.

Hope you can attend one of these shows, they are always fun and its nice to meet other card talkers.

I moved this thread to the conventions section.

Jon

Don is absolutely right about the Chicago shows.

Full reviews for lots of Chicago area shows (many of which include things like costs of tickets/parking, etc) are on my website.

As for which to attend and how much money to bring, it depends on what you are looking to collect.

Cases are going to be pretty scarce at these shows, except potentially for very recent releases.

Wizard World is going to be the easiest to get to from Chicago, but it'll be the most expensive to attend (around $25 a day for a ticket, and $11 a day for parking). The non-sport shows typically have slightly more product.

Check out the reviews, and let us know if you have any specific questions.

Jon

lol thanks so much for the help so far.
Harris, i dont know when we are planning to go... sounds like there are a lot of shows that are good to go to. I will mention the times for the conventions, and see what we can come up with

We only live 4 hours away...
if I had a more reliable car I know I would drive myself

Chris. . .

Depending on what part of Canada you are in the Motor City show in Detroit might be another good option for you -- reviews of that show are on my site too. . .

Jon

i am near the US border.... takes like 1hr on a good day to get to Oakland mall

I will check that one out too
Which one would ya all say is better, Chicago, or Detroit's conventions?

Thanks,
Chris

They are all good shows, it really depends on what you are looking for.

Jon

Hi Chris,
My name is Paul and I run the CECE Expo. To learn more about our show, please check out the website at www.chicagolandexpo.com. Don is correct, we typically have 2 shows per year. Although, I have not announced the spring dates yet, I am waiting on the hotel to clear the dates, It will most likely be April 4 and 5, 2008.
The spring show is approx 80% nonsport cards and artists. Approx 40 tables.
There are door prizes with some nice giveaways. Typically, we also hand out promos, both mass produced and exclusive.
The fall Expo is the bigger of the shows, it is more entertainment geared, still approx 50-60% nonsports, but you will also find comic books, movie posters, DVDs, toys, misc & movie actors signing autographs as well as the artists, publishers, and sometimes a manufacturer or two.
Tha fall dates are set in stone as Sept 12-13-14,2008.Advance tickets can be purchased through our website as well.
You may check out the 2007 Fall Expo on the website as well. I still have the info up, until I get the spring info signed off on.
If you have further questions, please feel free to ask on the board or contact me directly at cecexpo@gmail.com. I would be glad to help with anything I can.
Don and Jon also mentioned other very good shows as well, Wizard World Chicago, 2008's dates will be in late June I believe, Motor City near Detroit in May.
Thanks for the inquiry and hope to see you at our show soon! Take care and have a great set of holidays.
Paul

thanks
sounds like the spring one is more what im looking for.

thanks again,
Chris