Friday, March 04, 2005
Exodous from Ilikai
Congratulations to Richard McWilliams, head man at Upper Deck, who yesterday was named the most influential person in the sports card hobby over the last two decades. Griffey rookie....holograms....patch cards.....lucky.
I am out of here this morning, as are many other attendees. Final comments are officially being spoken around noon in the conference room. I will ask the handful who sit in attendance to fill me in later. Meanwhile, the other 400 or so conferencers are off to other islands or back to the mainland.
I am out of here this morning, as are many other attendees. Final comments are officially being spoken around noon in the conference room. I will ask the handful who sit in attendance to fill me in later. Meanwhile, the other 400 or so conferencers are off to other islands or back to the mainland.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Pack Rat, Pack That Now
OK, inside tip to Hawaii Trade Conference Attendees: Today is the day to visit the business center. Let me explain.
As Beckett Blogger 2 mentioned, Meet the Industy cascades the loot onto attendees. What usually happens is that most people go back to their rooms and start packing on Thursday nights.
Most suitcases cannot be zipped shut or even close, and many people have a Friday morning or afternoon flight. The result is Friday morning crush of people at the Ilikai business center/UPS/FedEX drop off point, all looking for boxes, shipping tags, etc., to ship their wax, die casts, tote bags, back packs, drink coasters, Kona coffee bags and other swag back to their offices where they will generously share the loot with those office pals who have supported them in Hawaii.
Imagine all of this in an area about the size of a hotel guest room. So, if you are reading this in Hawaii, beat the crowd and ship on Thursday. If you know someone who's here, give them a heads up.
Me? I'm already packed! Off to the conference.
As Beckett Blogger 2 mentioned, Meet the Industy cascades the loot onto attendees. What usually happens is that most people go back to their rooms and start packing on Thursday nights.
Most suitcases cannot be zipped shut or even close, and many people have a Friday morning or afternoon flight. The result is Friday morning crush of people at the Ilikai business center/UPS/FedEX drop off point, all looking for boxes, shipping tags, etc., to ship their wax, die casts, tote bags, back packs, drink coasters, Kona coffee bags and other swag back to their offices where they will generously share the loot with those office pals who have supported them in Hawaii.
Imagine all of this in an area about the size of a hotel guest room. So, if you are reading this in Hawaii, beat the crowd and ship on Thursday. If you know someone who's here, give them a heads up.
Me? I'm already packed! Off to the conference.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Day One of Meet the Industry and other happenings
One of the most anticipated aspects of every Hawaii Trade Conference is the goodie-saturated Meet the Industry presentations, and this year's conference is certainly no different.
In short, a wide-ranging roster of industry manufacturers conduct 15-minute presentations for the assembled mini masses in an effort to preview upcoming products, shed a little light on new products and company initiatives and solicit feedback when necessary.
Every 15-minute presentation ends with a bang -- an array of company giveaways that are sure to make lasting impressions on dealers, distributors and other industry heavyweights in attendance.
The two-day Meet the Industry event kicked off on Wednesday with eight entities. Following is the list and, more importantly, the list of giveaways:
Donruss Playoff -- The ever-popular "black boxes" were a hit once again this year and included four specially stamped 2005 Diamond Kings cards (#'d to 10) and four specially stamped 2004 Playoff Contenders cards (#'d to 25). Each box also yielded a certified autograph card -- either a previously unreleased Frank Robinson cut autograph from 2004 Leather & Lumber or a dual-signed conference-exclusive autographed card showcasing 2004's top NFL rookies. Dual-signed and quad-signed cards were numbered to 10, cards featuring six autographs were numbered to 5.
Nintendo America -- The folks from Nintendo America discussed their Pokemon plans for 2005, and encouraged dealers to get involved in a store contest, with the grand-prize winner getting $10,000 for a store makeover. Everyone in attendance received a Pokemon promotional box.
Blogger's Note: As proof positive that those in attendance here at the conference really do work, this blooger has a 4 p.m. meeting pending and has to high-tail it. I'll finish this up in another blog later today.
PhotoFile --
RC2/Press Pass
Topps
Ultra Pro
Upper Deck
Upper Deck Authenticated
In short, a wide-ranging roster of industry manufacturers conduct 15-minute presentations for the assembled mini masses in an effort to preview upcoming products, shed a little light on new products and company initiatives and solicit feedback when necessary.
Every 15-minute presentation ends with a bang -- an array of company giveaways that are sure to make lasting impressions on dealers, distributors and other industry heavyweights in attendance.
