7th Inning Stretch with Scott Fragale - Not So Deep Thoughts: New Summer Show On The Block

Not So Deep Thoughts: New Summer Show On The Block
Posted by Tuff Stuff

One of our Tuff Stuff partners, FansEdge, has decided to jump into the show circuit, and if their initial press releases are any indication, they plan on making a big splash in their first dip in the pool.

With the first annual FansEdge Sports Spectacular show set for July 16-19, just two weeks prior to the start of The National in Cleveland, some would say the inaugural show could be a huge disaster but there's a reason the company has been one of the few to turn a profit in the last couple of years and poor decision-making isn't one of them.

Mounted Memories is handling the autograph portion of the show that will take place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., and with guests such as Cal Ripken Jr., Peyton Manning, Bill Russell, Ernie Banks, Willy Mays, Pete Rose, Dick Butkus, Brian Urlacher and Jim Brown among those scheduled to appear, it appears as though show organizers have all their bases covered. The show will also feature a Super Bowl XXXI reunion of the champion Green Bay Packers but I would bet against seeing the wishy-washy country-boy QB in the mix.

Realizing collectors, and the public in general, are still treading water after surviving last year's economic crunch, show organizers have come up with some creative ways to bring in top-notch talent at affordable prices so even the most modest collectors can acquire the signatures they covet. Among the specials the show will feature are: On Thursday night, the first 1,000 through the doors will receive a free gift and 200 people will receive a free Pete Rose autograph ticket. Organizers have put together what they're calling a "Hobby Stimulus Plan" for guests who attend the show on Friday. "Price Rollback Day" will feature 16 different athletes including Rose, Brown, Butkus, Urlacher and others, signing autographs at reduced rates more reminiscent of days gone by so more collectors can afford to join in on the fun.

On the final two days of the show, the first 2,500 people through the doors will receive a free Dick Butkus autograph ticket and on Sunday, 200 people will receive a free Gale Sayers autograph ticket. Two free HOFers in two days is something you just don't see at shows so collectors should take advantage of the offer because you may never see anything like again.

While we here at Tuff Stuff and F&W Media will always be rooting for The National to do well because a successful show strengthens the hobby and a strong hobby will always be our hope, but it's refreshing to see a new company emerge and give collectors some other affordable options. Only time will tell if the FansEdge Show will stand the test of time but I for one, hope this is the first of many such shows.

Thursday, May 28, 2009 9:36:00 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

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