FUN Show Report

burdell

This was my 9th consecutive Winter FUN show. I attended Thursday and Friday. I recuperated Saturday! I'm writing Sunday.

Last year, I reported my play-by play. This year I'll generally report a more macro viewpoint.

First, I strongly encourage everyone to make the pilgrimage to a Winter FUN or Summer ANA at least once in their lifetime. No matter what you collect, you will be blown away. Buying or selling is part of it. Personal interaction with so many dealers and other collectors with similar interests is beyond your imagination. The Club tables have people with a wealth of knowledge!

FUN was held at OCCC West and this was the first time I recall it wasn't accompanied by another event such as the surfer dudes & dudettes or techies. So, the parking lot was a general indicator of attendance and I spoke with the parking attendants. (Everyone, no matter what you do, has proprietary knowledge and insights!) They confirmed what I saw inside the show. Thursday was jammed. Friday was roughly half that.

Thursday was jammed 1000am-230pm (the busiest I have ever seen) and very light 230pm-530pm. People were scattered across the floor right away and every dealer across the entire collecting spectrum had 2-3 people at their table. The point is that people had their targets in mind and went there quickly. The PCGS coin submission line was 10-25 people much of the day.

The attendance was smaller on Friday. I observed the activity at coin dealers we all know was active and constant, while activity at many of the dealers with currency, 2x2s, and Fiji Marvel whatchamacallits was slow.

Wholesalers were more obvious than I recall. Large booths, younger people, computers, safes, few coins displayed... just a bit more prominent. They just seemed to take up more floor space.

I did not buy any coins. I really did not expect to, because of my narrow collecting interests. I go to meet dealers with whom I might work in the future and see dealers I do business with now. Relationships matter when you are competing with other collectors for the dealer's attention regarding better or specific coins.

I bought a book at David Kahn's. "Bad Metal" by Winston Zack. Here's a big hint: don't buy books early in the day and lug it around for hours like me.

Special mention to Brian Kendrella @StacksBowersGalleries - super guy, very approachable, genuine.. what can I say... I was impressed. SBG has made big improvements to their website particularly the archives. Kudos!

I thoroughly enjoyed the PCGS luncheon with Roger @mustanggt and tablemates. Thank you Todd @blu62vette !

I placed my one max bid in the Heritage auction, 8 bid increments (~2000) above current bid and at about full retail before heading to the Friday night CU Forum get together (now being referred to as BE2, the meaning of which I have no idea). Well, the winning bid turned out to be 1 increment above my max. I will not be happy if a certain crack-out dealer bought it. So many ruined coins.

A fitting conclusion to my 2 days in Orlando was the Friday night get together. Very special thanks to @spacehayduke who is the social chairman. I need to specially thank him and @BillJones for listening to me babbling on. They were kind listeners. Give me a drink and I can't shut up! Great speaking with @Kkathyl who posted a terrific picture of the group. Outstanding to meet the real people behind the forum names. All ages, backgrounds, regions, expertise.... with a common interest. Real people. Something to remember when drama arises.

Hemispherical

Thanks for your show report @burdell.

Good point on not buying books early!

Kkathyl

Great Great summation of what I observed as well and I really appreciate the shout out as I try to stay in the collecting business as a career not just for my passion of collecting. The real feel for the business is attending a show like this. For me it was like a vacation with friends you know but never seen in person. Others who know me from being in strong hand back office understand I started collecting only 4 years ago but understand all work/processes involved from a business perspective. So Now we have meet face to face, and I am so pleased with everyone that I got to chat with, shake hands and yea Hugs too. 😁
The newbies at tables give us all hope for a continued collecting environment. Tech can be scary for some, but also allows us for reaching out farther than the towns boarder. I see good thing to come for Coin & bullion.

Great report @burdell

Kathy 💕

Desert Moon

Burdell,
Was great to listen to your research ideas at the Big Event 2 (BE2). Great report above and excellent insights.

Best, SH

jonruns

Great report thanks for sharing...it really sounds like everyone had a great time!

Jimnight

Thank you!!!

ricko

Thanks for an excellent show report.... the BE2 really seem to the 'the event' to attend at FUN....Cheers, RickO

Tom147

I've been reading all the different FUN show reports. YOU sir just pushed me over the edge. Just Google mapped it out. 14 hour drive. I'm gonna start planning for it. I'LL BE THERE NEXT YEAR.

Rollerman

I usually buy books first and ask the dealer to hold them for me because as you noted, lugging books around the show gets old.

amwldcoin

LOL on lugging the books around. Years ago when I was selling seashells at shows I sold a guy a Triton that was 16 inches long with an aperture big enough to wear as a hat. He bought it, standing there looking at it and holding it asked, can I leave this here until I'm ready to go?

divecchia

Very nice show report. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.

One day I hope to make the pilgrimage to a FUN show.

Donato

Dave99B

Super show report. I’ve just added the FUN to my bucket list. Couldn’t take it any longer. Thanks again.

Dave

oreville

Fabulous show report. I did not realize by obsessively attending the Friday night Heritage Signature auctions all these years, I was missing such a great Friday night get together dinner for PCGS members!

How many years of this annual dinner did I miss?

This year was the third year in a row I missed the entire FUN show due to a conflict in my schedule and I admit I terribly miss the show.

ScarsdaleCoin

Hey miss seeing you these past years. Hope to catch up one of these days

@oreville said:
Fabulous show report. I did not realize by obsessively attending the Friday night Heritage Signature auctions all these years, I was missing such a great Friday night get together dinner for PCGS members!

How many years of this annual dinner did I miss?

This year was the third year in a row I missed the entire FUN show due to a conflict in my schedule and I admit I terribly miss the show.

oih82w8

One of these years I will attend FUN. Thank you for your report.