The two-day Meet the Industry event kicked off on Wednesday with eight entities. Following is the list and, more importantly, the list of giveaways:
Donruss Playoff -- The ever-popular "black boxes" were a hit once again this year and included four specially stamped 2005 Diamond Kings cards (#'d to 10) and four specially stamped 2004 Playoff Contenders cards (#'d to 25). Each box also yielded a certified autograph card -- either a previously unreleased Frank Robinson cut autograph from 2004 Leather & Lumber or a dual-signed conference-exclusive autographed card showcasing 2004's top NFL rookies. Dual-signed and quad-signed cards were numbered to 10, cards featuring six autographs were numbered to 5.
Nintendo America -- The folks from Nintendo America discussed their Pokemon plans for 2005, and encouraged dealers to get involved in a store contest, with the grand-prize winner getting $10,000 for a store makeover. Everyone in attendance received a Pokemon promotional box.
Blogger's Note: As proof positive that those in attendance here at the conference really do work, this blooger has a 4 p.m. meeting pending and has to high-tail it. I'll finish this up in another blog later today.
PhotoFile --
RC2/Press Pass
Topps
Ultra Pro
Upper Deck
Upper Deck Authenticated
Pete on Steroids = Less, not more hits
Beckett Blogger 2 dumped his notebook in “Random Shots”. My two cents are in italics:
___________________________________________
The University of Mississippi's own Dr. Kim Beason on Tuesday morning revealed some pretty interesting nuggets from his recently conducted collecting habits survey.
The survey incorporated responses from 353 people, more than 70 percent of whom considered themselves collectors.
Among the more interesting tidbits from Dr. Beason's survey:
* 82 percent of the more than 350 respondents were between the ages of 30 and 60, and 53 percent were 48 or older.
Given these demographics, Larry and Jeff Fritsch are poised to become the major “vintage distributor” of 1970s product.
* 89.8 percent of the collectors in the survey said they collected for fun, as opposed to 64.3 percent who collected for the thrill. Just 59.2 percent of respondents said they collected for the investment potential.
I think the 9 out of 10 who collect for fun do so for the thrill of the investment, and therein lies their “fun”.
* Perhaps most promisingly, 70 percent of the non-collectors in the survey said they would collect again if there were fewer cards, fewer sets and lower costs associated with trading cards.
This year, there will be more than 250 different products released over 52 weeks, so good luck on enticing these non-collectors back in 2005.
Overheard:
'If I'd taken steroids when I played I would have had 6,000 hits.' -- Pete Rose, baseball's all-time hits leader
If Rose had hit the ball further his whole career, all those thousands of slash and dump singles would have become line drive outs.
___________________________________________
The University of Mississippi's own Dr. Kim Beason on Tuesday morning revealed some pretty interesting nuggets from his recently conducted collecting habits survey.
The survey incorporated responses from 353 people, more than 70 percent of whom considered themselves collectors.
Among the more interesting tidbits from Dr. Beason's survey:
* 82 percent of the more than 350 respondents were between the ages of 30 and 60, and 53 percent were 48 or older.
Given these demographics, Larry and Jeff Fritsch are poised to become the major “vintage distributor” of 1970s product.
* 89.8 percent of the collectors in the survey said they collected for fun, as opposed to 64.3 percent who collected for the thrill. Just 59.2 percent of respondents said they collected for the investment potential.
I think the 9 out of 10 who collect for fun do so for the thrill of the investment, and therein lies their “fun”.
* Perhaps most promisingly, 70 percent of the non-collectors in the survey said they would collect again if there were fewer cards, fewer sets and lower costs associated with trading cards.
This year, there will be more than 250 different products released over 52 weeks, so good luck on enticing these non-collectors back in 2005.
Overheard:
'If I'd taken steroids when I played I would have had 6,000 hits.' -- Pete Rose, baseball's all-time hits leader
If Rose had hit the ball further his whole career, all those thousands of slash and dump singles would have become line drive outs.
Random Shots
The University of Mississippi's own Dr. Kim Beason on Tuesday morning revealed some pretty interesting nuggets from his recently conducted collecting habits survey.
The survey incorporated responses from 353 people, more than 70 percent of whom considered themselves collectors.
Among the more interesting tidbits from Dr. Beason's survey:
* 82 percent of the more than 350 respondents were between the ages of 30 and 60, and 53 percent were 48 orolder
* 89.8 percent of the collectors in the survey said they collected for fun, as opposed to 64.3 percent who collected for the thrill. Just 59.2 percent of respondents said they collected for the investment potential.
* Perhaps most promisingly, 70 percent of the non-collectors in the survey said they would collect again if there were fewer cards, fewer sets and lower costs associated with trading cards.
Beason's final thoughts: The trading card market has reached a plateau but excitement remains high; the market is aging but collecting is fun and younger consumers are optimistic.
