ANA -vs- winter FUN...what are the fundamental differences?
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I've been to the ANA but never FUN. Looking to change that ultra-soon-like 
So what are the basic differences? I've gotten the sense that winter FUN is more of an "every mans" type of show mixed with the serious crowd, whereas the ANA is more elitist and centered around dealer-to-dealer activity.
Early American Copper, Bust and Seated.
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Hmmm, Good question!
For starters when FUN is in Orlando is always way cheaper overhead wise for dealers! So much competition between hotels, etc.
With over 20 years under my belt I will honestly say the buying opportunities at FUN are much higher than ANA shows!
The overall atmosphere after the show is way,way better than any ANA show I have attended!
Probably a few more points I could make if I thought about it a little longer!
After the show? Do I even need to ask?
Early American Copper, Bust and Seated.
The FUN show is without a doubt # one in the USA.
Any questions
The FUN show is more about coins, the ANA more about the organization. That's a gross oversimplification. They are both great shows and collectors have ample opportunity to buy/sell/trade at both.
IMO, the FUN Show beats the ANA show in every category. That's unfortunate. At one time ANA was THE SHOW. FUN was just a big show but gradually it surpassed the ANA in size and quality. One factor is definitely a fixed location in a warm place. IMO, the show is run much better too. We can all thank Cindy and the FUN organization + club volunteers for that. Again, it is the people but having the show in the same location helps. For a while, moving between Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, and Orlando due to scheduling conflicts was the pits but Orlando will be the location for several years.
Long Beach was my favorite show at one time because of all the different collectibles allowed besides coins. I've missed ever going to Las Vegas.
I'll bet that can be fun after show hours.
I prefer FUN in Tampa. BUT no matter where it is, it IMHO is the #1 show. I just know when I was on the ANA board they had a dinasour director who ran it. She would not listen to any one but old timers who added nothing. She is now gone and little has changed. Every year I debate sponsoring it.
The ANA is still a very dying group and are in more denial then anyone. I saw it first hand. I was also against them splitting up the auction.
The FUN show is far more dealer friendly. One year, virtually every flight out of the Orlando was canceled to the Northeast. FUN paid to extend the time that the security room was open by a few days so that the stranded dealers were not stuck trying to guard their inventory. There was no extra charge for that service for those who used it. You would never see the ANA do that.
Also I was a fly on the wall for some the the discussions between the ANA people who were selling tables and the dealers. Listening to them it was like extortion. You to contribute X amount of dollars or merchandise to get a better spot on the bourse. FUN does not do such things. Seniority is involved, but from my experience there were really no bad places on the FUN bourse. I got a nice spot in the middle of the room when I was rookie.
As an exhibitor, FUN is far easier to work with. You can bring your own cases and there are no hastles. The ANA said that I had have holes drilled my cases if I wanted to use them. I said nix to that. Also the FUN prizes are much better.
The FUN organizers are not full of themselves...the ANA, well you get the idea.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
FUN gives better stuff to presenters at educational sessions. If you limit your view to the bourse floor from the standpoint of a collector, they are largely the same show.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Curious why you like Tampa better?
You have good close by hotels. Easy in and out via flights. Not as many touristy things. I really do not know of the columbians ever hitting Tampa and robbing dealers (I could be wrong). Do not have to figure out where the pre show stuff is or walk through 20 diff mile long halls. I also HATE the hotels near by in Orlando.
My other fav venue: Rosemont for ANA. So they chose Pittsburgh for Mid Winter. Oh that should be grand in the snow...What there might might be one flight a day on a smaller jet where you have to buy a seat for your coins? Last I remember, the collecting base in Pittsburg was extremely small.
The Fun show seems to cater to the public with Free admission and a discounted parking fee negoiated its $10 compared to s17.😳
The ANA gave up free admission awhile back in form of daily fee for public. Dont know why ANA could just admission once 🙄
Anyone confirm the rumor
that after the ANA sold tables at the regular price they added other dealers at a fee WAY BELOW that already paid by most?
I've done it twice.
I agree, I like the Tampa venue by far the most. I like the convention center site which is right downtown and also on the water, so you don't feel like you are in tourist land but instead part of the local life since it is going on around you. In Orlando, you are in tourist heaven, the only locals you have are the ones working the tourist industry at and near the CC. In Tampa, when you walk out of the CC, locals are hanging on the boardwalk, you go to one of the downtown restaurants and you are in among locals, etc. Just a better feel. The CC in Tampa just seems more organized for going from the bourse to lot viewing to club meetings etc. The Marriott is a great hotel there in Tampa for interacting with attendees - sit at the lobby bar one evening and you will run into who's who in numismatics. Not sure if there is a similar hotel for that in Orlando - mostly more dispersed. Just what I see others might compare them differently.
In terms of ANA vs. FUN, FUN has just more of everything, more people, more coins, more club meetings, more activities by the TPG's, bigger auctions, and as noted, the Florida venues typically have alot to offer in terms of cost to be there, things for family members to do, etc. There is also the optimism of a new year and everyone seems to be buying. ANA is always good, just slightly less than FUN. I have enjoyed the rotating venues for ANA, Denver, Anaheim, Rosemont, etc.
From what I hear and understand is that when it comes to dealers I get more that say YES to FUN. I never really hear about a bad FUN show, but I hear a lot of criticism of the different ANA shows, i.e. locations and what not . Locations being the BIGGEST CRITICISM.
ANA does their best, but my lord I hear about politics and location of tables and geographical problems as they try to get around the country. I never hear much more than good things about FUN. Now, when your wife who can't understand you wanting to buy another one of "them" wants to go to FUN something's right.