Overheard:
"If I'd taken steroids when I played I would have had 6,000 hits." -- Pete Rose, baseball's all-time hits leader
The survey incorporated responses from 353 people, more than 70 percent of whom considered themselves collectors.
Among the more interesting tidbits from Dr. Beason's survey:
* 82 percent of the more than 350 respondents were between the ages of 30 and 60, and 53 percent were 48 orolder
* 89.8 percent of the collectors in the survey said they collected for fun, as opposed to 64.3 percent who collected for the thrill. Just 59.2 percent of respondents said they collected for the investment potential.
* Perhaps most promisingly, 70 percent of the non-collectors in the survey said they would collect again if there were fewer cards, fewer sets and lower costs associated with trading cards.
Beason's final thoughts: The trading card market has reached a plateau but excitement remains high; the market is aging but collecting is fun and younger consumers are optimistic.
Overheard:
"If I'd taken steroids when I played I would have had 6,000 hits." -- Pete Rose, baseball's all-time hits leader
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
One for the Thumb -- BGS Wins Again
For the fifth consecutive year, Beckett Grading Services has been named Grading Service of the Year by Card Trade Magazine.Grading customers should take note of the continuted vote of confidence from the votes cast annually by industry buyers and sellers of graded cards.
At right, BGS President Mark Harwell (right)accepts the award from Krause Publications' Dean Listle.
Truly an Upper Deck performance
Perhaps it was the oversized mock Upper Deck golf tees on selected holes. Or the incredible Upper Deck topiary on the 12th tee block. Or the floating Upper Deck diamond signage near the picturesque island green. Or the Upper Deck welcome signs .. the corporate logos on every golf cart ... the Upper Deck hats given pre-sunburn to every participating golfer.
Or maybe it was Upper Deck logoed golf balls.
Credit Upper Deck's events team for creating likely the most exquisitely branded event in the history of the Hawaii conference. From the moment 100 golfers entered the Launa Hills property Monday, they were reminded via unique logo placement, cool commemorative product and incredibly creative signage that Upper Deck knows how to throw a party.
Even the Launa Hills pin flags carried the Upper Deck logo during this memorable golf outing.
In event planning, it's the little things that create big successes.
Monday, Upper Deck hit all the shots.
Or maybe it was Upper Deck logoed golf balls.
Credit Upper Deck's events team for creating likely the most exquisitely branded event in the history of the Hawaii conference. From the moment 100 golfers entered the Launa Hills property Monday, they were reminded via unique logo placement, cool commemorative product and incredibly creative signage that Upper Deck knows how to throw a party.
Even the Launa Hills pin flags carried the Upper Deck logo during this memorable golf outing.
In event planning, it's the little things that create big successes.
Monday, Upper Deck hit all the shots.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Nobody Went Home Hungry
Major League Baseball once again came through on Day 1 of the Hawaii Trade Conference with another outstanding kickoff reception Monday at sunset on the lagoon lawn of the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort. Food and drink flowed freely on the breezy, warm evening. Various carving stations satisfied conference attendees, while children in attendance seemed uncomfortable looking at the face and snout of a whole, barbecued pig.
Earlier in the day, word was out unofficially that the winning score in the Upper Deck scramble was around 6 under. Par for the course for most players was a rosy sunburn -- ouch.
Beckett Media hosted a reception at the top of the hosting Ilikai Hotel for conferencers to meet and greet its recently named CEO, Peter Gudmundson, who on his first afternoon in Honolulu shook more hands than an underdog congressional candidate the week before elections. And conference founders Kit and Patti Young, as usual, managed to make gracious appearances at all functions.
Organizers of the National Sports Collectors Convention polished off the evening with an invitation-based dinner at Hy's Restaurant. Gluttony and good times were the watchword of this old school fine steak event. Most dinner guests left dreading even the thought of facing a plate of food at breakfast.
On Tuesday, official sessions and addresses begin. More on that later.
Earlier in the day, word was out unofficially that the winning score in the Upper Deck scramble was around 6 under. Par for the course for most players was a rosy sunburn -- ouch.
Beckett Media hosted a reception at the top of the hosting Ilikai Hotel for conferencers to meet and greet its recently named CEO, Peter Gudmundson, who on his first afternoon in Honolulu shook more hands than an underdog congressional candidate the week before elections. And conference founders Kit and Patti Young, as usual, managed to make gracious appearances at all functions.
Organizers of the National Sports Collectors Convention polished off the evening with an invitation-based dinner at Hy's Restaurant. Gluttony and good times were the watchword of this old school fine steak event. Most dinner guests left dreading even the thought of facing a plate of food at breakfast.
On Tuesday, official sessions and addresses begin. More on that later.
Yankee Coaster
Hey, I told you there are some neat freebies here at Hawaii XX. A bellman brought up these cool coasters and a mini bottle of champagne last night, courtesy of Upper Deck. Really cool, and really heavy...they are made of tumbled marble. Ruth, Gehrig and Mantle will now peer up at me from the bottom of every sweaty glass for the rest of the week. Thanks Upper Deck, for a neat surprise.
Bobble Headed Wave Runners
Locals flooded the Waikiki beach access trails this morning carrying surfboards. Word is, the waves are up today. The result for Hawaii XX Trade Conference attendees is a new meaning to the term "bobbin' heads", as we can see hundreds of surfers bobbing up and down waiting to catch a wave just a few hundred yards from the Ilikai meeting rooms.
Well, maybe it's a few thousand yards to the beach, instead of a few hundred. The Ilikai, built in 1963 as apartments, seemingly still provides housing for some of its original residents. It is hardly beachfront and probably past its prime but always a welcoming, comfortable and gracious conference host for years. In fact, for $140 a night for a downtown hotel room at the trailhead of Waikiki, I've come to like it.
Nagging question: Will the Ilikai have the opportunity to open its arms to the 2006 Trade Conference? Will the the Trade Conference start its third decade in Hawaii at all? And, is Don Ho still performing nightly?
That's what we want to know, too. We'll try to find out.
Well, maybe it's a few thousand yards to the beach, instead of a few hundred. The Ilikai, built in 1963 as apartments, seemingly still provides housing for some of its original residents. It is hardly beachfront and probably past its prime but always a welcoming, comfortable and gracious conference host for years. In fact, for $140 a night for a downtown hotel room at the trailhead of Waikiki, I've come to like it.
Nagging question: Will the Ilikai have the opportunity to open its arms to the 2006 Trade Conference? Will the the Trade Conference start its third decade in Hawaii at all? And, is Don Ho still performing nightly?
That's what we want to know, too. We'll try to find out.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Press Pass honors leaders
Press Pass/Racing Champions hosted the conference's first official event -- a welcome reception at the Ilikai Hotel Sunday afternoon. During the event, Press Pass marketing chief Tom Farrell displayed a unique Hawaii-only diecast collectible that will be distributed to each attendee at Wednesday's Meet the Industry session.
In addition, Press Pass honored key Hawaii players -- including Beckett founder Dr. James Beckett, Hawaii conference founders Kit & Patti Young, National Convention execs Mike Berkus and Bob Wilke, and Krause execs Dean Listle and Hugh McAloon -- with special silver and gold editions of the die-cast piece.
In addition, Press Pass honored key Hawaii players -- including Beckett founder Dr. James Beckett, Hawaii conference founders Kit & Patti Young, National Convention execs Mike Berkus and Bob Wilke, and Krause execs Dean Listle and Hugh McAloon -- with special silver and gold editions of the die-cast piece.
Sunny Sunday on Oahu
Here in Honolulu on Sunday afternoon, the sun is shining. That's great news for attendees of the Hawaii XX Trade Conference, since last year's conference featured showers and thunderstorms much of the week.
Before dawn this morning, many early arrivers were seen toting golf bags out into the pre-dawn darkness.
The much anticipated Upper Deck Golf Tournament tomorrow at Luana Hills Country Club has a lot of the guys already talking smack. For those who have seen the golf skills of attendees of this event, one thing is certain: Many, many, many balls will be lost.
Before dawn this morning, many early arrivers were seen toting golf bags out into the pre-dawn darkness.
The much anticipated Upper Deck Golf Tournament tomorrow at Luana Hills Country Club has a lot of the guys already talking smack. For those who have seen the golf skills of attendees of this event, one thing is certain: Many, many, many balls will be lost.
blog.beckett.com -- Blogged Down in Hawaii with Rewards
WELCOME to blog.beckett.com where we will post into this blog from the 20th Annual Hawaii Trade Conference all this week.
Beckett Media has so many REWARD certificates to give away to conference attendees during the week that it took a dedicated suitcase to send it all.
The Reward Certificates are free offerings of the business services provided by Beckett Media -- some of the rewards are valued at up to $1,000.
Check back often to find out what's going on at the Conference, the latest new products coming out, who's winning what, and even the latest word on the street from the Ilikai Hotel in downtown Honolulu.
Beckett Media has so many REWARD certificates to give away to conference attendees during the week that it took a dedicated suitcase to send it all.
The Reward Certificates are free offerings of the business services provided by Beckett Media -- some of the rewards are valued at up to $1,000.
Check back often to find out what's going on at the Conference, the latest new products coming out, who's winning what, and even the latest word on the street from the Ilikai Hotel in downtown Honolulu.
